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

FAA Part 5 SMS Implementation Plan Submission Guide

Posted by Steve Potts on Jun 8, 2025 6:00:00 AM

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.

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

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

The Role of Safety Audits in Maintaining High Standards in Aviation

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

The Role of Safety Audits

We often hear aviation safety is non-negotiable. For safety managers, ensuring high standards across operations is a daily commitment that

protects lives,
maintains regulatory compliance, and
upholds organizational reputation.

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

How to Write SMS Commitments for Accountable Executives in Aviation

Posted by Stu Martin on Jun 1, 2025 6:00:00 AM

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.

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

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

6 Data Mining Challenges for Aviation Safety Managers

Posted by Christopher Howell on May 27, 2025 6:00:00 AM

Data Mining Challenges for Aviation Safety Managers

Aviation safety managers operate in a high-stakes environment where Safety Management Systems (SMS) are critical for ensuring operational safety.

SMS relies heavily on data to

identify risks,
monitor safety performance,
analyze safety trends, and
drive continuous improvement.

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

How to Tailor Aviation SMS to Organization’s Size, Complexity, and Risk Profile

Posted by Christopher Howell on May 26, 2025 6:00:00 AM

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.

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

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

FAA Part 5 SMS Implementation Plan Submission Guide

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

The Role of Safety Audits in Maintaining High Standards in Aviation

The Role of Safety Audits

How to Write SMS Commitments for Accountable Executives in Aviation

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

6 Data Mining Challenges for Aviation Safety Managers

Data Mining Challenges for Aviation Safety Managers

How to Tailor Aviation SMS to Organization’s Size, Complexity, and Risk Profile

Benefits of SMS Pro Database

Best Practices for Aviation SMS

Safety Policy

Safety Risk Management

Safety Assurance

Safety Promotion

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