ARGUS International, Inc. (ARGUS) is pleased to announce the release of the 2013 SMS Audit Results report. The objective of the report is to highlight those recurring deficiencies found in SMS implementation and execution. A view into the industry wide aperture helps aviation operators focus their efforts on common deficiency areas cited by auditors, and use this information to improve their own SMS implementation and execution efforts.

Each year, ARGUS PROS audits a significant number of operators from both private and commercial flight operations. All aspects of the flight operation are reviewed during each audit, to include the organization’s safety management system. The report is a summary of those audit results, compared to the ARGUS Platinum Standard and IS-BAO, in the measure of safety management effectiveness. These audits follow a “systems” and “process” methodology, and are exclusively focused on compliance. The goal of each audit is to seek evidence of effective and efficient operations and industry best practices, including implementation of a safety management system (SMS) as defined by IS-BAO and FAA AC120-92A.

The majority of the 2013 audit findings point to deficiencies in Internal Evaluation Programs (IEP) and Safety Training. An IEP is especially important because of its design, seeking to uncover latent process or program weakness within operations and maintenance focus areas before they become causal factors in an accident or incident. Regarding safety training, a lack of continuing education and SMS training for safety managers accounted for many of the recommendations in the area of SMS training. Participation in self-development, and safety conferences and courses is very important for safety managers to initiate and continue increased understanding of safety management concepts and practices.

The report includes quantitative and explanatory breakdowns of the following areas:
– Internal evaluation program
– Safety management system training
– Safety management system manual
– Hazard reporting
– Risk assessment
– Safety committee
– General operating manual
– Safety policy
– Fatigue risk management system

To download the report in its entirety, please visit: http://www.argus.aero/2013AuditResults.aspx

About ARGUS International Inc.
ARGUS International, Inc. (ARGUS) is a specialized aviation services company whose mission is to provide the aviation marketplace with data and information necessary to make informed decisions and manage risk. ARGUS provides world-class aviation software and business management solutions, including AVMOSYS business management software, TRAQPak, CHEQ, and ARMOR SMS. ARGUS Charter operator ratings are the most recognized and requested independent source of overall operator quality. TRAQPak provides industry leading market intelligence data and research services, as well as expert aviation consulting.

ARGUS subsidiaries include ARGUS PROS, the leading provider of on-site safety audits and PRISM, a worldwide leader in Safety Management System (SMS) and Certification services. Founded in 1995, ARGUS is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and actively engaged around the globe.