Hazard identification is the cornerstone of a robust Aviation Safety Management System. Without pinpointing potential risks—be it human errors, equipment failures, or environmental factors—aviation operations are vulnerable to accidents. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates hazard identification as a core component of FAA Part 5 compliance, emphasizing proactive risk management.
We often hear aviation safety is non-negotiable. For safety managers, ensuring high standards across operations is a daily commitment that
Topics: 3-Safety Assurance
Aviation safety is paramount, and for safety managers, conducting thorough incident investigations is a critical responsibility.
Whether addressing accidents or near-misses, understanding the root causes and implementing effective corrective actions can prevent future occurrences and enhance safety protocols. This article explores the importance of incident investigations, the role of root cause analysis (RCA), and the steps to develop corrective actions that ensure a safer aviation environment.
Managing and documenting safety risks is a cornerstone of an effective Safety Management System (SMS) in aviation. Required by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and national regulators like the FAA and EASA, a robust risk management process helps airlines, airports, and other aviation organizations identify, assess, and mitigate hazards before they escalate into incidents.
Proper documentation ensures
This article provides a step-by-step guide to managing and documenting safety risks in aviation SMS, offering practical strategies to enhance safety and streamline operations.
Fatigue is a critical safety concern in aviation, where human performance directly impacts operational outcomes. Integrating a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) into an Aviation Safety Management System (SMS) enhances safety by proactively addressing fatigue-related risks.
This article explores the importance, benefits, and practical steps of integrating FRMS into aviation SMS.
Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management
For new aviation safety managers, writing a system description for a Safety Management System (SMS) can feel daunting. The system description is a foundational document that summarizes an organization’s processes, activities, and interfaces, serving as the starting point for hazard identification and safety risk assessment.
It outlines the aviation system in which the organization operates, including internal and external entities, authorities, and interfaces that contribute to safe service delivery.
A well-crafted system description is critical for implementing an effective SMS, ensuring compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 19 and national regulations like the FAA’s 14 CFR Part 5 or EASA’s requirements. This article provides actionable tips to help aviation safety managers quickly and effectively write a system description, streamlining the process while meeting regulatory and operational needs.
Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation, 2-Safety Risk Management, FAA Compliance
In Canada, the requirement for a formal Safety Management System (SMS) under the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) applies to specific categories of air operators and organizations, as outlined in CAR 107 and related subparts.
Based on the regulations and their applicability to CAR 702, 703, 704, 706, 571, and 573, here’s which of these require a formal SMS as of year 2025:
Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation, Risk Management Training
Training staff on Safety Management System (SMS) concepts can be a daunting task for new aviation safety managers, especially when guiding accountable executives—senior leaders responsible for SMS oversight.
A critical component of SMS is the safety policy, which includes clear commitments to continuous improvement, compliance, and resource allocation. These commitments, endorsed by the accountable executive, signal an organization’s dedication to safety and regulatory adherence, as mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and national authorities like the FAA or EASA.
Topics: 4-Safety Promotion, 3-Safety Assurance, 1-Safety Policy, Risk Management Training, FAA Compliance, Safety Culture
Below is a detailed description of how SMS Pro (asms-pro.com), a web-based aviation Safety Management System (SMS) software, addresses the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR) 107 requirements for aviation service providers. Each CAR 107 requirement is mapped to SMS Pro’s capabilities, with specific modules identified where applicable, based on information from the SMS Pro website and related sources. The response also notes any potential limitations where SMS Pro may not fully address a requirement.
Topics: Key Performance Indicators, Aviation SMS Database, 4-Safety Promotion, 3-Safety Assurance, 1-Safety Policy, 2-Safety Risk Management, Quality-Safety Management
SMS Pro is a comprehensive SMS database tailored for aviation service providers, including airlines, airports, maintenance organizations, flight schools, and more. Its modular design and aviation-specific functionality make it an effective tool for meeting FAA Part 5 audit requirements.
Below, we analyze how SMS Pro aligns with each component of FAA Part 5, supported by its documented features and industry insights.
Topics: 4-Safety Promotion, 3-Safety Assurance, Risk Management Software, 1-Safety Policy, 2-Safety Risk Management, FAA Compliance
These two on-demand videos offer:
