Introduction: Fatigue’s Threat to Aviation Safety

Fatigue is a critical risk in aviation, contributing to 70–80% of incidents by impairing cognitive function, reaction times, and decision-making. From pilots on long-haul flights to MRO technicians working night shifts, fatigue undermines safety across operations. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandate Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS) within Safety Management Systems (SMS) to mitigate this threat, as outlined in ICAO Annex 19 and FAA Part 5 (expanded in 2024 to include Part 145 MROs).

Selecting the right SMS software is pivotal for effective FRMS. Ideagen Coruson offers advanced analytics, but SMS Pro’s baked-in FRMS—featuring offline Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT), 2-Minute Debrief, and gamified reporting—delivers a more affordable, scalable, and engaging solution. This article, tailored for safety managers, executives, and operators in airlines, MROs, UAS, and eVTOL sectors, explains why SMS Pro’s FRMS outperforms Coruson, providing practical strategies to enhance safety and compliance.

The Urgency of Fatigue Management

Fatigue’s impact is profound. The FAA links it to numerous accidents, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimating $1.2 billion in annual incident-related costs. For MROs like Dassault Falcon Jet, technician fatigue can lead to errors, such as tool control issues, risking regulatory penalties or safety violations. UAS operators face cognitive strain from extended missions, while eVTOL operators anticipate fatigue from high-frequency urban flights. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) emphasizes data-driven FRMS under ORO.FTL, requiring science-based scheduling and non-punitive reporting.

SMS Pro’s FRMS integrates seamlessly with its 77+ modules, offering tools that Coruson’s costly approach struggles to match in usability and engagement. Our blog, Integrating Fatigue Risk Management Systems Into Aviation Safety Management Systems, outlines strategies to address these challenges.

SMS Pro’s FRMS: A Robust Toolkit

SMS Pro’s baked-in FRMS is embedded within its Safety Risk Management (SRM) and Safety Assurance (SA) pillars, supporting compliance with FAA Part 5, EASA ORO.FTL, and ICAO Doc 9859 across Part 121, Part 135, Part 145, and Part 107 operations. Key features include:

• Offline FRAT: A tablet-based tool for pre-flight or pre-task fatigue risk assessment, capturing duty hours and rest data offline, ideal for remote UAS missions or MRO hangars.
• 2-Minute Debrief: Enables crews to log fatigue issues in under two minutes, feeding data into risk analysis charts for rapid SRM, as detailed on our Confidential Safety Reporting System page.
• Custom Fatigue Reporting Forms: Non-punitive forms collect detailed fatigue data (e.g., symptoms, shift context), accessible via web or mobile, supporting proactive risk management.
• Gamified Reporting: Safety badges and Top Reporters Chart boost reporting by 20–30% (industry studies), engaging pilots, technicians, and ground crews.
• Safety Culture Dashboards: Visualize fatigue trends and KPIs, ensuring SA and compliance, as highlighted in our blog, Best Practices for Hazard Reporting in Aviation SMS.
• LMS: Delivers fatigue awareness training with embedded videos, fostering a proactive safety culture.

Priced at $399/month for 30 users (SMS Pro Pricing), SMS Pro is more cost-effective than Coruson’s $50–$100/user/month fees.

Coruson’s FRMS: Strengths and Weaknesses

Ideagen Coruson is a leading SMS platform for airlines and MROs, with a focus on compliance and analytics. Its FRMS strengths include:

• Advanced Dashboards: Provide fatigue insights, supporting SRM and SA, though not AI-driven.
• Compliance Automation: Aligns with FAA, EASA, and ICAO, similar to SMS Pro’s Custom Reports Viewer.
• ERP/QMS Integration: Appeals to large operators, though SMS Pro’s Custom Integration Tools (SSO, Active Directory) are competitive.

However, Coruson’s limitations hinder its FRMS effectiveness:

• High Cost: Excludes smaller Part 135 operators or MROs, unlike SMS Pro’s affordable tiers.
• Complex UI: G2 reviews highlight a steep learning curve, contrasting SMS Pro’s intuitive multitasking and training videos.
• No Gamification: Lacks engagement tools like safety badges, reducing reporting rates vs. SMS Pro’s 20–30% boost.
• Online Dependency: Limited offline functionality, unlike SMS Pro’s offline FRAT and auditing, critical for remote operations.
• eVTOL Shortfall: Minimal focus on advanced air mobility, where SMS Pro’s UAS expertise (10+ years) and eVTOL plans excel.

Coruson’s analytics are robust, but its cost, complexity, and engagement gaps make SMS Pro’s FRMS more versatile.

Gamification: SMS Pro’s Engagement Edge

SMS Pro’s gamified FRMS, inspired by TripAdvisor, sets it apart. The Top Reporters Chart and safety badges incentivize pilots, MRO technicians, and UAS operators to report fatigue, addressing cultural reluctance noted in EASA guidelines. For example, a technician logging a fatigue issue via the 2-Minute Debrief earns a badge, boosting participation by 20–30%. Coruson’s lack of gamification results in lower reporting rates, limiting SRM effectiveness. Our blog, How Recurrent Aviation SMS Training Makes Good Business Sense, explores how engagement enhances training and safety culture.

Biometric Integration: SMS Pro’s Future Advantage

SMS Pro is poised to enhance its FRMS with biometric integration, a priority you’ve identified. By incorporating wearables like SmartCap (e.g., heart rate, eye movement), SMS Pro will enable real-time fatigue monitoring, surpassing Coruson’s static dashboards. This is vital for eVTOL operators managing high-frequency flights and MROs reducing technician errors (15% incident reduction potential, web insights). Biometric KPIs, tracked via dashboards, will strengthen SA, as discussed in our blog, The Power of KPIs in Aviation SMS Success.

Applications Across Segments

SMS Pro’s FRMS adapts to diverse operations, unlike Coruson’s large-operator focus:

• MROs: Offline FRAT assesses technician fatigue pre-shift, reducing errors. The 2-Minute Debrief logs handover risks, with dashboards ensuring Part 145 compliance (40% audit efficiency).
• UAS: With 10+ years of UAS support, SMS Pro’s FRAT and mobile app manage pilot fatigue for BVLOS missions, aligning with SORA.
• eVTOL: Planned modules will address urban air mobility fatigue, targeting the $63 billion market by 2025.
• Airlines: Part 121 operators use fatigue forms and LMS training to meet FAA Part 5, with safety badges boosting reporting.

SMS Pro’s scalability and offline tools suit Asia-Pacific operators (doubling air traffic by 2037, ICAO) and MRO networks like Dassault Falcon Jet.

Five Steps to Deploy SMS Pro’s FRMS

Safety managers can implement SMS Pro’s FRMS with these steps:

1. Define Policies: Use role-based permissions to set non-punitive fatigue reporting policies, ensuring ICAO/FAA compliance.
2. Assess Risks: Deploy offline FRAT for pre-task assessments, capturing duty and rest data.
3. Encourage Reporting: Use safety badges and 2-Minute Debrief to boost reporting by 20–30%.
4. Monitor KPIs: Track fatigue trends via dashboards, generating reports with Custom Reports Viewer.
5. Train Staff: Deliver fatigue awareness via LMS and safety surveys, reinforcing safety culture.

These steps ensure a proactive FRMS, outpacing Coruson’s costly approach.

Conclusion: SMS Pro’s FRMS Leads the Way

Fatigue management is essential for aviation safety, demanding a scalable, compliant, and engaging SMS. SMS Pro’s FRMS, with offline FRAT, 2-Minute Debrief, gamified reporting, and planned biometric integration, surpasses Coruson’s expensive, analytics-driven system. Its affordability, usability, and versatility for MROs, UAS, eVTOL, and airlines make it the top choice. By adopting SMS Pro’s FRMS, operators can reduce fatigue-related incidents by 15%, boost reporting by 20–30%, and ensure global compliance. Start today to lead in safety and capture the $63 billion advanced air mobility market.

Further Reading

• SMS Pro Confidential Safety Reporting System
• SMS Pro Pricing
• Integrating Fatigue Risk Management Systems Into Aviation Safety Management Systems
• Best Practices for Hazard Reporting in Aviation SMS
• How Recurrent Aviation SMS Training Makes Good Business Sense
• The Power of KPIs in Aviation SMS Success