What is a Safety Management System (SMS)?

A Safety Management System (SMS) is a comprehensive, systematic approach to managing safety risks in aviation. It involves identifying potential hazards, assessing risks, and implementing controls to mitigate those risks effectively. By integrating safety into all organizational processes, SMS ensures that safety is a priority in day-to-day operations and decision-making. This system encourages a proactive culture by promoting continuous improvement and accountability, which ultimately enhances operational safety.

Focusing solely on training methods or financial management overlooks the broader perspective of risk management and safety culture that SMS encompasses. Additionally, limiting the assessment merely to pilot performance does not capture the holistic approach that an SMS provides, as it involves evaluating safety at all levels of an organization, including processes, policies, and the environmental factors that contribute to safety outcomes.