Aerospace Industries Association
Safety Developments Discussed during FAA Safety Management Systems Aviation Rulemaking Committee’s Third Working Meeting since February Formation
FAA’s Safety Management Systems (SMS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), of which AIA is a member, was briefed in May on lessons learned on SMS implementation from manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace and Air Transat Airlines, Canada’s leading charter airline. 
In addition, the European Aviation Safety Agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization and Transport Canada shared SMS developments from the viewpoint of aviation authorities.
It was the committee’s third working meeting since it was formed by the FAA in February.
FAA is under an ICAO directive to establish an SMS rule. While the deadline was January 2009, most member nations, including the United States, haven’t met the requirement. Canada is one of the few nations that has an SMS rule in place.
SMS is defined by FAA as “a management system for integrating safety activities into normal day-to-day business practices.”
The May briefings provided information on the philosophy and challenges of developing and implementing SMS requirements for multi-tiered, complex organizations across the aviation industry.
FAA expects to soon publish an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on SMS. ARC members will evaluate it and provide recommendations to the FAA on the rulemaking proposals as well as on policy and guidance material.
The 12-member committee is planning to establish subcommittees to address specific areas related to design and manufacturing, operations and training, and maintenance. AIA anticipates increased industry participation on the ARC subcommittees.
The ARC is chartered for three years and includes membership from most industry associations that represent manufacturers, operators and repair stations as well as representatives from FAA, EASA, ICAO and Transport Canada.
AIA created a joint industry SMS working group with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association to follow ARC activities and share industry experiences and concerns during implementation of the SMS requirements.
AIA Source: ranee.carr[at]aia-aerospace.org