During a recent government meeting, officials discussed ongoing safety concerns in the aviation sector, particularly regarding the implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS) among operators. The dialogue highlighted the necessity for effective SMS plans that are sensitive to safety threats in the manufacturing process and emphasized the importance of proper execution and oversight.

One official raised concerns about the confidence in SMS effectiveness, especially with the influx of new operators under Part 135 regulations. They questioned whether the lessons learned from existing operators under Part 121, who have faced safety issues despite having SMS in place, would translate into improved safety outcomes for the new operators.

In response, another official defended the rollout of SMS among Part 121 carriers, citing its success in risk identification and mitigation. They acknowledged that while SMS may initially seem like an administrative burden, its true value lies in enhancing safety through continuous risk evaluation and management. The official referenced Boeing's recent collaboration with established carriers to refine their SMS approach, indicating a tailored strategy is essential for smaller operators to avoid overwhelming them with processes.

The discussion also touched on the Aircraft Certification Safety and Accountability Act of 2020, which aims to bolster safety measures in the aviation industry. The officials underscored the critical need for all operators to actively engage in risk management to ensure the safety of air travel.