Aviation is an activity that
faces numerous risks on a daily basis.
International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) and the FAA agreed that Safety
Management Systems (SMS) will be an effective method
for improving safety in the face of rapid growth
and increasing technical complexity. SMS is a
platform to identify what needs to be changed so
that potential accidents can be avoided in the
future.
The FAA defines Safety Management System (SMS) as “a quality
management approach to controlling risk. It also provides the
organizational framework to support a sound safety culture.” (ref.
AC 190-92) Simply, it is a way for an organization to internally
capture previously unreported incidents or safety concerns so they
can be addressed in a proactive manner.
SMS methodology depends on the size and complexity of the company
which may include the type of equipment being operated, the
geographical areas of operation and personnel composition. An SMS
should be specific to your organization.
For companies that have already initiated a process improvement
initiative, SMS should not be a major shift or cultural change. ATC Vantage can assist
your organization with the multifaceted SMS implementation. ATC
Vantage LLC offers everything you will need to implement a
successful SMS. We believe in and practice a "hands-on" and "in-person"
approach to the options we offer. SMS options include:
*
SMS Training
*
Implementation
Guide/Models
* Facilitation of SMS
Implementation
* SMS Evaluations
* SMS Audits
* Consulting
* FAA Airport
Inspections
SMS will be mandated soon in the United States and will take time to
implement. Currently the FAA is allowing the 20 Part 139 facilities
that were awarded an SMS grant just 6 months to create their
individual SMS manuals. Implementation, depending upon each
individual organization, may take a year or more.
ATC Vantage will assist your organization in understanding and
implementing SMS. Training and promotion is essential for SMS.
Employees, as well as company management, must buy into the program
which means understanding concepts, the benefits, and
implementation.
ATC Vantage offers training in SMS principals, hazard
identification, risk analysis and the development of a Safety
Management Manual. ATC Vantage offers various levels of SMS
assistance based upon your organization’s needs.
ATC Vantage has been trained and licensed to
teach SMS by
MITRE CAASD Center for Advanced Aviation System Development).
Our comprehensive SMS training program was developed by the MITRE
CAASD in collaboration with the FAA. MITRE was founded as a non-profit corporation to
provide engineering and technical services to the federal
government. The course is based upon ICAO publications and FAA
Advisory Circular SMS Standards. Over thirty-two countries have
chosen the MITRE SMS course.