SMS SUPPORT OPTIONS

Part's 135, 139, 121 and 91.147 are required by regulation to adopt and implement an SMS appropriate to their size and scope of operations. Part 139 airports must submit their SMS implementation plan to the FAA for approval before they start, while 135 operators must submit a letter of compliance to part 5, which will then be verified annually by their POI.  

Part 91 operators and EASA approved 145 repair stations are not currently regulated, but still need to meet the ICAO SMS mandate, which can be accomplished by voluntarily adopting SMS.

In terms of implementation options,  both the regulated and voluntary SMS follows the same SMS standard (AC120-92D) with the objective of complying with Part 5 of the regulation, with the caveat, for the voluntary group, some of part 5 may not be reasonable or practicable.

Both groups have three basic options with identical deliverables to choose from in terms of how they will proceed with SMS project management (PM):

1. Self-implementation 
2. Third-party PM 
3. Collaborative PM 

The self-implementation option can take an in-house effort up to 1380 hours according to the FAA to get you to the starting line. Generally, this option will require a part time team effort that spreads the workload out and can take up to three years to complete. Typical cost here is $40,000 over three years.

The third-party option uses a project management company who specializes in various types of aviation projects. These are larger A&E companies who typically work on larger projects and will be the most expensive option of the three, (that's if you can find one with SMS experience). Typical A&E's charge $90 to $150 per hour.

The collaborative Managed Program is our solution to getting your SMS framework up and running quickly and with minimal disruption to normal operations. 

We spend approximately 160 hours customizing your manuals, training personnel and setting up your program, which typically takes 3 to 5 days onsite. We also provide a declaration of conformity (audit) at the conclusion of the project and provide 12-months of SMS administrative & management support.

We've done hundreds of implementations and in terms of cost benefit and achieving the goals of SMS, there is nothing quite like it at any price.

For operators who have the time and desire to self-implement their program, we can provide a customized project management package that takes you step by step through the entire process. 

This is the same project management process we have successfully used for nearly two decades so we know it works and will save you several hundred hours and helping you avoid the land-mines.

Make no mistake about it, the SMS has a steep learning curve that can cost you tens of thousands of dollars in wasted time, mistakes and errors that can lead to disappointing results. 

Keeping your SMS simple and easy to use will improve your operation by an order of magnitude that will manifest itself in better performance, better morale,  better  cost efficiencies, which can all be quantified, measured and monitored, but please don't presume the SMS is a panacea that can fix a broken culture. 

This option provides you with everything you'll need plus unlimited phone support, implementation plan, procedures and workbook manuals, training material and a project management manual that guides and simplifies the process. 

The end result will be a conforming SMS that meets the standard while providing you with the knowledge you'll need to fully benefit from the SMS. 

We know the requirement to adopt and implement SMS can be distracting, disruptive and hugely frustrating for operators who are minimally staffed, which is pretty much everybody. But, we also know, SMS in the right hands can be the best tool you have to control and manage your risks and that alone is well worth the effort to get it right.

What makes us unique is 25 years of flight and maintenance experience (part 121 & 91) and nearly two decades of hands-on SMS experience. That is why we can deliver a conforming and effective SMS at a fraction of the cost and time others can.

The FAA estimates it will take an in-house effort about 1350 hours to implement SMS, which works out to a 36 month endeavor with no guarantees. Our program will ensure you meet the standard, understand SMS and know how to manage it.

Based on those numbers, implementation using an in-house effort will be expensive, disruptive and more likely to end with disappointing results, so choose wisely to avoid the pitfalls and landmines that are waiting.

The U.S. recognizes the ICAO requirement for States to establish regulations requiring certain service providers to implement SMS and has issued CFR's for part 121, 135, and part 91.147 operators. 

The FAA provides guidance in part 5 of the regulation and an SMS framework found in AC120-92D (standard) for the regulated and unregulated groups. 

Part 91 operators basically "self-declare" that their SMS conforms to the industry standard without any formal approval from the FAA. 

Parts 135 and 91.147 operators must submit a declaration of compliance to the FAA that they meet the requirements of part 5, which is then assessed during the FAA's routine surveillance annually.

Since 2006, We've been providing third-party confirmation of conformity declarations (DoC) to operators using THE FAA's SMS framework found in the various iterations found in AC120-92. We've also used industry standards such as the IS-BAO and ACSF standard audit protocols that ensures SMS conformity. 

The DoC is an audit that confirms that your SMS conforms to the standard. For operators who must meet part 5 of the regulation, this audit ensures compliance. 

The DoC process typically is a 2 to 3 day onsite audit that begins weeks to months before we arrive. Our audit process is not a pass or fail exercise, but an opportunity to improve  your operation as we go.  

For the voluntary SMS group, the goal of the declaration is to confirm conformity to the SMS standard (AC120-92D), and meeting the appropriate and applicable part 5 requirements.

For the regulated SMS group, the goal of the declaration also confirms conformity to the SMS standard and further ensures compliance to the regulation in part 5. 

There is no requirement to perform a declaration of conformity or compliance, but as you will see over time, SMS and QMS require regular tune-ups to be most effective and for the regulated group, the FAA will be inspecting your SMS as part of your recertification process.

This assessment is robust and will provide you with the confidence of knowing your SMS meets the standard, but much more importantly, is providing value and benefit to your operation. 

The majority of flight departments we've worked with over the past 20 years are looking to improve their operation every chance they get, and simplifying and automating their SMS has proven to be  the most cost effective place to start. 

This program was designed for small to medium sized flight departments who want to fully benefit from an effective SMS, but have neither the staff, training or the time to do the level of work that requires.  

The CMP is the equivalent of hiring a full time experienced SMS manager who ensures your program conforms to the standard, but more importantly, provides a  long list of benefits only an effective system can deliver.  

This customized managed program is labor intensive for our team and is only available to a limited number of flight departments each year who are serious about achieving the goals of SMS. 

This program takes SMS off your desk while you focus on what you do best. It is like having a full time safety officer with one small difference: 

The single most important thing you need to achieve an effective SMS is a deep understanding of how SMS works. 

The SMS standard is complicated and confusing for a reason, it was written by the "standards" industry, who gives new meaning to the phrase, attention to detail. 

For the vast majority of operators with staffing constraints, that complexity leads to low participation, underutilized and ineffective data collection and analysis, which ultimately results in a failed SMS.

The solution is simple enough, drastically simplify your SMS. How exactly do you do that? For starters, use your smart phone as your primary reporting tool. Next, train your team to know what is reportable and what their responsibilities are. 

Our training programs are designed specifically for small to medium sized flight and maintenance operators with minimum staff.  Knowledge is key in simplifying your program so that it delivers true benefit and value. 

Training your team to understand SMS and what their roles and responsibilities are, may be the most important investment you make in terms of benefiting from SMS. Our initial SMS training program is 2 days onsite.

One of the most important components of your SMS is Safety Promotion, which keeps the focus where it belongs, on training and hazard awareness.

Using our weekly Safety Officer Bulletin service takes the burden of creating interesting, timely and concise safety training material off your plate and is the most cost effective way we know of to chip away at complacency. 

One subscription covers your entire operation, no matter how many employees you have. 

This service will also update your existing SMS manuals or provide them if you're just starting out. 

You will also have access to our FRAT/FOQA program where we provide you the digital form that you complete and send to us via your smart phone or ipad/computer for analysis and documentation. 

As with all of our programs, we are always available to assist you, answer your questions and provide any level of support and training you require.

Our subscribers keep renewing the service and tell us they value it more than any other component of their SMS.