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By following this guide, you will configure your organization’s SMS settings — including Part 5 personnel designations, safety policy, operator classification, FAA peer group, integrations, and data export.
Who should read this: Safety managers, SMS managers, and accountable executives who are responsible for maintaining a compliant SMS under 14 CFR Part 5. Most safety settings require the workspace_settings permission. The Data Export page additionally requires the System Administrator or Accountable Executive role.
In the Safety module sidebar, click Settings. The hub displays four cards: Click Manage on any card to open that section.

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Key Personnel (14 CFR 5.23 and 5.25)

The Key Personnel page shows which workspace members hold the two Part 5 mandatory roles. Role assignments are read from the membership list — you designate roles by changing a member’s role on the Members page, not directly on this page.

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Required designations

If either role is unassigned, the page displays a warning banner: “Key Personnel Required.” The SMS cannot be considered compliant with Part 5 until both roles are filled.

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Assign key personnel

The accountable executive must be a named individual with the authority to allocate resources for SMS implementation. Under 14 CFR 5.23, this person is also required to sign the safety policy.

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SMS Policy (14 CFR 5.21)

The SMS Policy page holds the formal safety policy document for your organization. 14 CFR 5.21 requires the policy to include safety objectives, a code of ethics, and a non-punitive reporting policy. The accountable executive must sign it.

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Policy sections

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Write and save the safety policy

Review and re-save the safety policy at least annually. The Last Reviewed date updates on every save, providing an audit trail for your safety review committee and FAA inspectors.

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Operator Classification (14 CFR Part 5 and 5.9(e))

Operator classification tells the system which subset of 14 CFR Part 5 applies to your organization based on your size and structure. The wizard walks through three steps: select a classification, review compliance impact, and confirm.

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Classification options

The sole individual exemptions under 14 CFR 5.9(e) apply only if you perform all functions yourself with no employees. If you have any employees — mechanics, dispatchers, administrative staff — all Part 5 requirements apply without exemption.

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Change operator classification

Changing operator classification updates your compliance dashboard immediately. The system recalculates which Part 5 sections appear in your compliance tracking based on the new classification.

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FAA Peer Group (14 CFR 5.9(e), AC 120-92D)

The FAA peer group determines which DCT (Design Compliance Tool) questions are used for SMS self-assessments. Peer groups are organized by certificate part (Part 135, Part 121, etc.) and operator size.

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Peer group rules

  • Sole individual operators are always assigned to peer group 135D per 14 CFR 5.9(e). This is enforced automatically and cannot be overridden.
  • All other classifications can select any peer group except 135D.
  • Peer group and operator classification must be coherent. If you attempt to select an incompatible combination, the page returns a validation error.

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Change the FAA peer group

If the selected peer group has no SMS self-assessment questions available, a warning appears before you save. DCT assessments will be limited for that group. Contact your FAA representative if you are unsure which peer group applies to your operation.

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Integrations (14 CFR 5.71)

The Integrations page shows all external systems that can connect to your SMS for safety data collection and notifications. Connecting operational systems supports 14 CFR 5.71 safety performance monitoring requirements.

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Available integrations

Integrations marked Coming Soon are displayed but cannot be configured yet.

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Connect an integration

If you need a custom integration not listed here, contact the PlaneConnection team. The stats row at the top of the page shows a summary of total, connected, available, and coming-soon integrations at a glance.

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Data Export (14 CFR 5.97, CCPA)

The Data Export page generates a machine-readable export of all SMS data in your workspace. This meets two regulatory requirements:
  • 14 CFR 5.97 — SMS records must be retained and available for FAA review.
  • CCPA SS1798.130(a)(5)(B) — Personal information must be available in a machine-readable format on request.
Only System Administrators and Accountable Executives can export workspace data. Users with other roles see an access-restricted message and must contact an authorized user to request an export.

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What the export includes

  • Safety Reports (hazards, incidents, near-misses, audit findings)
  • Investigation Records (root cause analysis, findings, recommendations)
  • Corrective/Preventive Actions (CPAs)
  • Risk Assessments (hazards, severity, likelihood, controls)
  • User Information (names, emails, roles — passwords excluded)
  • Safety Audit Log (all changes and actions for compliance tracking)

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Export formats

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Run a data export

Store exported files according to your organization’s data security and retention policies. Under 14 CFR 5.97, SMS records must be retained for a minimum period. Consult your legal or compliance team for the specific retention requirement applicable to your certificate type.

Track Part 5 Compliance

Monitor compliance status across all Part 5 sections on the compliance dashboard.

Use the Just Culture Decision Tree

Apply the non-punitive reporting framework required by 14 CFR 5.21.

Configure SPIs

Set up safety performance indicators aligned with your safety objectives.

Configure Your Workspace

Platform-wide settings — organization profile, notifications, and two-factor authentication.
Last modified on April 11, 2026