News
Canada and EU Implement Requirement for Safety Management Systems Program
by Scott Burgess, released on Thursday, September 30, 2010
ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) convened a Director General's Conference that resulted in amendments to the ICAO Rules for International General Aviation Operations. ICAO's vision of safe, secure and sustainable development of civil aviation through cooperation amongst its member States is mandated through the Safety Management Systems ("SMS") program. The ICAO amendments require all aircraft operators and lessees to create and implement a SMS program, in accordance with the laws governing use and operation of the aircraft.
To date, only Canada has a SMS Private Operator Certificate Program. The European Union Aviation Safety Authority has an SMS program implementation date of November 18, 2010. To date, the United States Federal Aviation Administration has only produced a notice of proposed rulemaking, dated October 21, 2009. The FAA has not provided any information as to when the SMS program will go into effect in the United States, nor what requirements will need to be met.
However, if you intend to fly in and about either Canada or the European Union, you will be required to have an SMS protocol in place, in compliance with their regulations. If you intend to fly in and out of or around Canada or the European Union, and would like more information on this program, you may contact Scott Burgess for further information.
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