The FAA is advising U.S. Part 135 operators that they soon will need an approved safety management system (SMS) program to fly throughout Europe under the Third Country Operators (TCO) regulation. Part 135 operators based outside of Europe will be required to obtain a TCO authorization from the European Aviation Safety Agency by November 26 to operate in Europe. TCO authorization includes a requirement that the operator has a state-recognized SMS program, such as those recognized by the FAA, the agency noted in its Summer 2016 SMS newsletter.

The SMS requirements are based on ICAO standards under Annex 19 and are in line with EASA’s risk-based considerations for TCO authorization, the agency noted. The FAA said it does not accept third-party sponsored SMS programs, but does recognize its own SMS voluntary program. The SMSVP is available to Part 135, 145, 141 and 142 organizations.