What Is a Virtual Safety Office?
A Virtual Safety Office (VSO) empowers small aviation operators to manage their Safety Management Systems (SMS) effectively, fostering a strong safety culture and ensuring compliance with
ICAO Annex 19. Trusted by over 450 organizations, SMS Pro powers VSOs with tools like
Issue Manager and
Safety Surveys, reducing compliance costs by 40%.
See what our customers say.
There are many smaller aviation service providers without the infrastructure or expertise to efficiently manage their own SMS. These operators are not SMS subject-matter experts and need help! Their SMS may (or may not) be required, but the need exists, nonetheless. Examples of these operators include small:
- Corporate flight departments (less than 40 employees);
- Airports;
- Aviation Maintenance Organizations (AMOs or MROs);
- Drone operators;
- Agricultural operations;
- Sightseeing tour operators; and
- FBOs.
A Virtual Safety Office (VSO) would benefit these operators by improving their safety cultures and economically providing SMS subject matter expertise.
There are many SMS activities that these operators may need assistance with, such as:
- Creating or updating their SMS manuals;
- Collecting safety event data;
- Conducting risk analysis;
- Documenting risk management activities;
- Performing safety promotion activities; and
- Managing standard SMS components.
Benefits of Virtual Safety Office (VSO)
Your VSO can provide these operators the same capability as larger organizations by using an SMS Internet portal operated by a Safety Analyst Mentor (SAM). For legal purposes, we avoid the use of terms like "virtual safety manager" or any title using "manager" as the word "manager" implies a level of control for administering all or part of the company. To avoid potential legal liability, we do not want to implicitly or explicitly claim to possess company authority.
Your VSO will enable smaller operators to capitalize on the features and capabilities of a robust SMS Web application for a very low monthly subscription fee. A dedicated, trained Safety Analyst Mentor (SAM) becomes part of your VSO subscription and performs the following functions:
- SMS Application administration
- Hazard /Safety event identification, analysis, tracking and assignment
- Trend analysis
- Assist with risk analysis
- Create reports
- Client coaching, training and mentoring
- Track and manage action item assignments
- Perform safety promotion activities (surveys and newsletters)
- Update stored manuals, documents, policies and procedures as directed by client
SMS Consultant Benefits from Providing a VSO
SMS consultants area already proving limited services to their clients, such as:
- SMS training;
- SMS manual writing;
- SMS implementation support;
- SMS auditing; and
- SMS audit preparation or coaching.
By providing operators with a complete offering in a VSO, you are positioning yourself to offer even more services. Furthermore, you are better positioned to determine client needs and provide services that would better benefit your clients.
Using SMS Pro for Your Virtual Safety Office (VSO)
Objective: Provide a portal to a virtual safety manager that can manage the SMS for multiple clients.
Assumptions for VSO Management
- No more than 20 clients (operators) per portal.
- Each client is a division in SMS Pro with < 40 employees
- Users can see only issues in their division
- SAM is the SMS Pro point of contact for support
Users have little interaction in SMS Pro except to:
- Submit hazard reports (reported issues);
- Read & sign off on safety messages;
- Read safety newsletters; and
- Perform initial/recurrent SMS training.
Offered Modules and Permissions
Frequently Asked Questions about VSO
Q: Can an operator move to their own portal at any time?
A: Yes. Your client can contact SMS Pro to purchase their own portal. There will be a $3,000 one-time setup and data migration fee. Their minimum monthly costs will be $200.
SMS Pro: Your Virtual Safety Office Solution
SMS Pro, developed by NorthWest Data Solutions, powers Virtual Safety Offices for small aviation operators. Tools like Issue Manager, Safety Surveys, and Safety Promotion System provide expert SMS support, ensuring compliance with FAA, EASA, and ICAO standards at a low monthly cost. Scalable for teams of 1 to over 500, with plans starting at $0/month, SMS Pro is trusted by 450+ organizations worldwide. Explore pricing plans to find the perfect fit.
What Our Customers Say
“SMS Pro’s VSO transformed our small FBO’s SMS, cutting compliance costs by 40%.”
— Krista Best, Safety Coordinator, FBO
“The Safety Analyst Mentor streamlined our risk analysis, saving $10,000 annually.”
— Fred Startz, Airport Safety Director
“SMS Pro’s Safety Surveys boosted our safety culture, increasing reporting by 50%.”
— Kellie N. Roby, Corporate Flight Department
“As a Canadian operator, SMS Pro’s VSO ensured ICAO compliance effortlessly.”
— Canadian Operator
Trusted by over 450 aviation organizations. See more customer reviews.
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