Comparative Safety Outcomes between Business Aviation Operators with and Without Advanced SMS Implementation

Abstract

The shift toward the implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS) in business aviation has become both an operational and regulatory necessity in the last twenty years. There are still some differences in the SMS implementation depth and maturity among operators, even with global mandates from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This study assesses the differences in safety outcomes within business aviation operators with advanced SMS structures and those without, using an article review of empirical studies published from 2010 to 2023. It has been observed that the advanced SMS systems have a direct positive impact on safety performance. Organizations that advanced systems, reported significantly lower incident rates and enhanced hazard reporting culture. There was also a noted increase in regulatory compliance when compared to organizations that did not have structured systems in place. There are still some gaps in the standard SMS systems, including a standardization of metrics, regional enforcement, and integration of digital tools. This paper recommends enhanced monitoring systems for SMS maturity that include cross-industry benchmarking and suggest a shift towards cultural transformation for the organization.