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SMS for Helicopters

Industry leaders commit to safety.

[Credit: iStock]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Commercial helicopter operators are proactively adopting Safety Management Systems (SMS) to manage safety and mitigate risks, anticipating future FAA mandates for Part 91 and 135 operations, similar to past requirements for Part 121 operators.
  • An SMS is defined by four core components—safety policy, safety risk management, safety assurance, and safety promotion—which collectively foster a strong safety culture through continuous risk assessment and open communication.
  • Despite perceived costs or lack of current mandates, organizations like HAI provide guidance, support, and vetted software solutions to help businesses implement and evolve their SMS, extending beyond flight operations to all industrial activities.
  • Effective SMS relies on objective third-party oversight and empowers employees to identify risks, addressing common accident causes such as poor aeronautical decision-making often influenced by weather or operational pressure.
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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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