Safety Management System (SMS)

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Through the use of Safety Management Systems (SMS), business aircraft operators can proactively identify and manage risks. Under a formalized SMS, operators identify potential hazards and ensure that a process is put in place to effectively manage them.

SMS News

New Online Tool Helps Identify Flight Risks
November 7, 2011
A free online Flight Risk Awareness Tool (FRAT) has been developed to help flightcrews quickly assess threats to safety for a particular flight. Developed as part of a study, the FRAT presents operators with an easy-to-understand summary of the risks associated with each mission. No identifying data is collected in order to produce a risk analysis and operators can try the tool before putting it to use before a live flight. For additional information, contact NBAA's Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org. Access the Flight Risk Analysis Tool.
FAA Recognizes IS-BAO as Meeting ICAO SMS Standards
April 18, 2011
The FAA issued InFO 11010 on April 11, 2011, encouraging general aviation (GA) operators to implement a safety management system (SMS) and providing information on SMS resources. The FAA does not currently require GA operators to establish an SMS, but aviation authorities in several other countries are imposing such requirements, as directed by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. In the InFO, the FAA recognizes the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) as an SMS validation program that meets ICAO standards. Jointly developed by the International Business Aviation Council and NBAA, IS-BAO is a worldwide standard with over 500 registered operators. View the InFO.
Is SMS Worthwhile? Study Explores the Question
April 8, 2011
A five-year, data-driven study of 58 flight departments – conducted by the Van Allen Group and presented at NBAA’s 19th Annual Leadership Conference in San Diego last February – shows a correlation between management buy-in for a Safety Management System (SMS) plan and a flight department’s accident or safety event history. Learn more.
FAA Withdraws ANPRM for SMS Proposal Citing Focus on Part 121 SMS Proposed Rulemaking
March 21, 2011
While it may have brought sighs of relief from many Part 91 and Part 135 operators, the full impact of the FAA’s decision last week to withdraw an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on safety management systems (SMS) remains unclear. And it doesn’t mean that the issue goes away, since the FAA may decide to revisit the issue later on. In the interim, NBAA Members may find it worthwhile to implement a voluntary SMS as a best practice, even if they operate solely in the U.S. Learn more.