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

Prepare for FAA Part 5 SMS Audit: Safety Manager Guide

Posted by Jamie Adams on May 24, 2025 6:00:00 AM

 

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.
Read More

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

What Is an Aviation SMS? A Beginner’s Guide to Safety Management

Posted by Christopher Howell on May 22, 2025 8:00:00 AM

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.

Read More

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

Practical Steps for Accountable Executives to Demonstrate SMS Compliance in Aviation

Posted by Steve Potts on May 18, 2025 6:00:00 AM

 

In the changing world of aviation regulations, safety remains non-negotiable. A robust Safety Management System (SMS) has become the backbone of any organization striving to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with regulatory standards, such as those set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and national civil aviation authorities like the FAA or EASA.

For new safety managers, training staff on SMS concepts can feel overwhelming, especially when tasked with guiding accountable executives—senior leaders responsible for SMS oversight. These executives, often juggling multiple responsibilities, need clear, actionable steps to demonstrate SMS compliance effectively.

Read More

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

FAA April 2024 Final Rulemaking With SMS Pro Alignment Analysis

Posted by Christopher Howell on May 17, 2025 6:00:00 AM

SMS Pro Aligns With FAA April 2024 Final Rulemaking

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has updated the Safety Management System (SMS) requirements for Part 121 operators under 14 CFR Part 5, as outlined in the April 2024 final rulemaking.

These updates introduce specific requirements aimed at enhancing safety through improved

  • ethical standards,
  • system interfaces,
  • hazard reporting, and
  • recordkeeping.
Read More

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

How SMS Pro Ensures FAA Part 5 Compliance for Aviation Safety Management

Posted by Christopher Howell on May 14, 2025 3:09:37 PM

SMS Pro Ensures FAA Part 5 Compliance

The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Part 5 regulations mandate a structured Safety Management System (SMS) for certificate holders, including

  • Part 121,
  • Part 135,
  • Part 91.
  • 147 air tour operators, and
  • certain Part 21 manufacturers.
Read More

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

How to Build an Aviation Safety Training Article Library

Posted by Christopher Howell on Apr 23, 2025 6:00:00 AM

Recurrent SMS Training Can Be Expensive

Aviation safety management systems (SMS) require both initial and recurrent SMS training for all employees. Safety professionals recognize this requirement once they reach Phase 2 of the SMS implementation.

For small companies with 20 to 100 employees, it is not feasible to send all employees to aviation SMS training courses.

Read More

Topics: 4-Safety Promotion

How to Increase Participation in Aviation Safety Programs

Posted by Jamie Adams on Mar 19, 2025 6:00:00 AM

Effort Needed Employee Participation in Aviation Safety Programs

The more people involved in the aviation field take advantage of these aviation safety programs, the safer the industry is likely to be.

Encouraging participation in these programs can be as simple as word of mouth referrals or posting program information on bulletin boards at the local fixed base operator (FBO).

However, safety promotion efforts alone are seldom enough to motivate employees to actively involve themselves in a safety program.

Read More

Topics: 4-Safety Promotion

What Is Safety Culture in the Aviation Industry?

Posted by Jamie Adams on Feb 12, 2025 6:15:00 AM

A Culture of Respect

In order to understand the idea of safety culture within the aviation industry, we must first understand the respect attributed to:

  • Pilots;
  • Mechanics;
  • Controllers;
  • Dispatchers; and
  • All others needed to make the system function.
Read More

Topics: 4-Safety Promotion

Human Factors: Lack of Teamwork

Posted by Steve Potts on May 1, 2024 2:31:00 AM

Why Is Teamwork Important?

Teamwork is a word used often in the workplace. We’ve all heard that it’s important to work together. Why cover the same ground again?

Lack of teamwork can have serious safety consequences. In aviation, our jobs affect others. Even when we seem to be working on our own, our work ties into other parts of the operation.

Safety is part of being a good teammate and teamwork plays a key role in safety. As such, we all take on responsibility for being good teammates and keeping each other safe.

Read More

Topics: 4-Safety Promotion

Six Ways to Improve Safety Culture in Aviation SMS

Posted by Jamie Adams on Apr 24, 2024 6:30:00 AM

Safety Management Systems Bore Most Employees

Unlike those who study and create safety management systems (SMS), to the average employee these programs can be boring.

It’s not that the average employee doesn’t value safety; it’s just that they need to see how these programs are beneficial to them personally.

Read More

Topics: 4-Safety Promotion

Site content provided by Northwest Data Solutions is meant for informational purposes only. Opinions presented here are not provided by any civil aviation authority or standards body.

 

 

Benefits of SMS Pro Database

Affordable, Basic Compliance for Small Aviation Service Providers

Best Practices for Aviation SMS

 

Watch SMS Pro Demo Videos

These two on-demand videos offer:

  • High-level overview of SMS Pro;
  • Hazard Reporting & Risk Management walk-through.
Watch SMS Pro Demo Videos
 
 
 
 

Subscribe to Email Updates

Recent Posts