SMS - Principles & Applications Training

Develop practical skills to elevate your SMS

Safety Management Systems – Principles and Applications

2/3-day course | Classroom, Virtual & In-company training
  • Classroom courses in London Gatwick (2-days plus e-Learning) and Malaysia (3-days)
  • Review the SMS framework and the key SMS components
  • Explore the principles of a SMS, its benefits and challenges
  • Master the skills to develop, implement, manage and assess a basic SMS
Start Date End Date Venue Price (Excl. VAT) Availability Book
04/02/2025 05/02/2025 London Gatwick £1,150.00 Fully booked Book
07/05/2025 08/05/2025 London Gatwick £1,150.00 More than 5 places Book
01/07/2025 02/07/2025 Online £1,150.00 More than 5 places Book
09/09/2025 10/09/2025 Online £1,150.00 More than 5 places Book
07/10/2025 08/10/2025 London Gatwick £1,150.00 More than 5 places Book
02/12/2025 03/12/2025 Online £1,150.00 More than 5 places Book
03/02/2026 04/02/2026 London Gatwick £1,150.00 More than 5 places Book
What are the Principles and Applications of a Safety Management System?

Safety Management Systems (SMS) in aviation are based on a set of principles (ICAO Annex 19 Safety Management and ICAO Doc. 9859 – Safety Management Manual) and applications (the purpose to which those principles are used) that aim to proactively manage and improve safety within the industry. The principles of SMS involve establishing a strong safety culture, identifying hazards and assessing risks, implementing risk mitigation strategies, and promoting continuous improvement. Applications of SMS include clear and effective safety policies and procedures, proactive hazard reporting and analysis, safety training and education programmes, safety performance monitoring, and the integration of safety considerations into all aspects of operations. By adhering to these principles and implementing these applications, aviation organisations can enhance safety, prevent accidents, and foster a proactive safety mindset among employees and stakeholders. SMS provides a structured approach to managing safety, aligning with international standards and regulatory requirements, and promoting the overall well-being of the aviation industry.

Course Overview

Organisations across the aviation industry are required to have a Safety Management System in accordance with ICAO Annex 19. But what is a SMS, and how does it work?

This course provides an introduction to SMS, based on ICAO Annex 19 Standards and Recommended Practices and guidance on implementation as set out in ICAO Doc 9859 and included in EASA / UK regulations.  On completing the course, you will have the skills required to develop, implement, manage, and assess a basic SMS.

The course draws on the ICAO Annex 19 SMS Framework, EASA / UK Safety Management Rules, and UK CAA SMS Guidance Material, along with experiences and observations from the UK CAA’s current oversight activities. The course is a combination of presentations, group discussion and practical exercises, delivered by UK CAA experts.

This course is suitable for individuals working in the Aviation Industry who require an introduction to Safety Management Systems to fulfil their role in contributing to safety.

This would include responsible managers, those responsible for aviation safety, safety risk management and compliance / quality across industry and regulatory personnel with a safety remit.

This training course will include the following topics:

  • Overview of SMS
  • Requirements for implementing, developing and maintaining an SMS
  • The SMS regulatory framework – ICAO Annex 19 & Doc 9859, EASA and UK CAA regulations
    • Policy and Objectives
    • Risk Management
    • Safety Assurance
    • Safety Promotion and education
  • Creating a positive safety culture
  • Practical tools to actively engage in your SMS
  • The regulator’s assessment of a basic SMS

By the end of this course delegates will demonstrate an understanding of:

  • ICAO, EASA and UK CAA Safety management regulatory framework and how to apply these policies and principles into their working environment
  • The value of an organisation having a SMS in place and the possible legal implications of not having one
  • The importance of a positive safety culture
  • The need for meaningful hazard identification and risk assessment to increase safety levels

Participants should be familiar with the aviation environment in the context of safety

Meet your Instructors

Additional Information

Course delivery methods

We offer two different ways to attend this course:

  • Face-to-Face Classroom Course: Embrace the traditional learning method by attending our physical training venue. Benefit from direct interaction with our instructors and fellow participants, creating an immersive and hands-on learning experience. To book a classroom course, please check the booking table at the top of this page and select your preferred training venue location.
  • Instructor-Led Virtual Course: Enjoy the flexibility of attending this training remotely from your home or office with our live virtual course. Engage in interactive learning from anywhere in the world. We usually use WebEx or Zoom for our virtual courses. To attend this course virtually, look for the ‘online’ venue option in the booking table above.

Please note that course durations may vary slightly between our face-to-face and virtual deliveries. Please refer to the start and end date of your chosen course.

Our goal is to offer flexible, effective and convenient course delivery methods that suit your preferences and learning needs. Please choose the option that works best for you!

If you can’t see a classroom or virtual option, we likely haven’t released the next set of dates. Please get in touch to find out when we’ll announce the new dates, and we’ll be sure to keep you informed once they are available or even add you to our waiting list.

Further reading

UK CAA CAP 795 Safety Management Systems (SMS) Guidance for Organisations
This document provides guidance on the implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS). It has been developed to give sufficient understanding of SMS concepts to implement and maintain an effective SMS. It reflects and meets the requirements of ICAO Annex 19 and EASA Management System Implementing Rules.

In-company delivery

We can also tailor this training course to suit your organisation’s training requirements. These bespoke training packages can be delivered at your organisation’s location – almost anywhere, worldwide. Please Contact us for more information and to discuss your requirements.

VAT information

Please ensure you have your company VAT number available when booking. For additional information regarding VAT please click here.

FAQs

To help make your decision about booking training with CAAi, we have put together a list of frequently asked questions.

If your question isn’t answered, please get in touch and speak to a member of our training team.

Questions and Answers

Course Reviews

Other courses you might be interested in

SMS for Managers – Leading on Aviation Safety

Senior managers have a vital role to play in safety management. Although senior managers may not be directly involved with an organisation’s Safety Management System (SMS), without the full support of senior management filtering down from the top, an organisation may not be able to deliver the value and benefits of an effective SMS.

Safety Management (Advanced) – Evaluating Effectiveness

In our Safety Management Systems (SMS) Principles and Applications course, you will have learnt how to implement and assess a basic SMS. Building on those foundations, in this advanced course, you will develop the skills and knowledge to competently evaluate the effectiveness of an organisation’s SMS.

Let’s talk

If you’d like to speak with us about your training requirements,
our friendly team are here to help.
+44 (0)330 022 4401
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