Special Workshop Planned On Practical Implementation Of New Law

Earlier this month, the President signed into law the Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act. A key element of this new law is a requirement for the FAA to publish a new law requiring Safety Management Systems (SMS) by 2012. The Modification and Replacement Parts Association (MARPA) announced Monday that its 2010 conference will feature a special workshop on practical implementation of Safety Management, as well as general session presentations on Safety Management Systems (SMS).

A Safety Management System (SMS) is the formal process of using System Safety practices in an organization's everyday activities to control risk. It is like a quality assurance system that uses risk-based analysis to looks forward, predicts future needs, and permits a company to commit resources today to address the industry's future safety needs. SMS is an approach that can be used throughout the aviation industry to meet System Safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

This year's MARPA Conference will feature several speakers addressing SMS concepts and implementation mechanisms. As a special bonus, though, John Hunter (Chairman of the MARPA Continued Operational Safety (COS) Committee) will present a workshop that will analyze case studies of how companies have used the MARPA COS standard to establish a SMS with positive safety benefits.

MARPA is the non-profit trade association that represents the aircraft parts manufacturing industry (PMA parts manufacturers). MARPA works closely with the FAA to help develop safety standards and tools that enable manufacturers to meet those safety standards. In addition to the Annual Conference focus on SMS, MARPA also serves on the FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Committee for SMS and has published a COS standard that is available for free to any PMA company.

The MARPA Annual Conference will take place October 27-29, 2010 at the Law Vegas Renaissance Hotel.

FMI: www.pmaparts.org/conference