Why Create An Aviation SMS Manual
Why Create An Aviation SMS Manual
ICAO 9859 calls for aviation organizations to document their SMS. This can be a simple document referencing the policies
and procedures or a detailed manual.
If you run a small operation, or many processes are already in place, a simple document might be all you need.
Most organizations will need a detailed manual. An SMS manual shares much in common with your quality manual if you
conveniently have one.
An SMS manual includes documentation of your safety management system. This starts with the philosophy and the policy
statements that define your SMS. It will also include all the processes and procedures that make up your SMS.
If this sounds like a lot, that’s because it is.
So why go through all the trouble? ICAO calls for one, which means your local civil aviation authority (CAA) probably does
as well. But there’s another good reason to create a high-quality SMS manual.
A well-crafted manual provides transparency, which in turn fosters a healthy safety culture.
Where Do I Start?
You’ll start assembling your SMS manual as soon as you start implementation. Regardless, you’ll start creating the pieces
anyway. As you build the policies, processes, and procedures of your SMS, you’ll document them and add them to your
manual.
Don’t try to sit down and write your SMS manual all at once. Rather, treat it like a gallery. You’ll collect the pieces and
arrange them in a way that makes them useful and easily accessible.
Make a list of things to include in your SMS manual. Your gap analysis and implementation plan will offer considerable
guidance here. Include or reference processes already in place and then create placeholders for sections that have yet to be
created.
Looking to ICAO for SMS Manual Guidance
Another method is presented in Appendix 4 to Chapter 5 of ICAO 9859. Their format suggests 15 sections with standardized
subheadings. This example is a good place to start if you’re not sure what should go into your manual.
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