SMS in EASA Approved Part-145 Organisations

Those who have been following and/or working within the Aviation industry for the past years know that Safety and Quality remain a top priority for the global aviation communities. Afterall the industry always sought to instil a high level of confidence in the flying public. Commuters, holiday makers coming from all walks of life trust the industry with their lives each and every time they board an aircraft. With this in mind the global aviation community strived to continuously update and develop technology, processes and procedures that would enhance safety and quality in all aviation related activities. Safety Management Systems or SMS for short, is yet another step towards safety excellence.

Safety Management Systems originated from the concepts of Quality Management Systems, gradually evolving into an independent approach in its own regard. Whereas a Quality management System, as originally proposed in international standards such as the ISO 9000 framework relies heavily on Auditing, SMS introduces the concept of pro-activeness and risk assessment. Whereas QMS is traditionally REACTIVE, SMS is PROACTIVE AND PREDICTIVE. 

ICAO Annex 19

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in response to high-level Safety Conference 2010 supported a two-phased approach for the creation of a new safety management Annex, which we now in the Aviation Industry refer to as ICAO Annex 19.

On the 25^th February 2013 the First Edition of Annex 19 was unanimously adopted by the council. An amendment to Annex 19 was later adopted by the council on the 2^nd March 2016, which became effective on the 11^th July of 2016 and applicable as of the 7^th November of 2019. All states ratifying the Chicago Convention were expected to begin working on implementation from the applicable date.

In response to this the European Commission issued a Communication to the council and the European Parliament about setting up an Aviation Safety Management System for Europe. This kick-started a process on a European level to develop and implement Safety Management in Aviation Services providers across the block.

SMS in EU and EASA Member States

Air Operators in the EU and EASA Member states were the first ones to implement SMS. The Part-ORO (Operational Requirements) regulation becoming effective in July 2018, emphasised the need for organisations to establish an effective SMS. This regulation applied to commercial air transport operations and further solidified EASA’s commitment to integrating SMS principles into various operational aspects.

Later the EU mandated the implementation of SMS in Continuing Airworthiness Management organisations, most commonly referred to as CAMO through Regulation 2019/1383 amending Regulation EU 1321/2014 for continuing airworthiness, which became applicable on 24^th March 2020. Annex Vc (Part – CAMO) was introduced and CAMO organisations holding Part M Subpart G Approvals had to undergo a transition to obtain a Part CAMO approval. As a matter of fact by March 2022 Part M Subpart G became obsolete and all organisations providing CAMO services are now required to apply and be compliant with 1321/2014 Annex Vc (Part CAMO) requirements.

SMS in EASA Part 145 Approved Organisations

EU regulation 2021/1963 amending EU regulation 1321/2014 introduces a set of new requirements in Part 145 organisations among which are SMS requirements through 145.A.200, 145.A.202 and 145.A.205.

The principles of the requirements in points 145.A.200, 145.A.202, 145.A.205 and the related AMC constitute the EU management system framework for aviation safety management. This framework addresses the core elements of the ICAO safety management system (SMS) framework defined in Appendix 2 to Annex 19, includes the elements of the compliance monitoring system, and promotes an integrated approach to the management of an organisation.

We are in the midst of a transition period where all EASA Part 145 Approved Maintenance and Repair Organisations are required to develop, document and implement a Safety Management System. All EASA approved Part 145 organisation should be compliant with the amendments introduced by EU regulation 2021/1963 by the 2^nd December 2024. Make sure to add this date to your calendar!!

How can Raven help your Part 145 Organisation?

Our mission here at Raven is to provide unprecedented access to the world’s best aerospace education and empower the aviation communities using innovative training methodologies and learning immersion, thus together with our partners are bringing to the market a set of high quality training programmes specifically designed to support EASA Approved Part 145 organisations, to gain the required knowledge and expertise to implement and design a proper functioning Safety Management System. 

Raven is offering two hybrid courses, one of them focusing only on SMS Theory and Implementation within a part 145 environment, and another more comprehensive course covering also Part 145 regulation.