Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Ground Operations Course
SMS for Ground Operations course for those who want to expand their approach to aviation safety.
Overview
With a key focus on safety management in Ground Operations, this 3-day training course introduces aviation and aerodrome Safety Management Systems (SMS), including the necessary organisational structures, accountabilities, policies and procedures required to design and implement a robust and effective SMS.
Driven by industry best practices in safety management, this highly practical course is ideal for those working closely with and/or managing airside safety practices in ground operations and ground handling. The course covers a range of topics designed to provide a strong background into the regulatory environment surrounding airside safety, the purpose and end result of strong SMS, and how to create and manage an organisational safety culture. Modules are backed up by real-world examples, case studies and group exercises.
Key information
Duration
The theory element of this course takes three (3) days to complete. There is no practical requirement associated with this course.
Course delivery
Our instructors deliver the course in person, on-site at your location.
Theory (Classroom)
Max. group size
10 participants.
If you have more staff that require this training, we can arrange additional sessions.
Qualification validity
There is no recurrent requirement associated with this training course.
What the course covers
SAFETY & REGULATION
Regulatory & Industry Requirements
Ramp Health & Safety
Incident & Accident Investigation
Regulatory Oversight
Safety Cultures
Airside Safety Audits & Inspections
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
The Principles of SMS
The Result of no SMS
Risk Assessment
Human Factors
OPERATIONS
Implementing an Effective SMS
Operational Documentation
Training & Competency
INSTRUCTOR LEVELS ONLY
Group Exercises
Case Studies
What’s included
✅ Participant guide
Every participant receives a detailed supplementary reference guide, to use during the course and take away afterward
✅ High quality training material
Meticulously researched lesson plans and step-by-step sessions with interactive visual aids
✅ In-person instructor
A highly vetted subject matter expert to deliver the course in-person for maximum engagement
✅ SAE-aligned certification
Every participant receives a certificate of attendance and qualification at the applicable SAE AS6286 level
Common questions
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Any staff wishing to understand the basics and component parts of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and how they apply to Aerodrome operations.
Unfortunately we do not accept bookings from private individuals.
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This course is available to organisations only, and is delivered exclusively on-site at your operation. If you're an individual looking to get qualified, we'd recommend speaking to your employer or ground handling company about arranging training through us.
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You can book this course to be delivered at any time of the year and we accept bookings at any time. However, our winter training season typically peaks from September to November each year, and our schedule for that period is often fully booked well in advance. We will always do our best to accommodate requests at short notice.
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Yes, we can offer multi-year training agreements to help ensure your staff remain industry conformant year after year. Please speak with our team to discuss discounted pricing and preferred booking options available for multi-year training agreements.
Hear from clients that have booked training with us
"Once again we requested Miles Aviation for another De-Icing course to support our office team during the winter operations. For that I want to thank to Simon Miles and Dean Court for the excellent course! Must say also that Miles Aviation keeps a high level of professionalism not just in their training team but also in their course contents.”
Nicola Macedo
Ground Operations Director, Hifly
“When we were looking for a new partnership one of the core goals was to find someone with a similar approach to processes, requirements, and training to our company values, and with Miles Aviation we are convinced that we found just that.”
Reda Urbaitienė
Training Manager, Litcargus
“Considering Mongolia’s specific climatic conditions, this comprehensive training, which effectively integrated both theoretical and practical components, was highly valuable. Our clients have expressed their deep satisfaction with the quality and outcomes of the programme.”
Ariungerel Purev,
Director, Aviation Training LLC
Awards, Memberships, & Accreditations
Book your 2025/26 winter training
Get in touch for a no-obligation consultation. We'll assess your team's qualification levels and recommend the right programme — whether that's initial qualification, annual recurrency, or a mix of both.
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Only a few weeks after our hottest ever day in the UK and against the backdrop of the late August sunshine, the new De-icing season officially starts with our newest client, Flybe.