> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.planeconnection.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# How to Configure Safety Settings
> Configure SMS settings including key personnel designation, safety policy, operator classification, FAA peer group, and data export.
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.
## Navigate to Safety Settings
In the **Safety** module sidebar, click **Settings**. The hub displays four
cards:
| Card | Description |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Key Personnel** | Part 5 accountable executive and SMS manager designation |
| **SMS Policy** | Safety policy statement, objectives, and code of ethics |
| **Integrations** | External system connections for safety data |
| **Data Export** | Export SMS data for compliance and auditing |
Click **Manage** on any card to open that section.
***
## 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.
### Required designations
| Role | Regulation | Responsibility |
| ------------------------- | ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Accountable Executive** | 14 CFR 5.23 | Ultimate responsibility for SMS implementation and safety resources |
| **SMS Manager** | 14 CFR 5.25 | Day-to-day management and coordination of SMS activities |
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.
### Assign key personnel
### Step 1: Open Key Personnel
In Safety Settings, open the **Key Personnel** card.
### Step 2: Review current assignments
Each role card shows the assigned member's name and email, or an
**"Unassigned"** badge if no one holds that role.
### Step 3: Go to the Members page
Navigate to the team members page from the link at the bottom. This opens the
platform-level Members settings page where you can change member roles.
### Step 4: Assign the role
Find the team member you want to designate. Change their role to
**Accountable Executive** or **Safety Manager** as appropriate.
### Step 5: Return to Key Personnel
Navigate back to **Safety > Settings > Key Personnel** to confirm both
roles show as assigned.
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.
***
## 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.
### Policy sections
| Section | Regulation | Purpose |
| --------------------------------- | ----------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| **Safety Objectives** | 14 CFR 5.21(a)(1) | Define measurable safety goals |
| **Code of Ethics** | 14 CFR 5.21(a)(2) | Ethical standards guiding safety decisions |
| **Non-Punitive Reporting Policy** | 14 CFR 5.21(a)(3) | Just Culture commitment for safety reporting |
| **Accountable Executive** | 14 CFR 5.23 | Name and title of the signing executive |
| **Document Control** | -- | Version number and effective date |
### Write and save the safety policy
### Step 1: Open SMS Policy
In Safety Settings, open the **SMS Policy** card.
### Step 2: Complete Safety Objectives
In the **Safety Objectives** section, describe your organization's safety
goals. Include measurable performance targets where possible (e.g., reduce
incident rate by a percentage, achieve zero runway incursions).
### Step 3: Complete Code of Ethics
In the **Code of Ethics** section, state the ethical principles that govern
safety decisions and behavior across your organization.
### Step 4: Complete Non-Punitive Reporting Policy
In the **Non-Punitive Reporting Policy** section, describe your
organization's commitment to non-punitive safety reporting. Include
the conditions -- if any -- under which disciplinary action may be taken.
This supports the Just Culture framework required by 14 CFR 5.21(a)(3).
### Step 5: Enter Accountable Executive details
Under **Accountable Executive**, enter the name and title of the individual
who holds the accountable executive role. This person must sign the
printed or PDF version of the policy.
### Step 6: Set document control fields
Enter the policy **Version** (e.g., `1.0`, `2.1`) and **Effective Date**.
The **Last Reviewed** field is set automatically each time you save.
### Step 7: Save the policy
Save the policy. A success banner confirms the save.
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.
***
## 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.
### Classification options
| Classification | Personnel range | Part 5 compliance |
| ------------------- | ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Sole Individual** | 1 person | Partial -- certain sections exempt under 14 CFR 5.9(e) |
| **Small** | Small team | Full -- all Part 5 sections required |
| **Mid-Size** | Mid-size team | Full -- all Part 5 sections required |
| **Large** | Large organization | Full -- all Part 5 sections required |
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.
### Change operator classification
### Step 1: Open Operator Classification
From Safety Settings, navigate to the **Operator Classification** page
(accessible via the breadcrumb within the Classification or Peer Group pages,
or directly at `/{workspace}/safety/settings/classification`).
### Step 2: Select classification
Choose the classification that best matches your current organizational
size and structure. Each option shows the personnel range and a brief
description.
### Step 3: Review compliance impact
Review how many of the total 14 CFR Part 5 sections apply to your
selection. For sole individual operators, the page lists the specific
sections that are exempt under 5.9(e). For all other classifications,
the full set of Part 5 sections is required.
### Step 4: Confirm and save
The confirmation step shows a summary table including classification,
personnel range, required section count, exemption status, and whether
the Safety Review Committee is enabled. Confirm and save to apply the change.
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.
***
## 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.
### 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.
### Change the FAA peer group
### Step 1: Open FAA Peer Group
Navigate to `/{workspace}/safety/settings/peer-group`, or click
**Change** on the peer group card that appears at the top of the
Operator Classification page.
### Step 2: Review current assignment
The current peer group card shows the group label, description, and
certificate part. It also confirms whether SMS self-assessment questions
are available for the current group.
### Step 3: Select a new peer group
If your classification is not sole individual, choose a peer group from
the selector. Groups are organized by certificate part. Peer group 135D
is disabled for non-sole-individual operators.
### Step 4: Save the peer group
Save the peer group. A success message confirms the update.
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.
***
## 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.
### Available integrations
| Integration | Category | Status |
| ----------------------- | ----------------- | -------------------- |
| **ForeFlight** | Flight Operations | Available to connect |
| **TrackA** | Flight Operations | Available to connect |
| **Slack** | Communication | Available to connect |
| **Email (SMTP)** | Communication | Available to connect |
| **Webhooks** | Analytics | Available to connect |
| **CAMP Systems** | Maintenance | Coming soon |
| **ASAP Gateway** | Analytics | Coming soon |
| **Training Management** | Training | Coming soon |
Integrations marked **Coming Soon** are displayed but cannot be configured
yet.
### Connect an integration
### Step 1: Open Integrations
In Safety Settings, open the **Integrations** card.
### Step 2: Find the integration
Integrations are grouped by category (Flight Operations, Maintenance,
Training, Communication, Analytics). Locate the integration you want to
configure.
### Step 3: Connect or configure
If the integration is disconnected, connect it. If already connected, open its configuration to update settings.
### Step 4: Complete the connection flow
Follow the prompts specific to the integration. Connection requirements
vary by provider.
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.
***
## 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.
### 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)
### Export formats
| Format | Description | Best for |
| -------------- | -------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| **JSON** | All data in a single structured file | Programmatic access, data analysis |
| **CSV Bundle** | Each table as CSV text within a JSON wrapper | Import into spreadsheet applications |
### Run a data export
### Step 1: Open Data Export
In Safety Settings, open the **Data Export** card.
### Step 2: Select a format
Choose **JSON Format** or **CSV Bundle** using the radio selector.
### Step 3: Export the data
Export all data. The download starts automatically once the
export is ready. The filename includes the workspace identifier and the
current date.
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.
***
## Related
Monitor compliance status across all Part 5 sections on the compliance dashboard.
Apply the non-punitive reporting framework required by 14 CFR 5.21.
Set up safety performance indicators aligned with your safety objectives.
Platform-wide settings -- organization profile, notifications, and two-factor authentication.