Safety Management Systems (SMS) –
Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA)

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Delivery Mode

Instructor-Led
Aviation Professional Training

Duration

(Duration may be adjusted depending on the applicable CBTA function category and regulatory requirements.)
Function / Regulatory Requirement Dependent

Course Standard

Aviation Focused
ICAO Annex 19, ICAO Safety Management Manual (Doc 9859), and applicable civil aviation authority requirements.

Registration

Open Intake
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Course Overview & Strategic Objectives

The Safety Management Systems (SMS) – Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) course equips aviation professionals with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to effectively implement, maintain, and improve Safety Management Systems in accordance with ICAO Annex 19, the ICAO Safety Management Manual (Doc 9859), and applicable civil aviation authority requirements.

The course adopts a competency-based approach, ensuring participants not only understand SMS principles but can also apply them in real operational environments. Participants will develop practical competence in hazard identification, risk assessment, safety reporting, safety assurance, safety promotion, and safety performance monitoring across aviation organizations such as airlines, Approved Training Organizations (ATOs), airports, maintenance organizations, and air navigation service providers.

Detailed Course Curriculum

8 Competency / Learning Outcome Areas

  • Explain the ICAO framework for Safety Management Systems.
  • Apply the four components and twelve elements of an effective SMS.
  • Identify hazards using proactive and reactive safety reporting methods.
  • Conduct safety risk assessments and implement appropriate risk controls.
  • Develop and monitor Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs) and Safety Performance Targets (SPTs).
  • Participate effectively in internal safety investigations and safety assurance activities.
  • Promote a positive safety culture within their organization.
  • Demonstrate competence in applying SMS principles through practical workplace scenarios.

Course Objectives

  • Explain the ICAO framework for Safety Management Systems.
  • Apply the four components and twelve elements of an effective SMS.
  • Identify hazards using proactive and reactive safety reporting methods.
  • Conduct safety risk assessments and implement appropriate risk controls.
  • Develop and monitor Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs) and Safety Performance Targets (SPTs).
  • Participate effectively in internal safety investigations and safety assurance activities.
  • Promote a positive safety culture within their organization.
  • Demonstrate competence in applying SMS principles through practical workplace scenarios.

Instructional Methods

  • The course follows the Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) methodology, combining theoretical instruction with practical application to develop measurable workplace competencies.
  • The training includes:
  • Interactive Instructor-Led Sessions: Guided discussions on ICAO SMS requirements, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.
  • Scenario-Based Learning: Realistic aviation scenarios that require participants to identify hazards, assess risks, and make operational safety decisions.
  • Practical Workshops: Hands-on exercises in risk assessment, safety reporting, occurrence analysis, and safety performance monitoring.
  • Case Study Analysis: Review of aviation incidents and accidents to understand SMS implementation and lessons learned.
  • Group Activities: Collaborative problem-solving exercises that reinforce teamwork and safety decision-making.
  • Competency Assessments: Continuous assessment through practical exercises, classroom participation, and performance-based evaluation aligned with CBTA principles.
  • Instructor Feedback: Individual coaching and structured feedback to support competency development throughout the course.

Target Group

  • Safety Managers and Safety Officers
  • Flight Operations Personnel
  • Flight Dispatchers
  • Pilots and Flight Instructors
  • Aircraft Maintenance Engineers
  • Air Traffic Services Personnel
  • Airport Operations Staff
  • Quality Assurance Personnel
  • Aviation Supervisors and Managers
  • Personnel involved in SMS implementation or oversight

Teaching Methodology

  • The course follows the Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) methodology, combining theoretical instruction with practical application to develop measurable workplace competencies.
  • The training includes:
  • Interactive Instructor-Led Sessions: Guided discussions on ICAO SMS requirements, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.
  • Scenario-Based Learning: Realistic aviation scenarios that require participants to identify hazards, assess risks, and make operational safety decisions.
  • Practical Workshops: Hands-on exercises in risk assessment, safety reporting, occurrence analysis, and safety performance monitoring.
  • Case Study Analysis: Review of aviation incidents and accidents to understand SMS implementation and lessons learned.
  • Group Activities: Collaborative problem-solving exercises that reinforce teamwork and safety decision-making.
  • Competency Assessments: Continuous assessment through practical exercises, classroom participation, and performance-based evaluation aligned with CBTA principles.
  • Instructor Feedback: Individual coaching and structured feedback to support competency development throughout the course.

Tailored Across Aviation Sectors

Course content and competency development are mapped to the operational roles identified in the approved course write-up.

Operational Group 1

Safety Managers and Safety Officers • Airport Operations Staff

Operational Group 2

Flight Operations Personnel • Quality Assurance Personnel

Operational Group 3

Flight Dispatchers • Aviation Supervisors and Managers

Operational Group 4

Pilots and Flight Instructors • Personnel involved in SMS implementation or oversight

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers

Air Traffic Services Personnel

Air Traffic Services Personnel

Assessment & Official Credential

Assessment & Official Credential

Participants who successfully demonstrate the required competencies will receive a Certificate of Completion in Safety Management Systems (SMS) – Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA), recognizing their competence in applying SMS principles within aviation operations.

Regulatory Alignment

ICAO Annex 19, ICAO Safety Management Manual (Doc 9859), and applicable civil aviation authority requirements.

Practical Application

The course follows the Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) methodology, combining theoretical instruction with practical application to develop measurable workplace competencies.

Learning Outcomes

Explain the ICAO framework for Safety Management Systems.

Training Outcome

Participants who successfully demonstrate the required competencies will receive a Certificate of Completion in Safety Management Systems (SMS) – Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA), recognizing their competence in applying SMS principles within aviation operations.

Practical Learning & Course Resource Vault

Applied learning activities drawn directly from the course teaching methodology.

Applied Learning Activity 1

The course follows the Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) methodology, combining theoretical instruction with practical application to develop measurable workplace competencies.

Course Enquiry

Applied Learning Activity 2

The training includes:

Course Enquiry

Frequently Asked Questions

  • (Duration may be adjusted depending on the applicable CBTA function category and regulatory requirements.) — Function / Regulatory Requirement Dependent
  • The course follows the Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) methodology, combining theoretical instruction with practical application to develop measurable workplace competencies.
  • The training includes:
  • Interactive Instructor-Led Sessions: Guided discussions on ICAO SMS requirements, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.
  • Participants who successfully demonstrate the required competencies will receive a Certificate of Completion in Safety Management Systems (SMS) – Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA), recognizing their competence in applying SMS principles within aviation operations.

Register for the Next Course Intake

Physical aviation training programme — contact Think Aviation Training for the current intake and registration details.

Our Training Timetable

Details to Consider

  • Course: Safety Management Systems (SMS) – Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA)
  • Duration: (Duration may be adjusted depending on the applicable CBTA function category and regulatory requirements.)
  • Function / Regulatory Requirement Dependent
  • Current fee and intake dates: confirm with Think Aviation Training
  • Contact: +254 711 483 483 or info@think.co.ke

Course Registration & Corporate Training Enquiries

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