What is the main intention of the Safety Management System (SMS)?

The main intention of the Safety Management System (SMS) is to enhance aviation safety through systematic procedures for identifying hazards and managing risk. SMS is designed to create a proactive approach to safety in aviation operations, enabling organizations to identify potential hazards before they lead to incidents or accidents. This systematic framework encourages a culture of safety where risks are assessed, mitigated, and monitored regularly.

By focusing on the identification of hazards and managing risks through structured processes, SMS facilitates continuous improvement in safety performance. It empowers all personnel within an organization, from management to frontline staff, to contribute to safety efforts and to communicate safety concerns openly. This comprehensive approach ultimately aims to reduce the likelihood of accidents and incidents, thereby significantly improving overall safety in aviation operations.

While improving pilot training programs and standards or reducing aircraft maintenance costs can certainly contribute to a safer aviation environment, they are not the primary focus of SMS. The development of new aviation technologies for navigation, while important, is also outside the core objectives of SMS, which is fundamentally about fostering a safer operational environment through risk management.