SMS Rule Expanded to include Part 135, NATA Providing Educational Resources

NATA (National Air Transportation Association) issued the following statement on the final FAA rule requiring the implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS) by on-demand air carriers operating under part 135.

The SMS Rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on April 26, 2024. Affected operators will have 36 months from the effective date of the rule to implement an SMS.

“It appears that the FAA has thoughtfully considered industry input in their drafting of the final SMS rule. In particular, NATA notes the extended timeline provided for industry compliance and the accommodations for single-pilot operators,” stated NATA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Alan Stephens.

“SMS is already an integral part of the aviation safety culture; this action solidifies our members’ dedication to system implementation and advancements. We are continuing conversations with the Agency to address our remaining concerns and develop opportunities to increase the industry's understanding of the new requirements. We look forward to the release of further FAA guidance that will inform both industry and agency field personnel on process and procedures for effective implementation,” stated NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna.

NATA is working in partnership with our members to ensure they have the knowledge and resources to comply with the regulations and realize the benefits of SMS. To that end, NATA offers several opportunities for all operators to learn more about the specifics of the rule and what it means for their business.

A recent NATA webinar provided best practices for SMS implementation utilizing a condition-based approach to adapting safety management to the specific attributes of their organization. A free recording can be found here.

On May 9, NATA will host another webinar on Dispelling Myths About the Updated and Expanded Part 5 SMS Rule. Registration is open to all part 135 operators.

The FAA’s SMS Office will be participating in NATA’s Air Charter Summit on June 25 to discuss the implementation of the rule and answer questions.