The SMS would develop "formal methods" for: a) "identifying hazards"; b) "analyzing and mitigating risk"; c) developing methods for ensuring continuous safety improvement"; and d) for putting together "organization-wide safety promotion strategies" (Federal Register).

The reason for (and the need for) this new SMS is because the demand for air travel is growing, and there are more aircraft providing transportation in more places for more people and that growth "…can heighten the risks of aircraft operations" (Federal Register).

Some of the concerns for operational safety are spelled out in the proposal from the FAA. The four key components / concerns that the FAA references include: Safety Policy (the SMS will spell out methods and tools "for achieving desired safety outcomes"); Safety Risk Management (the SMS will carefully and proactively identify "hazards, analyze and assess potential risks" and design strategies to mitigate those risks); Safety Assurance (this is an SMS function...
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