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

The Origin of Aviation SMS: The Human Story Behind SMS Pro’s Rise to Global Success

Posted by Christopher Howell on May 25, 2025 6:15:00 AM

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.

Read More

Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation, Risk Management Software, 1-Safety Policy, 2-Safety Risk Management, Safety Culture

FAA Part 5 Compliance: 10 Easy Steps to Document Risk Matrix

Posted by Christopher Howell on May 25, 2025 6:00:00 AM

 

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.

Read More

Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation, 2-Safety Risk Management, Risk Management Training, 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

Avoid FAA Penalties: Build a Compliant Risk Matrix in Aviation SMS

Posted by Christopher Howell on May 19, 2025 6:00:00 AM

 

In aviation safety risk management, the risk matrix is a critical tool for assessing and prioritizing hazards, enabling organizations to maintain a robust Safety Management System (SMS). For U.S.-based aviation operators, ensuring that the risk matrix aligns with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) risk assessment requirements, as outlined in 14 CFR Part 5 and associated guidance, is essential for regulatory compliance and effective safety management.

A compliant risk matrix not only satisfies FAA audits but also enhances decision-making and fosters a proactive safety culture.

Read More

Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation, 2-Safety Risk Management, Quality-Safety Management

Why Aviation Safety Managers Should Customize Severity and Likelihood Criteria on Their Risk Matrix

Posted by Christopher Howell on May 16, 2025 6:00:00 AM

 

In aviation safety risk management, the risk matrix is a cornerstone tool for identifying, assessing, and prioritizing hazards. It provides a visual framework to evaluate risks based on two key dimensions: severity (the potential impact of a hazard) and likelihood (the probability of occurrence).

While standard risk matrices offer a solid starting point, customizing the severity and likelihood criteria to align with your organization’s unique operational context is critical for effective Safety Management Systems (SMS).

Read More

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

Sample Business Case for MROs Implementing SMS Pro for Aviation Safety Management System (SMS)

Posted by Christopher Howell on May 15, 2025 3:23:34 PM

Executive Summary

As a Canadian Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) organization with 100 employees, serving both Canadian and U.S. customers, we operate in a highly regulated aviation industry where safety is paramount. Transport Canada and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandate Safety Management Systems (SMS) for MROs to ensure compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, as outlined in Annex 19.

To meet these requirements efficiently, enhance safety performance, and strengthen our competitive position, we propose adopting SMS Pro, a web-based aviation SMS software designed for MROs. This business case evaluates the benefits, costs, and implementation strategy for SMS Pro, demonstrating its alignment with regulatory needs and business objectives.

Read More

Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation, Aviation SMS Database, Risk Management Software, FAA Compliance

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 Write Non-Punitive Reporting Policy for Aviation SMS Programs - Free Templates

Posted by Christopher Howell on Mar 19, 2025 6:30:00 AM

Purpose of Non-Punitive Reporting Policies in Aviation SMS Programs

Dedicated, hard-working safety managers drive the setup of airline and airports' aviation safety management systems (SMS).

These safety managers are often left to decipher ambiguous requirements that are open to multiple interpretations. This comes into play, especially when upper management wants to "pencil-whip" an aviation SMS and merely check the boxes.

Read More

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

SMS First Steps - How to Create an SMS Implementation Plan

Posted by Steve Potts on Aug 21, 2024 5:00:00 AM

What Is an SMS Implementation Plan?

As a safety manager, the implementation plan is your road map to success, but finding guidance on how to create one is difficult at best.

The FAA doesn't provide an implementation plan for the latest Part 5 regulations, but there is an implementation plan suggested by ICAO 9859.

ICAO recommends a 5-year plan with 4 phases of implementation, but this plan may not work well for small organizations or those with many elements already in place.

Read More

Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

7 Steps to Put Aviation Safety Management Systems into Action

Posted by Steve Potts on Jul 10, 2024 7:00:00 AM

Or How to Create an Aviation SMS in 7 Simple Steps

You’re probably familiar with the 4 Phases of SMS implementation outlined by ICAO 9859. Here, I’ll break them down another way, into 7 steps.

For a deep dive into how to use the 4 Phases of SMS implementation, start with How to Complete Phase 1 of Aviation SMS Implementation.

If, for whatever reason, the four phases don’t resonate with you, here is another way to look at building an SMS for aviation service providers. Much like the 4 phases, these are not steps that must be taken in order.

Read More

Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

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