Regulations and Government
NATA To Seek Comment Extension on SMS Proposal
While industry is embracing the release of the proposal expanding SMS to Part 135, air tours, and manufacture, it is weighing effects on small operators.
Pilots reviewing checklist in flight deck
While the industry is embracing the release of the proposal expanding SMS to Part 135, air tours, and manufacture, it is weighing the effects on small operators. (Photo: Adobe Stock)

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is eyeing a request for an extension of the comment period on the FAA’s notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to extend safety management system (SMS) mandates to on-demand and air tour operations, as well as manufacturers. Published in the Federal Register on January 11, the much-anticipated proposal is open for comment through March 13.

Mandated by Congress, the proposal would require on-demand operations, commercial air tour operators, production certificate holders that are holders or licensees of a type certificate (TC) for the same product, and holders of a TC who license out that TC for production to comply with the SMS requirements under Part 5. These requirements have been in place for airlines since 2018. Notably absent from the proposal are Part 145 repair stations.

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