Understanding FAA SAS
Flight Standards Service (AFS) Safety Assurance System (SAS) is the new oversight system for 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 121, 135 and 145. Ultimately, SAS will be used for other applicable CFR parts.
SAS is not a separate safety standard and does not impose additional requirements on certificate holders; it provides aviation safety inspectors (ASI) with standardized protocols to evaluate certificate holder programs required by regulations to be approved or accepted.
To best target oversight priorities and FAA oversight resources, the FAA is transitioning to a risk-based, data-supported oversight system. FAA's goal is to provide a Safety Assurance System beyond current levels in aviation safety programs by enhancing the risk-based, data-supported approach.
There are approximately 7300 certificates within the United States – and no two are exactly alike – the Safety Assurance System (SAS) will provide the ability to meet the safety assurance needs for many of the FAR parts.
An aviation safety management system (SMS) has four components (pillars):
SAS will be the Safety Assurance component of the internal AFS SMS. SAS provides Data Collection Tools (DCT) to help the principal inspector (PI)/certification project manager (CPM) assess the certificate holders' or applicants' system performance and design.
For certificate holders, SAS encompasses the
- certification,
- routine surveillance, and
- certificate management processes.
SAS assesses the safety of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 121, 135, and 145 certificate holders operating systems using
- system safety principles,
- Safety Attributes,
- risk management (RM), and
- structured system engineering practices.
SAS also assesses the requirement to provide service at the highest level of safety in the public interest.
FAA plans to incorporate 14 CFR Parts 141, 142, 147, and 183 oversight into SAS within five years. As of April 2016, SAS is fully operational at all Field and Regional Offices.
Related Aviation SMS Safety Assurance Articles
- FAA Part 5 - Safety Assurance - You May Not Be Prepared
- Who Is the FAA Safety Assurance System (SAS) Profile For?
- FAA Part 5 Compliance | Safety Assurance Continuous Improvement
Proactively Managing SAS Requirements
If you are a Part 121, 135, or 145 certificate holder, you should be proactive regarding SAS Audits. Aviation safety inspectors will be using SAS tools to assess your operation. Knowing the parameters of the assessments will help you self-assess and mitigate any potential issues.
Each certificate holder has a unique operational risk profile. Your profile is dependent on your certificate type and peer group.
Last updated in June 2024.
