Regulations and Government
FAA Seeks More Time On Safety Management Plan
Because it has not completed guidelines for a Safety Management System (SMS) for U.S.

Because it has not completed guidelines for a Safety Management System (SMS) for U.S. operators, the FAA filed a “difference” with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) early last month over the Jan. 1, 2009 deadline for having SMS requirements.

Compliance with the ICAO standards depends on FAA action to define specific requirements, but the agency has not yet developed regulations or policy for implementation of SMS by operators. The FAA has published Advisory Circular (AC) 120-92, “Introduction to Safety Management Systems for Air Operators,” which contains information for operators to develop SMS programs voluntarily.