If you’re asking about U.S operator requirements for a Safety Management System, the best answer is; not yet, but you will soon.

Many countries, including Canada (July 2009) already have mandates for a Safety Management System.

The FAA has issued AC 120-92, which introduced the concept of a safety management system to aviation service providers, such as; airlines, air taxi operators, corporate flight departments, and pilot schools. Although the AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation, it does encourage operators to develop and implement a safety management system.

The recent ICOA adopted an amendment to Annex 6 Part II and the new Section III, that applies to jet aircraft and aircraft over 12,500 lbs or 5,700 kgs, introduces the requirement for operations manuals, safety management systems, training programs and fatigue management programs.

However, AC 120-92 states in Appendix 1 that it is in accordance with Annex 6 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, and the recently mandated International Civil Aviation Organization Document 9859, which is no longer true.

AC 120-92a (amendment to Appendix 1) is in draft and there is no reason to believe that the FAA will not follow with a Notice of Proposed Rule Rulemaking in the near future.

If you operate internationally, it’s the law, or at least will be soon depending on where you operate.

Beyond the likelihood of the SMS becoming law, at the most fundamental level the aim of the SMS is to improve safety through pro-active management and a strong safety culture, rather than reactive compliance with regulatory requirements.

This is not about telling you how to conduct your operation, but rather about following a small number of basic principles, and then adapting proven SMS components to fit the size, type and management style of your operation.

Regardless of the size or complexity, we recognize that risk exists in all aviation operations and we need to minimize if not eliminate the possibility of an accident or incident.

A safety management system can benefit your operation regardless of its size. In the same way a successful business uses financial management systems to manage its operations, successful aviation operators treat safety like any other business process. It is not only good business sense; a good SMS will save you money.

The Safety Management System (SMS) is your safety toolbox. It contains all the tools necessary to manage your Safety Program.  See Safety Management System for more detail.

The Safety Management Program is your specific safety objectives and a designed plan to meet the specific safety objective.  See Safety Management Program for more detail.

You may have a well designed SMS, but without a properly designed relationship between your SMS and your operational environment you may still be exposedto significant hazards and safety risks.

IS-BAO is the only recognized standard for complying with the ICOA adopted amendment to Annex 6 Part II and the new Section III.

Prior to the IS-BAO there had been a notable absence of standard practices in non-commercial flight operations. There were organizations, such as the NBAA, and their counterparts in other countries, the Flight Safety Foundation, and a myriad of independent consultants and auditors who provided guidance for operational procedures, but until IS-BAO there was no standard or means to measure performance.

The Woodhouse Study
n a 2006 study (R. Woodhouse, MRAeS) commissioned by IBAC to assess the potential impact of the IS-BAO it was concluded that; “between 35% and 55% of the accidents could have certainly or probably been prevented by implementation of the IS-BAO.”

See IS-BAO Implementation for more information

Air Safety Group’s founder, Jeff Whitman, served as a Senior Captain and Safety Officer for a major corporate flight department, operating multiple jet aircraft. In this role, Mr. Whitman:

• Championed the Corporate Quality Process Management Team
• Developed and enhanced operational procedures
• Participated on the team that achieved IS-BAO, Stage One and Stage Two Certification

The key difference between Air Safety Group and the other SMS consultants is Mr. Whitman not only played a key role in the development of the Safety Management Program, he also worked as a line captain within the program created.

Mr. Whitman is an accomplished corporate pilot with more than 25 seamless years of accident free experience. He holds an FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with over 14,000 hours of flight experience and Type Ratings in multiple jet aircraft.

Mr. Whitman is certified by the National Business Aviation Association and is recognized by the International Business Aviation Council in the development of Safety Management Systems and Quality Assurance Programs for Flight Operations.