This is the beginning of a series of abstracts designed to help you understand important aviation industry documents in a quick and simple way. Read on to understand the Advisory Circular 150/5200-37 and the ACRP Report I, Volume I.
Advisory Circular 150/5200-37:
Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5200-37 was the first introduction of a Safety Management System (SMS) for Airport Operators. Its goal was to outline and define what an SMS is and how to begin the process to putting into effect the guidelines necessary to comply with upcoming rulings and lawmaking.
The plan was to implement the program in a way that complimented existing safety regulations in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 139, while meeting the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for safety.
This document outlined future goals and plans while putting the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) in charge of providing and putting out information on SMS for airport operators.
Though aimed specifically at Part 139 airports, other civil airports were encouraged to pick up the applicable material in the AC and future documents.
For more information past this abstract, read the Advisory Circular 150/5200-37. (February 2007)
ACRP Report I, Volume I:
The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report I, Volume I details what a Safety Management System (SMS) is and explains the business advantages and safety assurances it can grant. Implementing an SMS not only improves those aspects of an airport, but also encourages an overall change in safety culture.
An airport’s success with implementing a functional and compliant SMS relies on the commitment of top and senior management in order to make things transition smoothly.
This ACRP report is, at its simplest, an overview. It details all the components that make up the system, including the four main segments and the twelve parts which make up the main ideals. It also lists SMS in other industries and parts of the aviation industry, ICAO guidance for airport SMS, SMS implementation in airports outside the United States, and the future visions for airport SMS in the United States.
For more information past this abstract, read the ACRP Report I, Volume 1: Overview. (March 2007)