The FAA Issues its Safety Management ProposalThe FAA Issues its Safety Management ProposalThe FAA Issues its Safety Management Proposal

The FAA Issues its Safety Management Proposal

The FAA has proposed a rule to implement Safety Management Systems (SMS) which would apply to operators carrying passengers for hire, certain manufacturers, and type certificate holders. This proposal has been met with criticism from the repair station industry as it excludes them from the requirements, despite a similar earlier proposal, known as the Quality Management System (QMS), having been withdrawn due to concerns over costs. Although repair stations are not explicitly included, the author suggests that they may face pressure to adopt SMS in response to industry demands, international regulations, or self-imposed safety initiatives. The article further highlights the potential for foreign regulatory requirements to influence repair station practices in the United States, as countries such as China and the EU are actively integrating SMS into their own aviation regulations.