Release #11.35
November 10, 2011

Pilots: Canadian SMS Proven Aviation Safety Tool

OTTAWA – Safety Management Systems (SMS) continue to be a valuable tool to enhance safety in aviation and other transportation industries in Canada, according to the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), the world’s largest non-governmental aviation safety organization.

“SMS programs ensure continuing safety by combining the appropriate levels of incentive for front-line employee reporting, internal auditing and regulatory oversight,” said Capt. Dan Adamus, president of ALPA’s Canada Board. “Canada is a world leader in adopting SMS programs in its marine, rail, and aviation industries, and ALPA is proud to be part of that effort.”

“ALPA has collaborated with Transport Canada, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, and our government and industry partners internationally to explore the most modern, effective ways of doing business,” said Capt. Lee Moak, ALPA’s president. “We will continue these partnerships at every opportunity to do all we can to move aviation safety programs forward.”

SMS aids airlines by helping to identify and mitigate safety risks that have not been anticipated by the regulators. As a result, the SMS programs are critical to ensuring the highest safety standards are maintained and to providing a continuous means of identifying hazards before they become serious.

“ALPA supports appropriate oversight by Transport Canada and ensuring that SMS programs are effective,” concluded Adamus. “We look forward to and encourage properly implemented SMS programs that will help make flying even safer for passengers and crews across Canada.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 53,000 pilots at 37 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703/481-4440 or media@alpa.org