Quality Management Systems
(QMS)
Course

Delivery Mode

In-Person / Hybrid
Interactive Case Studies

Duration

5 Days
30 Contact Hours

Delegate Fee

KES 45,000
USD 700 Excl. VAT

Next Cohort

Oct 12 – Oct 16, 2026
Wilson Airport, Nairobi

Course Overview & Strategic Objectives

The Quality Management Systems (QMS) Course is designed to equip aviation professionals with the knowledge and practical skills required to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve Quality Management Systems within aviation organizations. The course is delivered in accordance with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) regulatory requirements and aligns with ICAO quality management principles and international aviation best practices.

Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of quality management concepts, regulatory compliance, process-based management, documentation control, internal audits, corrective and preventive actions, and continuous improvement. The course emphasizes the practical application of QMS principles to enhance operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and safety performance across aviation organizations.

Detailed Course Curriculum

8 Master Modules • 30 Interactive Hours & Hands-on Labs
  • State Safety Programme (SSP) vs. Safety Management System (SMS)
  • Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) legal mandates & compliance obligations
  • The 4 Pillars & 12 Elements of the ICAO SMS Framework
  • Executive accountabilities & legal liabilities for Accountable Managers
  • Drafting & promulgating an effective organizational Safety Policy
  • Establishing Safety Action Groups (SAG) & Safety Review Boards (SRB)
  • Resource allocation and organizational safety decision-making
  • Promoting a non-punitive Just Culture and safety reporting systems
  • Reactive, proactive, and predictive hazard identification methodologies
  • Risk assessment matrices: Probability vs. Severity tolerability limits
  • Designing and updating an active operational Safety Risk Register
  • Practical BowTie risk analysis workshops and mitigation monitoring
  • Defining Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs) and Targets (SPTs)
  • Safety auditing, internal reviews, and compliance monitoring procedures
  • Internal safety investigations and Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
  • Management of Change (MOC) protocols for operational transitions
  • Integrating Human Factors (HF) and Threat & Error Management (TEM)
  • Measuring safety climate and moving from Reactive to Generative Safety Culture
  • Continuous learning, safety communication strategies, and feedback loops
  • Establishing Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA/FDA) programs
  • Trend identification in flight parameters, exceedances, and unstable approaches
  • De-identified data protection and crew trust in predictive safety monitoring
  • Internal vs. external safety auditing techniques based on ICAO Doc 9859
  • Audit findings, corrective action plans (CAP), and effectiveness verification
  • Preparing your organization for KCAA regulatory safety audits and renewals
  • Designing an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) synchronized with Aerodrome Authorities
  • Crisis command structure, media response management, and family assistance protocols
  • Live interactive classroom ERP tabletop scenario exercise

Target Group

Prerequisites

KCAA ATO No. 22 Certificate

Official recognition satisfying mandatory post-holder training standards.

Manual Templates & Toolkits

Includes Hazard Logs, Risk Assessment Matrices & SPI models.

Wilson Airport Facility

Modern classrooms at DLCO Hangar, Wilson Airport, Nairobi.

Catering & Networking

Full daily catering, teas, and executive peer networking opportunities.

Tailored Across Aviation Sectors

Designed specifically for key operational categories under KCAA CARs

AOC Air Operators

Commercial airlines, bush charters, and cargo operators subject to Part 9 & 12 compliance.

AMOs (Maintenance)

Approved Maintenance Organizations integrating human factors and tool control hazard logs.

ATOs (Training)

Flight academies and simulator centers building safety habits into ab-initio pilot instruction.

Aerodromes & Ground

Ground handling agents, apron safety officers, and airport management teams.

UAS / Drone Operators

Commercial drone fleets implementing risk mitigation for BVLOS and urban operations.

Civil Aviation Authorities

Regulatory inspectors seeking advanced insights into SSP/SMS auditing standards.

Think Training Facilitators

Capt. David Mwangi

Lead Facilitator
Senior Aviation Safety Consultant & KCAA Approved Instructor
With over 18 years in flight operations, safety oversight, and regulatory compliance across East Africa, Capt. Mwangi has spearheaded SMS implementation for certified AOC, AMO, and ATO holders. He holds advanced ICAO SMS certifications and specializes in Human Factors integration and executive risk governance.
ICAO SMS Implementer 18+ Years Flight Ops KCAA ATO Authorized

Eng. Grace Wanjiku

Quality & Audit Co-Facilitator
Lead Aviation Quality Auditor & Maintenance Safety Specialist
Eng. Grace leads SMS auditing and safety assurance training at Think Aviation. A former Chief Engineer and Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME), she brings deep hands-on expertise in BowTie risk modeling, AMO safety registers, and KCAA compliance audits.
ISO 9001 / ICAO Lead Auditor Licensed AMO Engineer

Executive Alumni Feedback

What post holders say about Think Aviation’s SMS Training
★★★★★

“The practical BowTie risk exercise and SPI dashboard design completely transformed how our airline handles hazard logs. KCAA accepted our updated SMS manual on the first audit review.”

Capt. James Ochieng
Flight Operations Manager, Regional Charter AOC

★★★★★

“Capt. Mwangi’s insights into Just Culture and post-holder legal liability gave our executive team clear clarity. Highly recommended for any newly appointed Quality or Safety Manager.”

Eng. Sarah Koech
Quality Assurance Director, Wilson Airport AMO

Assessment & Official Credential

Certificate of Competency in SMS

Delegates undergo practical evaluations, including hazard matrix exercises and a final exam (70% pass mark). Upon completion, delegates are awarded an official Think Aviation Training Certificate of Completion recognized by KCAA for fulfilling mandatory safety post-holder training requirements.

SMS Practical Toolkit Vault

Complimentary executive downloads provided during the course

Hazard Log & Risk Register

Excel Matrix Template (ICAO Aligned)

Safety Policy Statement

Sample CEO Commitment Letter

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Think Aviation is a certified non-flying Aviation Training Organization (ATO No. 22) approved by KCAA. The Safety Management Systems course aligns with ICAO Annex 19 and Kenya Civil Aviation Regulations.

Yes. Think Aviation provides customized in-house training for airlines, ground handling companies, maintenance repair organizations (AMOs), and airport authorities across Africa. Corporate group rates and tailored dates can be arranged.

Course fees can be paid in Kenyan Shillings (KES 45,000) or USD ($700 Excl. VAT) via direct bank transfer, corporate cheque, or M-PESA. Pro-forma invoices are issued upon enrollment registration.

Register for the Next SMS Cohort

For Corporate Training, ATO, AOC, AMO – Wilson Airport, Nairobi

Details to Consider

Limited Executive Seats Available

KES 45,000

per delegate
(Excl. VAT)

Reserve your seat or request a corporate invoice.