What is defined as an "aviation safety management system" (SMS)?

An aviation safety management system (SMS) is fundamentally defined as a comprehensive framework designed to manage safety risks across aviation operations. This system embodies a proactive approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating safety risks before they lead to incidents or accidents. The essence of an SMS lies in its structured processes and methodologies that systematically enhance safety through effective communication, training, and continuous improvement.

The focus of an SMS is to create a safety culture within organizations, promoting the importance of safety in every aspect of operations. This culture encourages reporting safety issues, analyzing incidents, and implementing corrective actions, thereby ensuring a systematic response to safety risks. By establishing a clear framework, an SMS aids in the identification of hazards and provides mechanisms for their evaluation and mitigation, ultimately enhancing overall aviation safety.

The other options do not align with the definition of an SMS. While technical standards for aircraft design, training programs for pilots and crew, and regulations for passenger safety measures are important aspects of aviation safety, they are not encapsulated within the comprehensive framework that an SMS represents. Each of these components may contribute to safety but does not define the overarching system intended to manage safety risks systematically.