Implementation of a Voluntary Design and Manufacturing Safety Management System at Bell Textron

Abstract

Safety Management Systems (SMS) have become an internationally recognized means to improve hazard and risk identification, risk management and safety assurance. In early January 2021, the US Congress enacted H.R.133 - 1128 Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act. Under this legislation, the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) began ex parte Design & Manufacturing SMS (D&M SMS) rulemaking in February 2021 and must issue a final rule by February 2023. The Act further stipulates that all organizations that hold either a type certificate (TC) or production certificate (PC) for aviation products must implement a D&M SMS within 24 months of the issuance of the final rule. This rulemaking effort is being led by the Compliance Systems Section, AIR-634. The FAA has established a Voluntary D&M SMS Program that allows the FAA to assess applicant voluntary SMS programs in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 5, Safety Management Systems (14 CFR Part 5). Bell was one of the first certificate holders to apply to the FAA Voluntary D&M SMS Program, and was successful in achieving acceptance from the FAA for D&M SMS. This paper will present the D&M SMS implementation and acceptance process from both the Original Equipment Manufacturer's (OEM) and FAA's perspective, and discuss the processes, procedures and tools that Bell Textron (Bell) utilized when creating the SMS.