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SMS for Helicopters

Industry leaders commit to safety.

[Credit: iStock]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Commercial helicopter operators are being encouraged to proactively adopt Safety Management Systems (SMS) to manage risk and cultivate a strong safety culture, anticipating future FAA mandates.
  • An effective SMS comprises four components—safety policy, risk management, assurance, and promotion—requiring continuous self-assessment, open communication, and a focus on improving pilot decision-making.
  • The Helicopter Association International (HAI) assists operators by providing guidance, resources, and vetted third-party software solutions, helping businesses of all sizes implement scalable SMS across their entire organization.
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When you were a child, did you ever hear this from a parent: “Clean up your room, or I will clean it up for you!” This usually was not a good thing, as the parent method of ‘cleaning up your room’ is more scorched earth than Mary Poppins.

A similar situation exists in the aviation industry as commercial helicopter operators are crafting safety management systems (SMS) for their businesses before the FAA makes one for them.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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