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Compliance tracking is how you measure your organization’s readiness for FAA surveillance and your progress toward the Part 5 Declaration of Compliance. PlaneConnection maps every requirement of 14 CFR Part 5 into trackable elements, lets you attach evidence to each one, and generates reports you can present during an audit. In this tutorial, you will review your compliance posture, identify gaps, upload evidence, and generate a compliance report. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a clear picture of your Part 5 compliance status and an evidence package ready for audit preparation.
Who should do this tutorial? Safety Managers and accountable executives responsible for regulatory compliance. Quality assurance personnel who conduct internal audits will also benefit. You will need Safety Manager or Admin permissions to update compliance elements and generate reports.

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Before you start

Make sure you have:
  • An active PlaneConnection account with Safety Manager or Admin role
  • Your organization’s SMS documentation (safety policy, procedures, training records, meeting minutes) available for upload
  • Familiarity with the SMS module navigation (see the Quickstart)
FAA 14 CFR Part 5 compliance deadline: May 28, 2027. All Part 135 operators must develop and implement a Safety Management System and submit a Declaration of Compliance by this date. PlaneConnection provides the tools you need to meet every requirement.

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Understanding the compliance structure

PlaneConnection organizes 14 CFR Part 5 into subparts, sections, and individual elements: Each section is broken down into individual compliance elements — specific, verifiable requirements that you need to address.

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Reviewing and building your compliance posture

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What happens next

With your compliance status documented and evidence organized:
  1. Internal audit. Conduct an internal audit against your compliance report to verify that the evidence actually demonstrates what it claims. Having a colleague review your work provides an independent check.
  2. Management review. Present the compliance report to the accountable executive and safety committee. Ensure leadership is aware of any remaining gaps and the plan to address them.
  3. Declaration of Compliance. When all elements are Fully Implemented or Verified, you are ready to draft your Declaration of Compliance for submission to your FAA Certificate Management Office.
  4. Ongoing maintenance. Compliance is not a one-time activity. Continue updating evidence and statuses as your SMS evolves, procedures change, and new safety data is generated.

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Next steps

Track Compliance

Detailed how-to guide for all compliance tracking features and workflows.

FAA Part 5 Overview

Understand the regulatory requirements behind each compliance element.

Compliance Timeline

Review the key milestones and deadlines on the path to your Declaration of Compliance.

Run a Safety Committee Meeting

Present compliance status at your next safety committee meeting.
Last modified on April 11, 2026