SMS for US Repair Stations is Here, Thanks to EASA
EASA’s Mandatory SMS Requirement for US Repair Stations
If you were happy that the FAA excluded 14CFR Part 145 Repair Stations from the requirement to develop and implement a safety management system (SMS) in the recent rule published in the Federal Register (Federal Register :: Safety Management Systems) temper your enthusiasm.
Upcoming SMS Implementation Deadline
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has made it well-known that all EASA Part 145 Repair Stations in the US (approved under the US-EU Bilateral Agreement) will be required to implement the FAA’s “voluntary” program to remain approved.
Implementation Date Announced
Not only that, but we also have an implementation date. Thanks to the good work of the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) during the latest FAA-EASA International Aviation Safety Conference, the association reported the implementation deadline in the upcoming Maintenance Annex Guidance will be December 31, 2025. This comes from ARSA’s recent article: ARSA Leads “Can do” Panel EASA Shares SMS Compliance Date – ARSA.
Challenges with EASA’s Additional Burdens
While it’s not surprising that EASA is again “leading the way” on adding additional burdens to our successful regulatory framework, I loathe the fact that the FAA has allowed the bilateral to fail at its most basic purpose: to allow both agencies to accept a different, equally safe, mutually accepted system.
Personal feelings aside, “it is what it is” and here we are. What now?
Practical Solutions for SMS Implementation
While Tym’s was designed to assist small and medium-sized companies with regulatory hurdles just like this (thank you EASA), we’re also happy to pass along any “life hacks” we find along the way.
Leveraging ARSA and AEA for SMS Compliance
The best “hack” I know of is based on the relationship between the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) and ARSA. Members of ARSA can access the AEA’s Safety Management Program, which is a managed program that provides the tools for small businesses to implement SMS for a low annual fee. Here’s my recommendation:
- Join ARSA: Join – ARSA (a huge value for any FAA Repair Station regardless of SMS)
- See if the AEA-Managed SMS program is right for you: Safety Management Systems Program – ARSA
- Call Tym’s for assistance with manual revisions, audits, training, and implementation: https://tymsllc.com/request-consultation/
Plan Ahead to Avoid Last-Minute Rush
We expect a large workload as the deadline approaches. Contact us today to outsource this regulatory burden and ensure you remain compliant without affecting your day-to-day operation.