A Safety Management System (SMS) provides an organization’s management with a set of decision making tools that can be used to plan, organize, direct and control its business activities in a manner that enhances safety and ensures compliance with regulatory standards. Historically, aviation safety has been built on reactive or past events and has considered technical compliance with regulations as sufficient. The application of SMS at an airport can contribute to improvements in aviation safety by increasing the likelihood that airport operators and other stakeholders will detect and correct airport safety problems before they result in an accident or incident.
In 2001, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) adopted standards and recommended practices for SMS which were accepted by aviation authorities around the world. LeighFisher (and its predecessor Jacobs Consultancy) has assisted some 60 airports around the world with SMS development and implementation since the concept was introduced by ICAO. This includes five airports in the United States, 35 in Canada, and 20 internationally.
We have domestic and international experience and exposure, second to none, with a deep understanding of ICAO, US, Canadian and international SMS regulations. Our in-house depth and breadth of SMS experience in North America and around the world combined with our 60 year history and familiarity with many of the domestic and world’s airports means that we can bring international best practices and lessons learned to bear when assisting your airport with SMS.
With SMS for U.S. Part 139 Certificated Airports coming soon, LeighFisher can help develop practical solutions tailored to meet your unique operational situation.
