Safety Management Branch (SMB)

The Flight Standards Safety Management Branch (SMB) (AFS-940) is responsible for the continued development and integration of three core safety functions:

• Safety Management Systems (SMS) 
• FAA Compliance Program 
• Voluntary Reporting Programs

The Safety Management Branch ensures that SMS, the Compliance Program, and Voluntary Reporting Programs are fully aligned and mutually reinforcing. Together, these programs enable the FAA and industry to:

• Identify risks earlier 
• Address safety issues more effectively 
• Reduce duplication and inefficiencies 
• Continuously improve safety performance

This integrated, data-driven approach represents the FAA’s commitment to a modern, proactive, and collaborative safety system to elevate aviation safety.
 

Safety Management Systems (SMS)

A Safety Management System (SMS) is a formal, organization-wide approach to managing safety risk and ensuring effective safety controls. It provides a structured framework of policies, procedures, and practices that enable organizations to identify hazards, assess risk, and continuously improve safety performance.

The Safety Management Branch supports SMS implementation and oversight by:

• Setting Strategic Direction 
  • Defines how Flight Standards oversees and integrates SMS across the aviation system 
• Supporting Leadership and Policy Development 
  • Aligns with FAA leadership and contributes to SMS policy, rulemaking, and future concepts 
• Standardizing Oversight 
  • Promotes a systems-based, risk-focused approach rather than task-based compliance 
  • Establishes consistent terminology, expectations, and evaluation methods 
• Developing Tools and Training 
  • Creates policy, guidance, training, and outreach materials for inspectors and industry 
• Coordinating Across FAA Offices 
  • Ensures oversight systems are aligned and information is effectively shared 
• Supporting Implementation 
  • Assists field offices and aviation organizations in adopting both voluntary and regulatory SMS programs 
• Driving Continuous Improvement 
  • Shares lessons learned and recommends updates to policy, training, and guidance 
     

FAA Compliance Program

The FAA Compliance Program focuses on improving safety by identifying and correcting issues through a collaborative, non-punitive approach.

Rather than relying solely on enforcement actions, the program emphasizes:

• Understanding the root causes of noncompliance 
• Encouraging voluntary correction 
• Promoting long-term safety improvements 

This approach builds trust and transparency between the FAA and industry while strengthening overall safety performance. 

The Safety Management Branch supports the Compliance Program by:

• Developing and maintaining policy and guidance 
• Promoting a consistent, risk-informed approach to addressing noncompliance 
• Standardizing how inspectors evaluate deviations (including intent, risk, and safety impact) 
• Providing tools, training, and job aids for inspectors 
• Coordinating across Flight Standards offices and Certificate Management Teams (CMTs) 
• Monitoring program effectiveness and alignment with core principles 
• Facilitating communication and information sharing 
• Aligning compliance activities with broader SMS efforts 

Voluntary Reporting Programs

Voluntary Reporting Programs are a key component of the FAA’s safety strategy. These programs encourage aviation organizations and individuals to identify, report, and correct safety issues proactively.

The Safety Management Branch manages and supports several voluntary programs, including:

• Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Program (VDRP) 
• Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) 
• Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) 
• Line Operations Safety Assessment (LOSA) 
• Internal Evaluation Programs (IEP)

When issues are disclosed, corrected, and prevented from recurring, the FAA may choose not to pursue enforcement action. This approach:

• Encourages openness and transparency 
• Improves hazard identification 
• Strengthens safety culture across the industry 

The Safety Management Branch supports these programs by:

• Developing policy and guidance for voluntary reporting programs 
• Modernizing programs and supports testing of new approaches 
• Promoting consistent application across Flight Standards offices 
• Providing inspectors with tools and training to evaluate disclosures 
• Conducting outreach to industry and FAA personnel 
• Encouraging self-identification and reporting of safety issues 
• Sharing lessons learned and best practices 
• Coordinating across Flight Standards offices to ensure consistent handling of disclosures 
• Monitoring program performance and alignment with Compliance Program principles 
• Recommending updates to policy, guidance, and training 
   

Programs Managed by SMB

The Safety Management Branch manages and supports several voluntary programs, including:

• Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Program (VDRP) 
• Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) 
• Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) 
• Line Operations Safety Assessment (LOSA) 
• Internal Evaluation Programs (IEP) 

The Safety Management Branch supports these programs by:

• Developing policy and guidance for voluntary reporting programs 
• Modernizing programs and supports testing of new approaches 
• Promoting consistency across Flight Standards offices 
• Providing inspectors with tools and training to evaluate disclosures 
• Conducting and supporting outreach to industry and FAA personnel 
• Encouraging certificate holder self-identification and reporting of safety issues 
• Sharing lessons learned and best practices, within the FAA and with the aviation industry\
• Coordinating across FAA offices to ensure consistent handling of disclosures 
• Monitoring the performance of voluntary reporting programs
• Ensuring alignment with SMS and Compliance Program principles 
• Recommending voluntary reporting program updates to policy, guidance, and training

Integrated Approach to Safety

The Safety Management Branch ensures that SMS, the Compliance Program, and Voluntary Reporting Programs are fully aligned and mutually reinforcing.

Together, these initiative enable the FAA and industry to:

• Identify risks earlier 
• Address safety issues more effectively 
• Reduce duplication and inefficiencies 
• Continuously improve safety performance 

This integrated, data-driven approach represents the FAA’s commitment to a modern, proactive, and collaborative safety system.

Associated websites:
Dynamic Regulatory System
FAA Aviation Safety Outreach | Federal Aviation Administration

Compliance Program:
Compliance Program | Federal Aviation Administration

Voluntary Programs, including ASAP, FOQA, LOSA, IEP and VDRP: 
Implementation & Integration Group | Federal Aviation Administration
Aviation Safety Action Program | Federal Aviation Administration
VDRP - Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Program

Safety Management System: 
Safety Management System (SMS) | Federal Aviation Administration
For additional questions and support, contact the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Safety Standards, Safety Management Branch: 9-FAA-SMB@faa.gov

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