U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Safety Management System Regulations: An Informal Policy Evaluation

Abstract

Verbatim from Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons. Not paraphrased, not summarized.

The United States (US) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revised 14 CFR § Part 5 Safety Management Systems, effective May 28, 2024. US air carriers have one year to modify their existing Safety Management System (SMS), whereas commuter and on-demand operators, commercial air tour operators, certain production certificate holders, and certain holders of a type certificate must implement an SMS within three years. The sociopolitical and legal rule-making processes are complex. This research evaluates the most recently revised FAA SMS regulations through the lens of prevailing literature, theories, and standard practices. Policy assessments and evaluations by non-governmental stakeholders can further inform government personnel and private stakeholders in current compliance efforts and subsequent regulatory evolutions. The non-substantive changes are presented, and substantive changes are critically evaluated for alignment with prevailing literature. The research results give industry, regulatory, and political stakeholders critical considerations for compliance efforts, lobbying, and subsequent regulatory developments.

Author

• Roggow, Brian J Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Keywords

• Safety Management Systems
• Policy Assessment
• Policy Evaluation
• Code of Ethics
• Aviation
• Aviation Safety and Security
• Management and Operations