DGCA Recommended Training: Safety Management
system (SMS)Training Capsule
a) SMS Training Capsule
- DGCA letter recommending the course for all helicopter operators
b) Genesis & Purpose of the Course.
i) "Thanks to International Helicopter Safety Team's efforts since
2005, the helicopter accident rate which averaged 9.4 per 100,000
flying hours in the years 2000 to 2005 has shown a decline to 6.2
in 2008 and is estimated to be even lower". This marked improvement
in global helicopter safety performance after more than 20 years of
stagnation was highlighted during the release of accident analysis
released at the third International Helicopter Safety Symposium in
Montreal, Canada on 29 Sept'09. Steady improvement in accident rate
has been noticed since 2005 when rotary wing industry across the world
formed a voluntary organisation, International Helicopter Safety Team
(IHST) with the aim of reducing helicopter accident rates globally
by 80% by 2016.The Rotary Wing Society of India which is the nodal
agency for helicopter industry in India too became a member of this
voluntary group.
ii) Driven by the success achieved in airline safety by the Commercial
Aviation Safety Team(CAST), IHST decided to imbibe data-driven methodology
adapted by CAST in analysing the Accidents with a view to bring out
mitigation strategies .At the Symposium, it was observed that while
it was early to attribute safety policy initiatives of IHST to the
improvements in safety record (as the initiative was only launched
in 2007), IHST has been greatly successful in generating increased
international awareness of the need for safety improvement in the
rotary-wing industry.
iii) Based on the recommendations of IHST, action is already in hand
for improving safety management system (SMS) and safety culture (both
organizational & professional) which were the causative factors to
majority of accidents in India. In consonance with IHST guidelines,
Jt DG (Airworthiness) & Head Helicopter Cell, DGCA vide his letter
dated 3 Nov'09 to the Helicopter Operators has expressed the need
for all helicopter operators to have their operating professionals
to participate in the SMS Training to bring about a change in the
safety culture for improving safety of Helicopter Operations
iv) Interested professionals may watch out for the schedule for RWSI
Safety Management System Trg capsule to be held at Mumbai, Delhi and
Bangalore. Seats available for the Course will be allotted on first
come first basis. Further details can be had from RWSI website
C) The Course will cover Fundamental Attributes of Safety
Management System which included each of the eleven attributes of
SMS outlined below:-
i. SMS Management Plan
ii. Safety promotion
iii. Document and Data Information Management
iv. Hazard Identification and Risk Management.
v. Occurrence and Hazard Reporting
vi. Occurrence investigation and Analysis
vii. Safety Assurance Over Side Programmes
viii. Safety Management Training Requirement
ix. Management of Changes
x. Emergence Preparedness and Response
xi. Performance Measurement and Continuous Improvement
D) Applicability - It is recommended that besides pilots &
AMEs ,all helicopter professionals involved in helicopter operations
including various divisional heads under Chairman, such as CEO, Chief
Ops Officer, Chief of Engineering and QA, Chief of Commercial, Aviation
Safety Consultant, Heliport/ helipad In charge and Heli deck in charge(offshore
op) under go the Course
SMS Tool Kit
