Safety Management System (SMS)

A Safety Management System (SMS) is a structured, organization-wide approach to managing safety and verifying the efficacy of safety risk mitigation measures. A SMS consists of four foundational pillars:

1. Safety Policy
2. Safety Risk Management
3. Safety Assurance
4. Safety Promotion

A reliable SMS is grounded in these four pillars, while accounting for the conditions of the operations (e.g., size and complexity of the organization, operating environment, volume and type of data available, etc.).

The landscape of SMS is constantly evolving, and all organizations face their own unique implementation challenges. To be efficient, it’s important to leverage existing processes whenever possible.

The FAA published the final rule requiring Safety Management Systems (SMS) for all part 135 operators on April 26, 2024.  No later than May 28, 2027, each part 135 operator must provide to the FAA a Declaration of Compliance (14 CFR § 5.9). Importantly, from a regulatory compliance standpoint, the Declaration of Compliance is the culmination of the SMS development process, not its initiation. Simply put, operators must have a compliant SMS program developed and implemented in accordance with part 5 requirements prior to submitting their Declaration of Compliance.

Organizations with a single pilot who is solely responsible for the conduct and execution of functions related to the safety of operations are subject to certain exclusions listed in 14 CFR § 5.9(e).

Additionally, Part 135 Applicants should meet the FAA’s required Implementation Timeline Specifics depending on what phase and time period the applicant falls within.

By December 31, 2025, FAA-certificated repair stations located in the U.S. that hold or seek EASA Part-145 approval will be required to have a Safety Management System (SMS) fully implemented, in accordance with a special condition under the U.S.-EU Safety Agreement. This new mandate stems from the EU’s regulatory revisions regarding continued airworthiness requirements and represents a significant regulatory change for U.S.-based repair stations working under both FAA and EASA oversight.

NATA supports the aviation industry’s goals of promoting safe and reliable transportation and services starting from the ground up. By collaborating with the FAA and providing high quality educational programs and resources, NATA ensures that safety practices add value to the industry and are sustainable over the long term.

NATA continually collaborates with members to provide industry knowledge and resources for regulatory compliance and SMS implementation practices.

NATA partners with the Department of Transportation Safety Institute to offer the NATA Air Transport Safety Management Certification. Visit aero/events for information on future courses.

NATA Partner+ connects members with trusted experts and tools to support every phase of Safety Management System (SMS) development and implementation—offering tailored training, risk analysis resources, and hands-on guidance to meet operational requirements and enhance organizational safety.

• Aviation Safety Solutions (AvSafety)
• Wyvern
• iReportSource
• Polaris Aero
• NDX
• AirTera

Webinars & Events

• A Conditioned-Based Approach to Safety Management Systems
• Navigating the Part 5 Rule: What You Need to Know
• Is Your Repair Station Ready for the EASA SMS Deadline?
• NATA SMS Roundtables and Forums
• Air Charter Summit

Podcasts:

• Sizing SMS for Business Aviation