Enhancing Aviation Safety: Expert Insights, Tips, and Updates from SMS-Pro

SMS Pro Professional Conquers MROs New Regulatory Challenges

As Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) organizations face stricter FAA, ICAO, EASA, and Transport Canada regulations in 2025, compliance is no longer optional—it's critical.

Whether you're a small MRO with a single hangar or a large network like Dassault Falcon Jet with 400 employees across multiple sites, SMS Pro offers tailored Safety Management System (SMS) solutions to meet your needs. With our restructured plans—Basic, Professional, and Enterprise—SMS Pro ensures regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and cost savings, regardless of your size or complexity.

Here’s why SMS Pro Professional is the go-to choice for MROs navigating the regulatory landscape.

FAA’s Safety Risk Management (SRM) Process and System Description Element

The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) safety risk management (SRM) compliance requirement for System Description has one clear goal: establish the components of your operating environment’s

• systems,
• processes,
• procedures, and
• important safety elements.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Aviation safety managers are tasked with ensuring the skies remain safe for passengers, crew, and aircraft. A critical component of this responsibility is conducting effective risk assessments and implementing mitigation strategies to identify hazards and reduce operational risks to As Low as Reasonably Practical (ALARP).

This short article explores

• the importance of risk assessment in aviation safety management systems (SMS),
• outlines a structured approach to hazard identification, and
• provides actionable mitigation strategies to enhance safety and compliance.

Web-based Hazard Reporting Solution

The purpose of a Web-based Hazard Reporting Solution is to provide a structured system for aviation service providers to identify, report, and manage hazards and safety events within their aviation Safety Management System (SMS).

In aviation, where safety is non-negotiable, a Safety Management System (SMS) is the backbone of risk management. Mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and national regulators like the FAA and EASA, an SMS provides a structured top-down approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating safety risks. However, a one-size-fits-all SMS is ineffective—aviation operations vary widely in size, complexity, and risk profile.

Tailoring an SMS to your organization’s unique characteristics is essential for compliance, operational efficiency, and a robust safety culture. This article offers aviation safety managers actionable guidance on customizing SMS implementations, with insights into regulatory requirements, practical steps, and best practices.

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.

For new aviation safety managers, documenting the risk matrix process within a Safety Management System (SMS) can be a challenging task. The risk matrix is a cornerstone of aviation safety risk management, enabling organizations to assess and prioritize hazards based on their severity and likelihood.

For U.S.-based operators, ensuring that the risk matrix process complies with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) requirements under 14 CFR Part 5 is critical for regulatory adherence and effective safety management. A well-documented process not only satisfies FAA audits but also supports consistent risk assessments and fosters a proactive safety culture.

This article provides aviation safety managers with clear, actionable steps to document the risk matrix process, ensuring compliance with FAA standards while simplifying the task for newcomers.

As an aviation safety manager or accountable executive, preparing for an FAA Part 5 Safety Management System (SMS) audit is critical to ensuring compliance and maintaining a robust safety culture.

The FAA’s Part 5 regulation, outlined in 14 CFR Part 5, mandates SMS for certificate holders under Parts

• 121,
• 135,
• 91.147, and
• certain Part 21 operations.

Why Safety Management Systems Matter

Aviation requires safety. Every flight, maintenance task, and ground operation demands precision. A Safety Management System (SMS) is the framework that ensures risks are managed proactively. It’s a structured approach to identifying hazards and preventing incidents. For beginners, understanding SMS is the first step to safer skies.

As a new aviation safety manager, stepping into the complex world of aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) can feel overwhelming. One of your critical responsibilities is ensuring regulatory compliance with major aviation authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

A cornerstone of this responsibility is conducting a Regulatory Document Review. This process ensures your organization adheres to the latest standards, mitigates risks, and maintains operational safety.