Simple Flying - Luke Bodell
Airports will need to implement safety management systems within the next five years.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has finalized a rule requiring commercial airports to implement safety management systems (SMS). Over 250 of the country's busiest airports will need to devise and implement SMS within the next five years.
The final rule will take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register and apply to approximately 265 Part 139 airports - qualifying airports are those classified as a large, medium, or small hub, handle an average of 100,000 flight movements annually (over three years), or handle international operations.
Airports will have a timeframe of 12–24 months to submit an Implementation Plan (IP), followed by 12 months to submit an Airport Certification Manual (ACM) and 36 months to implement the IP following its approval.
