Who should do this tutorial? Safety Managers and Admins who are responsible for implementing
SMS in their organization. You will need Admin or Safety Manager permissions to access the
settings described here.
Before you start
Make sure you have:- An active PlaneConnection account with Admin or Safety Manager role
- Logged in to your workspace in the Safety module (see the Quickstart if you need help)
Planning ahead: SMS implementation is a process, not a one-time setup. This tutorial covers
the technical configuration in PlaneConnection. Your organization also needs to develop the
policies, procedures, and training programs that the SMS supports. See What is
SMS? and The Four Pillars of SMS for
background on what a complete SMS requires.
The four pillars in PlaneConnection
PlaneConnection is organized around the four pillars of SMS as defined by FAA 14 CFR Part 5:
The setup steps below touch each pillar to give you a working foundation.
After setup
With the initial configuration complete, your SMS is ready for your team to use. Here are the next steps:- Communicate the launch. Let your team know that the SMS is live. Explain the reporting process and the just culture policy.
- Conduct training. Ensure all personnel understand how to submit reports and what their roles are in the SMS.
- Start collecting reports. Encourage your team to submit reports. The more data your SMS captures, the more effective your safety analysis will be.
- Review and act on reports. Establish a cadence for reviewing incoming reports, opening investigations when needed, and closing out CPAs.
Next steps
Submit Your First Safety Report
Learn the report submission process that your team will follow.
Run Your First Investigation
Learn how to investigate a safety report and document findings.
Conduct Your First Risk Assessment
Perform a formal risk assessment using the 5x5 matrix.
The Four Pillars of SMS
Deepen your understanding of the SMS framework.