How Will FAA's New Safety Management System Rule Transform Charter Airlines and Manufacturers?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has finalized a major rule. This rule mandates a Safety Management System (SMS) for many aviation entities. This includes charter airlines and certain aircraft manufacturers. The goal is to improve charter airlines safety and overall aviation operations.

This move expands the use of SMS across the U.S. aviation sector. It marks a significant shift toward a proactive safety approach. This new requirement is part of the new aviation safety regulations. It aims to identify and mitigate hazards before they cause incidents.

What is a Safety Management System (SMS)?

An SMS is a formal, organization-wide system. It manages safety risk from the top down. It replaces the traditional reactive safety model. That older model focused on analyzing past accidents. The SMS helps organizations detect and address safety risks early. It is a structured, repeatable, and systematic approach.

All mandated SMS programs must include four key components:

• Safety policy
• Safety risk management
• Safety assurance
• Safety promotion

Entities Affected by the Mandate

The final rule extends the SMS requirement to several groups. U.S. airlines (Part 121 operators) have used SMS since 2018. This new rule targets smaller, on-demand operations.

Key Aviation Entities Now Required to Implement SMS

The rule now applies to all certificate holders operating under Part 135. These include Part 135 operators, such as charter and commuter airlines. It also covers commercial air tour operators (Part 91.147 LOA holders).

For aircraft manufacturers safety, the rule applies to certain Part 21 certificate holders. Specifically, this includes Type Certificate (TC) and Production Certificate (PC) holders. The FAA estimates this affects approximately 1,848 Part 135 operators. It also impacts about 694 air tour operators. The rule also covers around 65 Part 21 manufacturers. Some large airframers, like Boeing, already had voluntary SMS programs.

Implementation Timeline and Global Alignment

The FAA published the final rule on April 26, 2024. It became effective on May 28, 2024. Affected organizations have between one and three years for full implementation. For instance, most Part 135 operators have up to 36 months to comply. Less restrictive provisions apply to single-pilot organizations.

This Mandating Safety Management Systems rule aligns the U.S. with international standards. It specifically addresses Annex 19 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. This alignment with the ICAO is a major step. It ensures a consistent, global aviation risk management framework.

Industry Impact and Collaboration

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker stated the rule will prevent accidents and save lives. The proactive safety approach is critical for smaller operators. The rule also mandates sharing hazard information among organizations. This collaborative effort will help identify systemic safety issues. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) praised the final rule. They noted it expands proven safety strategies to the flying public. The rule also fulfills a 2020 Congressional mandate. The mandate required SMS for aircraft manufacturers.

For those seeking more commercial aviation news and analysis, visit https://flying.flights. The expansion of SMS is a complex undertaking. Industry collaboration is essential to ensure a smooth transition. The ultimate goal remains a higher level of safety across the entire aviation ecosystem.