In aviation, safety is the absolute priority. To manage safety risks systematically, organizations implement Safety Management Systems (SMS), a structured top-down approach integrating safety into all operational facets.
Topics: 4-Safety Promotion, 1-Safety Policy
We've all heard the cliche: "In the high-stakes world of aviation, safety is non-negotiable." Yet this is not reality.
To combat unsafe aviation operations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates robust Safety Management Systems (SMS) under Part 5 to ensure operators proactively manage risks and foster a culture of safety.
At the heart of this framework lies the Safety Policy pillar, a foundational component that sets the tone for an organization’s safety commitment. For aviation safety managers and accountable executives, implementing a compliant Safety Policy can be daunting—but tools like SMS Pro simplify the process, ensuring alignment with FAA Part 5 requirements while streamlining safety management.
Topics: Aviation SMS Database, Risk Management Software, 1-Safety Policy
In aviation, where safety is paramount, every incident, near-miss, or hazard offers a valuable opportunity to learn and improve. A lessons learned library is a structured, accessible repository that captures, organizes, and disseminates critical safety insights from past events.
For aviation safety managers and accountable executives, building such a library is a cornerstone of a proactive Safety Management System (SMS), aligning with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Topics: Aviation SMS Database, 3-Safety Assurance, Risk Management Software, 1-Safety Policy
Aviation safety managers face the critical task of ensuring compliance with Safety Management Systems (SMS) to maintain operational safety and regulatory adherence. Implementing an effective SMS requires structured guidance, and finding reliable SMS implementation guides and templates can streamline the process.
This guide outlines actionable steps for aviation safety managers to locate high-quality SMS resources, enhancing safety protocols and operational efficiency.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates Safety Management Systems (SMS) for various aviation operations, including single-pilot operators under 14 CFR § 5.3(c). This regulation, effective May 28, 2024, requires single-pilot operators under Part 135 (on-demand and commuter operations) and Part 91.147 (air tour operators) to develop and submit an SMS implementation plan by November 28, 2024. For single-pilot operations, the FAA allows simplified processes to make compliance manageable, recognizing the unique challenges of small-scale operations.
Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation, 4-Safety Promotion, 3-Safety Assurance, 1-Safety Policy, 2-Safety Risk Management
The rapid rise of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) has transformed aviation, with drone operations projected to contribute $63 billion to the global economy by 2025, per IATA. However, advanced operations like Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) or Operations Over People (OOP) carry significant risks, requiring robust safety frameworks.
The Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA), developed by JARUS and adopted by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency as an Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) for Regulation (EU) 2019/947, provides a structured methodology to assess and mitigate these risks. SORA ensures UAS operations in the Specific Category meet safety standards comparable to manned aviation, aligning with ICAO Annex 19.
Topics: 3-Safety Assurance, 1-Safety Policy, 2-Safety Risk Management
FAA Part 5, expanded in April 2024, mandates Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Part 121 airlines, Part 135 operators, and Part 145 MROs, making compliance a top concern for aviation safety managers and accountable executives.
Non-compliance risks penalties, operational disruptions, and reputational damage, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reporting over 90% of operators scrambling to meet deadlines. SMS Pro, a leading aviation SMS software, streamlines compliance with its 77+ modules, including offline auditing, custom reporting, and gamified engagement.
Topics: 4-Safety Promotion, 3-Safety Assurance, 1-Safety Policy, 2-Safety Risk Management, FAA Compliance
Aviation safety hinges on precision, vigilance, and teamwork; however, human factors remain a leading cause of incidents and accidents. For aviation safety managers, understanding and mitigating human error, fatigue, and ineffective crew resource management (CRM) is critical to ensuring safe operations.
This article explores these human factors, their impact on aviation safety, and actionable strategies to address them, empowering safety managers to foster a culture of safety and resilience.
Topics: 1-Safety Policy
As an aviation safety manager or accountable executive, developing a Safety Management System (SMS) that complies with 14 CFR Part 5 is critical for ensuring safety and meeting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.
A well-crafted SMS Implementation Plan is your roadmap to achieving this, outlining how your organization will establish, integrate, and maintain an SMS to proactively manage safety risks. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to writing a comprehensive Part 5 SMS Implementation Plan acceptable to your local FAA Certificate Management Office (CMO), complete with practical examples and tips for success.
Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation, 4-Safety Promotion, 3-Safety Assurance, 1-Safety Policy, 2-Safety Risk Management, Risk Management Training, FAA Compliance
For aviation safety managers and accountable executives, implementing a Safety Management System (SMS) under 14 CFR Part 5 is a regulatory requirement that strengthens safety performance and ensures compliance with FAA standards. A critical step in this process is preparing and submitting an SMS Implementation Plan to the FAA, which outlines how your organization will develop and operationalize its SMS.
This guide walks you through the essentials of creating an SMS Implementation Plan, the FAA’s expectations, and the submission process. Whether you’re a Part 135 operator, Part 91.147 air tour operator, or Part 21 certificate holder, this article provides actionable steps to help you meet FAA requirements and foster a robust safety culture.
Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation, 3-Safety Assurance, 1-Safety Policy, 2-Safety Risk Management
These two on-demand videos offer:
