-
- January 14, 2020
- Posted by: admin
- Category: Uncategorized
No Comments
SMS TRAINING · BY ASG
KEY TOPIC
Safety Management System (SMS) training is the cornerstone of building a functional aviation safety culture. ICAO Annex 19 requires all SMS service providers to ensure personnel understand their safety responsibilities within the SMS framework. Aero Support Group delivers accredited SMS training programmes for airlines, ground handlers, MROs, airports, and ATOs — from awareness-level courses to Lead Auditor qualifications.
PROFESSIONALS TRAINED
0
+
SMS COURSE FORMATS
0
+
COUNTRIES DELIVERED
0
+
YEARS TRAINING EXPERIENCE
0
+
What Is SMS Training in Aviation?
Safety Management System (SMS) training equips aviation personnel with the knowledge and competencies required to operate within, contribute to, and manage an effective SMS. ICAO Annex 19 and its supporting document, ICAO Doc 9859 (Safety Management Manual), require aviation service providers to implement training programmes that address SMS awareness, hazard identification, risk assessment, safety reporting, and safety performance monitoring.
Effective SMS training goes beyond regulatory compliance — it builds the safety culture necessary for an organisation to proactively identify hazards before they become incidents. Aero Support Group’s SMS training programmes are designed for all levels of an organisation, from front-line operations staff to senior management and safety professionals.
SMS Training Requirements Under ICAO Annex 19
ICAO Annex 19 3rd Edition (effective November 2026) expands SMS obligations to a broader range of aviation service providers, including previously excluded categories such as aerodrome operators, air traffic service providers, and aircraft design and manufacturing organisations. All service providers within scope are required to establish and maintain an SMS training programme as part of their Safety Promotion component.
IOSA Edition 18 and ISAGO 9th Edition standards also include explicit requirements for SMS training coverage — assessing whether personnel at all levels understand their safety responsibilities, the organisation’s safety policy, hazard reporting mechanisms, and the SMS feedback process. Inadequate SMS training is a recurring source of non-conformities in both IOSA and ISAGO audits.
National CAA requirements for SMS training vary by jurisdiction but generally mirror ICAO Annex 19 standards. Organisations operating in EASA member states must comply with EU regulations requiring SMS implementation for Part-145, Part-OPS, and Part-ATM/ANS organisations — each of which mandates corresponding training requirements for relevant personnel categories.
KEY REFERENCE
ICAO Doc 9859, Safety Management Manual (SMM), 4th Edition (ICAO, 2018) provides the authoritative framework for SMS training design and delivery. ICAO Annex 19, 3rd Edition (effective November 2026) expands SMS scope and training obligations. All ASG SMS training programmes are aligned to both documents.
Our SMS Training Programmes
SMS Awareness Training: A foundational course covering the four components of SMS (Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, Safety Promotion), the safety reporting culture, and individual roles within the SMS. Suitable for all operational staff, this course meets the Annex 19 requirement for SMS awareness across the organisation. Available as classroom, online, or blended delivery.
SMS Implementation & Management: A comprehensive programme designed for safety managers, quality managers, and senior operations staff responsible for implementing and maintaining the SMS. Covers hazard identification tools, risk assessment matrices, safety performance indicators, safety investigations, and management review processes. Participants leave with practical tools applicable to their specific operational context.
SMS for Auditors: Designed for internal auditors and safety professionals who assess SMS effectiveness within their organisation or as part of external audit preparation. The course covers IOSA Edition 18 and ISAGO 9th Edition SMS requirements, common audit findings in SMS sections, evidence collection methodology, and non-conformity writing. Participants develop the skills to conduct credible internal SMS audits that withstand external scrutiny.
Lead Auditor Qualifications: ASG offers Lead Auditor training for personnel pursuing qualification as IOSA, ISAGO, or other audit programme auditors. These intensive programmes combine classroom instruction with practical audit exercises, case studies, and assessment. Successful candidates are equipped to conduct full programme audits under IATA guidelines.
All ASG SMS training programmes are available in English and can be adapted for delivery in other languages with advance notice. Classroom training is available at ASG facilities in London, Dubai, and Istanbul, as well as at client premises worldwide. Online and blended formats are available year-round through ASG’s training platform.
Benefits of SMS Training
Why Choose Aero Support Group for SMS Training?
Aero Support Group’s SMS training team combines regulatory expertise with operational experience — our instructors have worked as SMS managers, safety investigators, and IOSA/ISAGO auditors. This means training content reflects real operational challenges, not just textbook theory.
Our training programmes are regularly updated to reflect the latest regulatory developments, including ICAO Annex 19 3rd Edition requirements and IOSA Edition 18 SMS changes. Organisations that train with ASG receive content that is directly applicable to current audit requirements — reducing the risk of SMS-related non-conformities during official assessments.
SMS training should be completed by all aviation personnel, with the level of training matched to their role. Front-line staff require awareness-level training covering safety reporting, hazard identification, and personal safety responsibilities. Safety managers and quality assurance personnel require comprehensive SMS management training. Executives and accountable managers require SMS governance training covering their legal obligations and leadership responsibilities within the SMS framework.
ASG SMS training programmes are designed in direct alignment with IOSA ISM Edition 18 and ISAGO 9th Edition SMS requirements. Training completion records from ASG courses can be presented as evidence during IOSA and ISAGO audits to demonstrate compliance with SMS training requirements. ASG can provide course certificates and training records in formats compatible with audit evidence packages.
Yes. ASG delivers on-site training at client facilities anywhere in the world. On-site delivery allows the training to be contextualised to your specific operational environment, procedures, and SMS structure — significantly increasing its practical value compared to generic public courses. On-site delivery is particularly effective for large-group awareness programmes and management-level SMS workshops.
SMS Awareness training is designed for all staff and covers the fundamentals — what SMS is, why it matters, how to report hazards, and what happens with safety reports. SMS Management training is designed for safety professionals and managers responsible for running the SMS — covering hazard identification methodologies, risk assessment, safety performance monitoring, investigation processes, and management review. Both levels are required under ICAO Annex 19.
Yes. ASG offers blended learning formats that combine online pre-study modules with a shorter classroom workshop. This format is cost-effective for organisations with geographically dispersed teams, allowing pre-study to be completed at each participant’s own pace before a focused group session. Online modules are accessible through ASG’s learning management system with individual progress tracking and automated certificate issuance.
- Meets ICAO Annex 19 SMS training obligations
- Directly aligned to IOSA Edition 18 and ISAGO 9th Edition
- Builds genuine safety culture beyond compliance
- Delivered by active auditors with real operational experience
- Available classroom, online, or blended formats worldwide
- Training records provided in audit-ready format
Book SMS Training with Aero Support Group
Contact Aero Support Group to discuss SMS training options for your organisation. Whether you need a single awareness session for a small team or an organisation-wide SMS implementation programme, we provide a solution aligned to your regulatory requirements and operational context.
ASG
Aero Support Group
Global Aviation Consulting
Aero Support Group is a global aviation consulting firm specialising in safety, quality, security, continuing airworthiness, and regulatory compliance support for airlines, MROs, ground handling organisations, training providers, and civil aviation authorities. With experience spanning 900+ projects in 100+ countries, the company delivers expert support across IOSA, ISAGO, EASA TCO, UK CAA TCO, EASA Part-145, FAA Part 145, Part-M, Part-CAMO, Part-147, SMS, QMS, IMS, ACC3, SeMS, and Part-IS. Aero Support Group also supports leading international organisations including IATA, ICAO, PRISM, ARGUS International, and RSM through specialised consulting and subject matter expertise.
- SMS Training
- Safety Management System
- ICAO Annex 19
- IOSA SMS
- Aviation Safety Culture
- Lead Auditor Training
References
- ICAO. (2018). Safety Management Manual (SMM), Doc 9859, 4th Edition. Montreal: ICAO.
- ICAO. (2022). Annex 19 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, 3rd Edition. Montreal: ICAO.
- IATA. (2024). IOSA Standards Manual (ISM), Edition 18. Montreal: IATA.
- IATA. (2023). ISAGO Standards Manual, 9th Edition. Montreal: IATA.
- EASA. (2022). Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) 2022-06: SMS for Approved Organisations. Cologne: EASA.
LinkedIn Newsletter
Subscribe to Global Aviation Safety Radar
Weekly aviation safety and compliance intelligence covering ICAO, IATA, EASA, and UK CAA developments — translated into practical implications for airlines, MROs, airports, ground handlers, and aviation leaders.