The NTSB has recommended adoption of SMSes in two accident investigation reports, the Pinnacle Airlines Flight 3701 Bombardier RJ crash at Jefferson City, Mo., on Oct. 14, 2004, and the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) Cessna 310R crash at Orlando on July 10, 2007.

Two safety experts interviewed by Business & Commercial Aviation for this report provided some operational examples that can be addressed by safety management systems. Ray Rohr, director, regulatory affairs, International Business Aviation Council — “The example I like to use is fatigue. You can put down hard hours to fly, which might work for the airlines but not charter; however, with an SMS, you can have performance-based rules that provide a safety objective and a process for the operator to meet it.

Canada is currently the only country in the world that requires noncommercial operators of turbine-powered aircraft to be certificated and periodically audited for safety compliance. Further distinguishing the Private Operator Certificate program is the fact that the Canadian DOT (or “Transport Canada”) has deeded its administration entirely over to the Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) as a means of saving the government money and resources.