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The Declaration of Compliance (DOC) is a legally binding document submitted to the FAA affirming that your organization has developed and implemented a Safety Management System meeting all requirements of 14 CFR Part 5. PlaneConnection’s DOC wizard guides you through preparation, verification, evidence packaging, executive signature, and export in six structured steps. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a signed Declaration of Compliance document and evidence package ready for submission to your FAA Certificate Management Office (CMO).
Who should do this tutorial? The accountable executive and safety manager responsible for SMS implementation. The accountable executive must sign the declaration. You will need Safety Manager or Admin permissions to access the DOC wizard.

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Before you start

Make sure you have:
  • An active PlaneConnection account with Safety Manager or Admin role
  • All compliance elements at Fully Implemented or Verified status (see Track Compliance)
  • A completed internal audit validating your SMS implementation (see Prepare for a Compliance Audit)
  • Your organization’s legal name, physical address, and FAA certificate number readily available
  • The accountable executive available to review and sign the declaration
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 DOC wizard

The wizard is organized into six sequential steps. You must complete each step before proceeding to the next. Progress is saved automatically — you can exit and resume at any time without losing work.

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Walking through the DOC wizard

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After submission

Once the Declaration of Compliance has been submitted:
  1. FAA acknowledgment. Your CMO updates the FAA’s internal database noting your SMS compliance status. There is no formal “approval” — the DOC is a declaration, not an application.
  2. Ongoing surveillance. The FAA validates your SMS through routine surveillance activities. Inspectors may request access to your SMS documentation, evidence, and records at any time.
  3. Continuous maintenance. You must maintain your SMS for as long as you hold your certificate. Use PlaneConnection’s compliance dashboard to monitor for degradation, track evidence expiration, and document changes through the Management of Change process.
  4. Record retention. Per 14 CFR 5.97: SRM outputs are retained as long as the control remains relevant, Safety Assurance findings for 5 years, and training records for 24 months after employee departure.

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Next steps

Track Compliance

Monitor your ongoing compliance status after DOC submission.

Prepare for a Compliance Audit

Organize evidence and generate compliance reports for FAA surveillance.

Compliance Timeline

Review the key milestones and deadlines for Part 5 compliance.

FAA Part 5 Overview

Understand the regulatory requirements behind the Declaration of Compliance.
Last modified on April 11, 2026