Safety Management System Voluntary Program (SMSVP)

Airplane flying in clouds

Overview of SMS

Safety Management System (SMS) is a formal, top-down, organization-wide approach to managing safety risk and ensuring the effectiveness of safety risk controls.

 An SMS is made up of four components. 

4 components of an SMS. Safety policy, safety assurance, safety risk management, and safety promotion.

 

What is the SMSVP?

The FAA SMSVP are the procedures and requirements for non-14 CFR part 121 Air Operators and Air Agencies who would like to voluntarily implement an SMS. Certificate Holders who participate in the SMSVP and meet all program requirements will have a state-accepted SMS that meets the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) SMS requirements.

What are the benefits of managing safety with a voluntary, formal, SMS?

  • Increases safety by supporting a proactive, predictive method of managing safety to identify and address problems before they occur.
  • Demonstrates safety as a priority to recruit and retain high-caliber staff and to strengthen an organization's safety culture.
  • Realizes cost savings with the ability to anticipate and prevent costly accidents.
  • Improves data-informed decision making to prioritize resource allocation.
  • Increases customer confidence in the Certificate Holder's ability to operate safely and potentially increase new and returning business. 
  • Enhances communication about safety by using common, consistent terminology within the organization and throughout the industry.
  • Increases eligibility for certain contracts.
  • An FAA-accepted SMS is recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization

What SMSVP resources are available?

Where can I get support or find additional information about SMSVP?

For additional questions and support, contact the Federal Aviation Administration Office of Safety Standards, SMS Program Office:  9-NATL-SMS-ProgramOffice@faa.gov. If you are contacting the SMS Program Office, please include the 14 CFR part associated with the request or question and provide the company name and location (city/state), if applicable.