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
These areas work together under the FAA’s Integrated Oversight Philosophy (IOP) to improve safety performance through data-driven, collaborative, and proactive approaches.
Safety Management Systems (SMS)
A Safety Management System (SMS) is a formal, organization-wide approach to managing safety risk and ensuring effective safety controls. SMS 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
- Defining how Flight Standards oversees and integrates SMS across the National Airspace System
- Supporting Leadership and Policy Development
- Aligning with FAA leadership and FAA Flight Plan 2026, and contributing to SMS policy, rulemaking, and future concepts
- Standardizing Oversight
- Promoting a data-driven, systems-based, risk-focused approach rather than task-based prescriptive compliance
- Establishing consistent terminology, expectations, and evaluation methods
- Developing Tools and Training
- Creating and managing policy, guidance, training, and outreach materials for FAA personnel and those in the aviation industry
- Coordinating Across FAA Offices
- Ensuring oversight systems are consistent and information is effectively shared
- Supporting Implementation
- Assisting field offices and aviation organizations in adopting both voluntary and regulatory SMS programs
- Driving Continuous Improvement
- Communicating lessons learned and recommending updates to policy, training, and guidance
FAA Compliance Program
The FAA Compliance Program objective is to identify safety issues, such as deviation from regulations and other safety standards, and to ensure effective and efficient correction. The 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 and preventing reoccurrence
- Standardizing how FAA personnel evaluate deviations (including intent, risk, and safety impact)
- Providing tools, training, and job aids for inspectors
- Coordinating across FAA offices to ensure consistent handling of regulatory violations and other safety deviations
- Monitoring program effectiveness and alignment with core principles
- Facilitating communication and information sharing, within the FAA and with the aviation industry
- Aligning compliance activities with broader SMS and voluntary reporting efforts
Voluntary Reporting Programs
The Voluntary Reporting Programs are nonpunitive, collaborative systems designed to improve aviation safety by encouraging the proactive identification, disclosure, and correction of safety deviations. They are key components of the FAA’s safety strategy. These voluntary programs encourage aviation organizations and individuals to identify, report, and correct safety issues proactively.
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 aviation industry
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:
Aviation Safety Action Program | Federal Aviation Administration
Compliance Program | Federal Aviation Administration
Voluntary Programs, including FOQA, LOSA, IEP and VDRP:
Implementation & Integration Group | Federal Aviation Administration
SMS:
FAA Aviation Safety Outreach | Federal Aviation Administration
Safety Management System (SMS) | Federal Aviation Administration
VDRP - Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Program
Dynamic Regulatory System
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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