Aviation Safety Blog | Expert Tips & Updates | SMS-Pro

Easy FAA Part 5 SMS Declaration of Compliance Guide

Posted by Steve Potts on Jun 7, 2025 6:00:00 AM

For aviation safety managers and accountable executives, ensuring compliance with the FAA’s Safety Management System (SMS) requirements under 14 CFR Part 5 is a cornerstone of operational safety. A critical step in this process is submitting a Declaration of Compliance (DOC) to the FAA, which confirms that your organization’s SMS, including its Safety Risk Management (SRM) processes, meets regulatory standards.

This article provides a deep dive into the role of SRM in SMS compliance and a detailed list of required content for the DOC. Whether you’re managing a Part 135 operation, a Part 91.147 air tour operation, or a Part 21 certificate holder, this guide will help you craft a compliant DOC while strengthening your SRM practices.

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Topics: 4-Safety Promotion, 3-Safety Assurance, 1-Safety Policy, 2-Safety Risk Management, Risk Management Training, FAA Compliance

Hazard Identification in Aviation SMS: Proven Strategies for Safety Managers

Posted by Steve Potts on Jun 6, 2025 6:00:00 AM

Why Hazard Identification is the Backbone of Aviation Safety

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.

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance, 2-Safety Risk Management

Aviation Incident Investigations: Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Actions

Posted by Christopher Howell on Jun 5, 2025 6:00:00 AM

How to Conduct Root Cause Analysis

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.

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Topics: Risk Management Software, 2-Safety Risk Management

Integrating Fatigue Risk Management Systems Into Aviation Safety Management Systems

Posted by Stu Martin on Jun 3, 2025 6:00:00 AM

Integrating Fatigue Risk Management Systems

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.

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

10 Tips for Writing System Descriptions in Aviation SMS Implementations

Posted by Christopher Howell on Jun 2, 2025 6:00:00 AM

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.

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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation, 2-Safety Risk Management, FAA Compliance

How SMS Pro Addresses CAR 107 Requirements and Modules Used

Posted by Christopher Howell on May 31, 2025 7:10:46 AM

Addressing CAR 107 Requirements

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.

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Topics: Key Performance Indicators, Aviation SMS Database, 4-Safety Promotion, 3-Safety Assurance, 1-Safety Policy, 2-Safety Risk Management, Quality-Safety Management

How SMS Pro Ensures FAA Part 5 Compliance Guide

Posted by Christopher Howell on May 31, 2025 6:00:00 AM

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.

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Topics: 4-Safety Promotion, 3-Safety Assurance, Risk Management Software, 1-Safety Policy, 2-Safety Risk Management, FAA Compliance

How SMS Pro Professional Empowers MROs to Conquer New Regulatory Challenges

Posted by Stu Martin on May 31, 2025 5:41:49 AM

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.

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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation, 4-Safety Promotion, 3-Safety Assurance, Risk Management Software, 1-Safety Policy, 2-Safety Risk Management

FAA Part 5 Compliance | Safety Risk Management System Description Requirement

Posted by Stu Martin on May 30, 2025 6:00:00 AM

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.

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management, FAA Compliance

Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Identifying Hazards and Reducing Operational Risks

Posted by Christopher Howell on May 29, 2025 6:00:00 AM

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.

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

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

Easy FAA Part 5 SMS Declaration of Compliance Guide

Hazard Identification in Aviation SMS: Proven Strategies for Safety Managers

Why Hazard Identification is the Backbone of Aviation Safety

Aviation Incident Investigations: Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Actions

How to Conduct Root Cause Analysis

Integrating Fatigue Risk Management Systems Into Aviation Safety Management Systems

Integrating Fatigue Risk Management Systems

10 Tips for Writing System Descriptions in Aviation SMS Implementations

How SMS Pro Addresses CAR 107 Requirements and Modules Used

Addressing CAR 107 Requirements

How SMS Pro Ensures FAA Part 5 Compliance Guide

How SMS Pro Professional Empowers MROs to Conquer New Regulatory Challenges

SMS Pro Professional Conquers MROs New Regulatory Challenges

FAA Part 5 Compliance | Safety Risk Management System Description Requirement

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

Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Identifying Hazards and Reducing Operational Risks

Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Benefits of SMS Pro Database

Best Practices for Aviation SMS

Safety Policy

Safety Risk Management

Safety Assurance

Safety Promotion

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