Background
The FAA has adopted the principles of Safety Management Systems (SMS) for aviation service providers, and the agency ’s Airports organization is working to develop SMS guidance for airports. As part of this effort, we’ve initiated pilot studies to help us determine the appropriate scope and detail of that guidance. The pilot studies will encourage and assist airports in developing an SMS and allow them to share their experiences and SMS practices with other airports and the FAA.
Funding
Airports participating in the pilot study are eligible for AIP planning grants to cover the cost of developing an initial SMS plan. Airports, however, do not need to apply for a grant to participate.
First Pilot Study
Under the first Airport SMS Pilot Study, we selected 26 airports to participate, 20 of which received AIP grants to develop their SMS Manual and implementation plan. Airports participating in the study were required to follow a Statement of Work and Pilot Study Participant Guide, which detailed the deliverables and time frames for the study. In October 2008, we plan to issue a report on the first Airport SMS Pilot Study.
- Airports Participating in First Pilot Study
- SMS Statement of Work - First Pilot Study (PDF)
- SMS Participant Guide - First Pilot Study (PDF)
- SMS for Airports - Findings of the First Pilot Study: PDF (780 KB), PPS (12 MB) (11/4/2008)
Second Pilot Study
We have begun a second SMS Pilot Study to gather information on scalability and how smaller airports might implement SMS. We are currently reviewing grant applications for this study and are no longer accepting letters of interest from potential participants.
- Airports Participating in Second Pilot Study
- Notice of Second Pilot Study (PDF)
- SMS Statement of Work - Second Pilot Study (PDF)
- SMS Participant Guide - Second Pilot Study (PDF)
Questions
Keri Spencer
SMS Project Manager
Airport Safety and Operations Division
(202) 267-8972
keri.spencer@faa.gov
