AAR has been recognised as the first independent MRO to implement a safety management system (SMS) in accordance with new requirements outlined by a range of industry associations.

The requirements are set forth in the SMS Voluntary Program by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

AAR said the SMS would allow it to proactively identify safety issues and trends before they reach their full potential.

AAR utilided its ‘APRISe’ software, a proprietary closed-loop system for quality and safety management, to facilitate the SMS process. In addition to SMS, APRISe includes functions such as investigations, audit findings, customer feedback, injury reporting and import/export compliance.

AAR chief quality officer Art Smith commented: “As of today, the SMS programme is fully implemented in our AAR MRO Rockford and AAR MRO Miami facilities. SMS will be implemented at our remaining MRO sites in 2021.”

As reported, the MRO provider recently established an Aviation Safety and Training Committee (ASTC) to oversee aviation safety matters relating to its operations.