Introduction: A Vision for Safer Skies

Safety Management Systems (SMS) are the cornerstone of modern aviation safety, transforming how airlines, airports, and other operators manage risks. Born from the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) November 2006 mandate, SMS required a structured approach to hazard identification and risk management. But for many operators, early solutions were clunky, generic, or unscalable. This is the story of how SMS Pro, a leading aviation SMS software, emerged from a vision to create a user-friendly, scalable tool tailored for the aviation industry. From its challenging beginnings to its global adoption by airlines, airports, biz jet operators, maintenance organizations, flight schools, and fixed-base operators (FBOs), SMS Pro’s journey is one of perseverance, innovation, and loss. Written from the perspective of the SMS Pro development team, led by Chris Howell, this account offers full disclosure while honoring the contributions—and tragedies—that shaped its path.

The ICAO Mandate: A Call for Change

In November 2006, ICAO mandated SMS for aviation operators worldwide, later formalized in Annex 19. This directive required organizations to implement systematic processes for identifying hazards, managing risks, and fostering a safety culture. Regulatory bodies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and Transport Canada followed with frameworks like FAA Part 5 and EASA’s SMS regulations. The mandate was a game-changer, but it posed challenges: operators, from small FBOs to global airlines, struggled with complex requirements and inadequate tools. Paper-based systems or generic software couldn’t handle the diverse needs of aviation segments or scale across organizations of varying sizes. The industry needed a solution that was intuitive, aviation-specific, and compliant with global standards.

The Spark: A Disappointing Demo and a New Vision

In 2007, Chris Howell, a software developer with Northwest Data Solutions (NWDS), and Brendan McCormack, an aviation safety manager with an MBA in aviation safety, met during an MBA Executive Leadership course taught by General Tom Casey. Brendan, working for a large oil company, had seen a demo of Intelex, a safety management software pitched to aviation operators. He found it lacking: the interface was cumbersome, it wasn’t tailored to aviation’s unique needs, and it failed to scale for small operators or diverse segments like MROs or ATC providers. Inspired to fill this gap, Brendan envisioned a web-based, aviation-specific SMS tool. He partnered with Chris, whose expertise in enterprise-level web applications (using Microsoft .NET, SQL Server, and DotNetNuke) made him the ideal collaborator. Brendan coined the name “SMS Pro”—standing for SMS Professional or SMS Program—and the journey began.

Early Days: Building SMS Pro Amid Challenges

In mid-2007, Chris, Brendan, and NWDS software engineer Roman Mikheev started developing SMS Pro. The initial focus was a basic hazard reporting and risk management system, launched with modules like “Submit an Issue,” “Issue Manager,” and “Flight Risk Assessment Tool” (FRAT). By January 2008, SMS Pro went live with its first paying customer, Flair Airlines, a Canadian airline Brendan connected with during an SMS training course hosted by the Southern California Safety Institute (SCSI). Evergreen Helicopters joined in May 2008. Excitement was high, with beta testers like Ford, Yum, and FedEx praising the product. However, sales were slow. The U.S. lagged behind Canada and Australia in SMS adoption, and convincing management to invest in a non-mandatory tool was tough.

The team faced a devastating setback in February 2008 when Jerry Dennis, director of the FAA-funded Medallion Foundation in Alaska, passed away suddenly. Jerry, a respected figure known for promoting Alaska’s “Five Shields” safety standards, was set to retire and evangelize SMS Pro globally. His mentorship had been crucial, and his loss was a blow to the team’s momentum. Later that year, Peter Gardiner, president of SCSI and a key strategic partner, fell ill with cancer. Peter’s team provided training to NWDS, but his illness limited his involvement. In 2009, Peter passed away, and John Richardson, another SCSI supporter, was sidelined when his wife fell ill. These losses left SMS Pro without key advocates.

A Turning Point: Resilience and Refinement

By 2009, SMS Pro had only four clients, including a Canadian airline, a helicopter operator, and a biz jet operator with 300 pilots. The team shifted focus to international airports and refined the product through extensive gap analyses against ICAO Document 9859, FAA 120-92, Transport Canada, and Australia’s CASA requirements. New modules, like “Proactive Hazard Analysis Tool,” “Hazard and Risk Registry,” and “Lessons Learned Library,” marked SMS Pro’s evolution from a reactive to a proactive tool, enabling operators to predict and mitigate risks. The software’s multilingual support (English, Spanish, French, German) and scalability for organizations from 10 to 10,000 employees made it versatile across aviation segments.

Another blow came in 2009 when Brendan McCormack, facing a conflict-of-interest ultimatum from his oil company employer, left SMS Pro to secure his family’s financial stability. His departure was a loss, but Brendan recruited Gary Williams, a detail-oriented consultant, to join the team. Software engineer Sandesh Pandey also enhanced SMS Pro’s aesthetics, improving its user interface to match its robust functionality. Chris expanded the network through the LinkedIn group “Aviation Safety Management Systems,” forging partnerships with SMS consultants and training providers worldwide, including Mike Rioux and Joe Del Balzo of JDA Aviation Technology Solutions. These partners added credibility and expertise, helping SMS Pro gain traction.

SMS Pro Today: A Global Standard

By 2010, SMS Pro was a comprehensive SMS management system, with modules like “Corrective Actions Manager,” “Performance Monitor,” and “SMS Manuals Creator.” Its web-based platform, built on Microsoft .NET, SQL Server, and DotNetNuke, enabled collaboration across departments, streamlined audit responses, and provided real-time data analytics. Used by airlines, international airports, biz jet operators, flight schools, and maintenance organizations, SMS Pro became the first software to fully satisfy ICAO and FAA requirements. Despite competitors copying its approach, SMS Pro’s aviation-specific design and user-friendliness set it apart.

Today, SMS Pro is a trusted tool for aviation safety professionals worldwide, available in English, Spanish, French, and German. Its modules support proactive risk management, helping operators save time and money while meeting ICAO, FAA, EASA, and Transport Canada standards. The journey wasn’t easy—marked by the loss of Jerry Dennis, Peter Gardiner, and Brendan McCormack’s departure—but the team’s resilience and commitment to safety prevailed. Explore SMS Pro’s capabilities at asms-pro.com or request a demo to see how it simplifies compliance and enhances safety.

Conclusion: Honoring the Past, Building the Future

The ICAO mandate of 2006 sparked a safety revolution, but SMS Pro turned vision into reality. Through triumphs and tragedies, Chris Howell and the NWDS team built a tool that empowers aviation operators to manage risks proactively. This story honors the contributions of Jerry Dennis, Peter Gardiner, Brendan McCormack, and others, with no intent to offend. SMS Pro stands as a testament to their legacy, helping aviation professionals worldwide keep safety first. Visit asms-pro.com to join the mission for safer skies.