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

As a new aviation safety manager, stepping into the complex world of aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) can feel overwhelming. One of your critical responsibilities is ensuring regulatory compliance with major aviation authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

A cornerstone of this responsibility is conducting a Regulatory Document Review. This process ensures your organization adheres to the latest standards, mitigates risks, and maintains operational safety.

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.

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.

Purpose of Continuous Improvement in Safety Assurance Pillar

In every aviation safety management system (SMS), the accountable executive is responsible for ensuring the SMS is properly implemented and performing in all areas of the organization. The intent is not for the aviation SMS to reach some ideal "plateau of safety" and then maintain the "ideal safety level." Far from it!

Safety Promotion as an Aviation SMS Pillar

Since November 2006, ICAO mandated that aviation service providers implement formal aviation safety management systems (SMS). The objective of the aviation SMS is to:

• Proactively manage safety,
• Identify potential hazards,
• Determine operational risk,

What Is Safety Assurance in Aviation SMS

For an aviation safety management system (SMS) to be effective, the SMS must be monitored to assure managers and regulatory authorities that the SMS is both

• implemented correctly, and
• working as designed.

Purpose of Safety Performance Assessment in Safety Assurance Pillar

If you cannot measure safety performance in your aviation safety management systems (SMS), then:

• How do you know whether your operations are as safe as can be reasonably expected?

What Is Safety Assurance for FAA

Safety Assurance is designed to ensure that aviation service providers have the ability to manage safety risks effectively using a structured, prescribed approach to managing identified safety concerns.

The purpose of aviation safety management systems (SMS) is to provide operators with a "systematic approach to managing safety.

Stages of Safety Events With FAA vs. Others

Regulatory oversight agencies in various countries/regions possess inconsistent definitions for:

• hazards,
• risks, and

FAA’s Safety Risk Management (SRM) Process and Hazard Identification Element

The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) SRM compliance requirement for hazard identification controls every U.S. aviation service provider required to implement formal aviation safety management systems (SMS). These SRM requirements indirectly affect these operators' safety culture and risk management processes whether they like it or not.