What is the primary focus of aviation safety management systems (SMS)?

The primary focus of aviation safety management systems (SMS) is to proactively manage safety risks in aviation. SMS is designed to provide a structured and systematic approach to identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing appropriate safety controls to mitigate those risks. This proactive management helps organizations continuously improve their safety performance by fostering a culture where safety is embedded in all operations.

Through robust risk assessment processes, SMS enables aviation stakeholders to understand and prioritize safety issues effectively, contributing to the overall safety of flight operations. The proactive nature of SMS allows for the identification of potential safety risks before they lead to incidents or accidents, making it a crucial aspect of aviation safety management. By focusing on risk management, SMS aims to create safer environments, ensuring that safety practices are not merely reactive, but are integrated into the operational framework.

While enhancing flight efficiency, reducing operational costs, and ensuring compliance with regulations are important aspects of the aviation industry, they do not encapsulate the central aim of SMS, which is focused specifically on safety risk management.