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

Better Alternatives to Spreadsheet-Based SMS

Spreadsheet-based safety programs are incredibly common. Many of you reading this use spreadsheets to manage your SMS activities, such as documenting:

Introduction: The Role of Risk Management in Aviation SMS

Aviation risk management tools are essential for managing exposure within Safety Management Systems (SMS), ensuring safety aligns with operational demands. The Federal Aviation Administration reports that 70% of incidents stem from unaddressed risks, costing the industry $1.2 billion annually, per IATA.

Beyond risk analysis, these tools must address all four SMS pillars—Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management (SRM), Safety Assurance (SA), and Safety Promotion—to maintain an Acceptable Level of Safety (ALoS) under ICAO Annex 19 and FAA Part 5. SMS Pro’s aviation SMS software delivers comprehensive risk management with 78 modules, including offline auditing, automated workflows, and visual analytics.

Consider Your Business Needs

Ultimately, choosing between custom-built, in-house aviation safety management system (SMS) software and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions comes down to three key considerations:

• Your budget;
• How quickly you need your software; and
• The SMS goals of your business processes.

The first question you need to ask yourself is: What problem are you trying to solve? Answering this question involves a discovery process of analyzing exactly what your needs are. The end result could be:

FAA Orders 14 CFR Part 5 for Part 121 Operators

In January 2016, SMS legal requirements went into effect for Part 121 operators. These requirements stem from the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) mandate:

"As of November 23, 2006 States shall require, as part of their safety program, that an [operator, maintenance organization,

Saving Money Implementing Aviation SMS

Not all aviation service providers are created equal.

• Charter operators;
• Airlines and airports;
• Aviation maintenance organizations (AMO);
• Flight schools; or

Transparency Is a Philosophical Question

A high level of transparency in aviation safety management systems (SMS) is critical for creating:

• A Just Culture.
• A safety reporting culture.
• A culture of safety.

What Are Divisions in SMS Pro

This is a question that comes up a lot.

Especially when we start throwing other words into the mix like:

• Departments;
• Portals; and
• Management Portals.

It can get confusing quickly. Many people ask – what’s the difference?

Do You Understand Aviation SMS Solutions' Architecture?

After a dozen years being an aviation safety management systems (SMS) database architect, I have heard just about every question imaginable about aviation safety software.

Among the most common questions we get are: