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.
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 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:
Priced at $399/month for 30 users (SMS Pro Pricing), SMS Pro is more cost-effective than Coruson’s $50–$100/user/month fees.
Ideagen Coruson is a leading SMS platform for airlines and MROs, with a focus on compliance and analytics. Its FRMS strengths include:
However, Coruson’s limitations hinder its FRMS effectiveness:
Coruson’s analytics are robust, but its cost, complexity, and engagement gaps make SMS Pro’s FRMS more versatile.
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.
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.
SMS Pro’s FRMS adapts to diverse operations, unlike Coruson’s large-operator focus:
SMS Pro’s scalability and offline tools suit Asia-Pacific operators (doubling air traffic by 2037, ICAO) and MRO networks like Dassault Falcon Jet.
Safety managers can implement SMS Pro’s FRMS with these steps:
These steps ensure a proactive FRMS, outpacing Coruson’s costly approach.
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.