Where to start?
Regardless of your regulatory environment or type of business, ICAO is the primary source of information and guidelines. An increasing number of aviation authorities also publish their own, which may (unduly) look like subtle variations, but only ICAO sets the tone for the entire industry. The 4 SMS components and its 12 elements, the staged implementation, sample policies, etc. can all be found there.
What's our added value?
Implementing, integrating or simply running an SMS may seem daunting. There's no reason to sweat: it's not that difficult, but some steps are indeed critical to ensure you're on the right track. And we're there to make it simpler, faster and more efficient for your company.
Helpful support tailored to your needs
In parallel to precisely delimited services on specific issues, we also assist full-scale SMS implementation projects. Depending on the size and complexity of the operation, one of the three support programmes we propose will exactly match your needs. Of course we go even further by tailoring the programme you chose to your specific needs.
| Items | Tropo | Strato | Astro |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMS gap analysis | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SMS training | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hazard identification workshop | - | Yes | Yes |
| SMS project management | - | - | Yes |
| SMS / Operations Manual | - | Opt. | Opt. |
| SMS / QMS Software | - | - | Opt. |
| Flight Data Monitoring | - | - | Opt. |
| SMS external audit (IS-BAO or other) | - | - | Yes |
This table shows you the different constituents of our programmes and the possible combinations.
A "Yes" means that the item is included by default into a specific programme.
"Opt.": certain items may not be applicable to your company (i.e. Flight Data Monitoring in a maintenance organisation) and therefore will not be included.
"Opt." also means that if your company already has something similar or acceptable to the authority, that item is not automatically included.
Tropo (from the Greek tropos, or "turn"): marks the first turn of a company towards Safety Management. This program is specifically designed for companies with sufficient internal resources to develop their SMS but need to jump-start its implementation.
Strato: this programme is specifically tailored for companies that already have internal processes, procedures and manuals but lack the specific tools to manage an SMS.
Astro: the most comprehensive, time- and cost-effective programme for companies and organisations of any size that don't have the manpower and/or time to implement an SMS by themselves. If you're among the operators who see the regulatory deadline approaching very fast but have no plans, this is what you need to save your Airworthiness Certificates from the CAA paper shredders.
What if I'm just looking for SMS training?
Whatever your regulatory environment, all staff must receive SMS training commensurate with their level of accountability within the organisation. This implies that only in-house courses can generate the return on investment you rightfully expect from your investment in SMS. On the other hand, in-house training is the most time- and cost-effective method of acquiring the required knowledge, gaining precious feedback and obtaining meaningful solutions to your specific issues. Far from the "tick-the-box-and-forget" seminars , we rather propose partnerships to develop an effective training programme that will educate and empower staff to preserve the resources of their employer.
The only purpose of an SMS is to preserve the vital resources of your company.
For some, being safe is perceived as an expensive, illusive and never-ending obligation with unclear returns on the investment. But let’s not miss the real targets. Accidents, incidents and even the smallest occurrences hurt your customers and staff, not to mention the damage to your profit line, the reputation or the morale within the company.
Preserve the vital resources of your company to maximise mission efficiency.
Safety Management is about finding the perfect balance between the production of your services and products, and the protection of your human, financial and technical resources. It is not about putting so many safety nets between you and your customers' needs that your business becomes irrelevant.
Maximise mission efficiency through SMS.
In clear and simple language, where can we be of assistance for you? To reap the benefits of SMS and meet regulatory requirements, your company must demonstrate the following:
- Specific hazards and risks to your company are constantly identified, monitored and acted upon through mitigation measures
- A positive safety culture is constantly nurtured and coherently supported by management
- Staff members receive the appropriate training, tools, resources and accountability to perform their job efficiently and safely
- An emergency response plan (or business continuity plan) is put in place to weather the storms and achieve resilience
- Inspections, audits and performance indicators repeatedly inform you on the safety level achieved in the company
- Mandatory and optional investments in safety (i.e. training, technology) are monitored and optimised based on their returns
Stick to SMS, avoid an SLS: get audited !
SLS, or Safety Labyrinth System, is exactly what an SMS shouldn't turn into. It's the archetype of the muddy administrative nightmare that adds no value and strains your resources. Sometimes it doesn't take long before an SMS implementation project creates an SLS. Sometimes the change takes place so slowly you don't notice it right away. Make sure you avoid feeding an SLS into your organisation: get someone from the outside to have an independent and fresh look on your operations.