A Safety Management System (SMS) is an essential part of operating in today’s aviation industry.

This advanced course introduces participants to the key tools to manage a performance-based SMS. The processes examined are equally applicable to airline, airport, Air Traffic Management and other aviation operations.

Participants will be able to streamline the operational and business processes of their companies and demonstrate improved safety performance to their Board of Directors, insurance underwriters, their clients and customers, and the regulatory agencies that oversee them. Managers and staff from Safety Offices will particularly benefit from the course, as will representatives from Civil Aviation Authorities.

Available as: Classroom & In-Company course
Duration: 5 days (40 hours)
Recommended level: Professional and Management
Prerequisites: Participants should have a basic knowledge of ICAO Doc 9859 Safety Management System (SMS) principles and concept

Download full outline (pdf)

Learn how to:

• Proactively manage safety
• Upgrade your organization’s SMS tools
• Integrate SMS into other management systems
• Improve safety culture

• Safety and Operations Managers from Airlines, Airports, Civil Aviation Authorities and Air Navigation Service Providers

ICAO SMS concepts refresher 

Overview of safety management 

Hazard and risk management 

• The full cycle of hazard identification, risk control and risk assurance 
• System Safety Deficiencies 
• The proactive way of identifying hazards though the operations process analysis 
• Issues relating to Human Factors and risk visibility 

ICAO requirements 

• State Safety Program (SSP) 
• Safety Management System 
• Acceptable level of safety  performance 

• Key appointments, structure and committees 
• Hazard management mechanisms 
• Data management 
• Change management 
• How risk culture and risk management can be implemented for daily line operations (ground and flight) 

• Safety assurance methodology  
• Acceptable level of safety  performance 
• Performance Measurement 
• Continuous improvement 

Strategic integration

The cost of safety 

• Main business drivers for safety 
• Cost of safety 
• Resource needs 

An IATA Certificate of Completion is awarded to participants obtaining a grade of 70% or higher on all exercises and exams. A special distinction is awarded to participants obtaining a grade of 90% or higher.

About IATA Classroom Training
We train more than 10,000 aviation professionals annually through our global network of IATA Training Centers, Regional Training Partners, and in private in-company sessions. Our 200+ classroom courses are developed using IATA’s unique industry insight and delivered by IATA Instructors, experts in their fields. More

Further training
Graduates of this course can apply for the Harvard ManageMentor (HMM) distance learning program at a special graduate price.

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