The National Air Transportation Association is launching a Voluntary SMS Implementation Project (VSIP) to assess the application of safety management systems across the diverse Part 135 charter and Part 145 repair station communities.
Expected to kick off shortly with an organizational meeting next week, the project comes as the FAA has stated plans to issue regulations next year that would mandate Part 135 and 145 operators to implement SMS. The agency is widely anticipated to use regulations already in place for Part 121 carriers (FAR Part 5) as a basis for the new regulations.
A key question, however, is whether such requirements can roll over successfully to the range of operations involved in Parts 135 and 145, especially in areas such as training and data collection and assessment.
VSIP would delve into that question and point to future SMS requirements that could apply across a gamut of charter operators and repair stations. “This project is intended to identify SMS requirements appropriate for the various size, scope, and complexity of operators that comprise the Part 135/145 community,” NATA said in a letter explaining VSIP. “Additionally, the VSIP will allow for collection of implementation lessons learned and best practices that NATA will share with the FAA to aid in the rulemaking effort and development of inspector training and oversight guidance.”
Ten businesses of varying sizes and locations have committed to participate in the project, organizers said. The participants have a range of experience with SMS, some having a level of knowledge of certain safety programs already in place and others completely new to the program. They will incorporate an SMS program based on one already successfully in place with Jet Linx.
The project will include implementation assistance and mentoring, as well as onsite visits that will help gather information on what does and does not work for various operators. VSIP is intended to consider resource constraints, limited safety data collection capabilities, and other limitations involved with implementing SMS. The research will explore effects even on the smallest of operations, including single-pilot organizations.
A key element will involve looking at practical means for safety reporting for smaller operators and whether such reporting could interface with programs such as the Aviation Safety Action Program and the Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Program. It would further consider the possible aggregation of such programs.
The project also will gather data on efficiencies and other benefits SMS brings to operators. Information gathered would be shared with the FAA, which is working with NATA on the project. Part 5 emphasizes “scalability” in the SMS programs, but NATA instead hopes to concentrate on a “conditions-based approach.”
Overall, the goal would be to bring the operators together after a sustained period to share ideas on what works best with the SMS for them, similar to an approach taken with Part 121.
VSIP is among a number of initiatives NATA has undertaken as it strives to raise awareness and prepare charter operators for the looming requirements. It also has worked with the Transportation Safety Institute to develop a week-long course on SMS and has developed an air transportation safety manager certification program.