With the advent of programs such as the International Business Aviation Council’s International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO), the industry has become more safety conscious than it has ever been, and more operators are implementing safety management systems (SMS). ICAO, through its standards and recommended practices (SARPS), has mandated SMS in its international general aviation safety protocols since 2010.

To help operators implement an SMS (which is not an FAA requirement for Part 91 and 135 operators, but is recommended), Arizona-based Polaris Aero has released the latest version of its subscription-based software as a service solution Vector SMS, which it is demonstrating here at its booth (N3411).

Designed by pilots, the product is available in three plans to fit the needs of any size flight operation. “As pilots, we understand the challenges facing safety officers,” said company CEO Christopher Connor, adding that most of them are pilots first and safety officers second. “Vector SMS was designed to make their lives easier. It is a simple and powerful tool that improves decision making throughout the organization.”

According to Polaris, the software is designed to drive communication and provide the intelligence needed to enact changes to an organization’s safety culture. Among its functionality is an SMS manual, issue reporting, hazard tracking with offline reporting (for both iOS and Android devices), emergency response planning, automated read and acknowledge, electronic checklist generator and SMS training via e-learning courses. The software will be updated several times a year to incorporate the latest safety improvements, the company noted.

“Vector SMS stands out in the crowd of SMS providers,” said Billy Batholomae, Zetta Jet’s captain and safety manager. “The user-friendly interface and innovative approach to SMS simplifies the entire safety process, allowing us to identify and address risks and hazards, thus enhancing flight safety. With Vector SMS, compliance becomes a byproduct of our better safety culture.”