AirCare1 receives FAA acceptance for voluntary SMS program

Air ambulance provider AirCare1 has received recognition for its safety management system (SMS) under the FAA voluntary program. The Phoenix-based organization emphasized that safety risk management is a cornerstone of its operations and stated it chose to implement the voluntary program ahead of the Part 135 mandate to demonstrate its commitment to safety.

FAA acceptance followed a 16-month evaluation period of AirCare1’s safety practices. During this process, the company demonstrated the four pillars of its SMS program: defining safety objectives and employee responsibilities; identifying hazards and analyzing risk factors to improve flight operations; ensuring the effectiveness of safety risk controls through consistent data collection and analysis; and training staff in safety risk management while encouraging open communication about safety concerns.

The company highlighted several benefits of the program, including fostering a strong safety culture and supporting a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential problems before they occur. For patients, AirCare1 noted that it provides an extra level of peace of mind and increased confidence in the company's adherence to high standards.