FAA issues new advisory circular on safety management systems

The FAA recently published Advisory Circular AC 120-92D to assist operators in complying with new rules that mandate the development of safety management systems (SMS) under FAR Part 5. These requirements apply to Part 135 on-demand operators, air tour operators, Part 21 design or production certificate holders, and certain Part 91 operators approved to conduct air tours.

The 130-page document updates a 2015 advisory circular and applies to operators previously required to have an SMS under Part 5, such as Part 121 and 135 airlines. This revised circular may also help aviation organizations seeking “FAA acknowledgment” for their voluntary development and implementation of an SMS. Additionally, the AC provides a method for organizations to meet ICAO Annex 19, which addresses “safety management framework for an SMS acceptable to the state.”

Given the wide range of complexity and size among operators, the circular states that SMS policies, methods, and procedures can be tailored as needed. However, this scalability “does not allow the aviation organization to set aside any sections of Part 5.” The AC includes examples of how an organization may integrate “new practical, economical, and effective SMS methods and procedures that complement their existing operations and processes while leveraging the policies, procedures, or methods already in place that comply with Part 5.”