Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) considers the role and purpose of the MSAT Tool.
Purpose of Initial MSAT Certification
The Initial MSAT assessment is used before granting initial certification to confirm that the organisation’s Management System (MS), including its Safety Management System (SMS) and Compliance Monitoring, are:
- Present – Documented in policies, manuals, and processes.
- Suitable – Adapted to the size, nature, complexity, and risk profile of the organisation.
- Compliant – Meets ICAO Annex 19, EASA domain-specific regulations, and related AMC/GM.
- Ready to Operate – All enablers for a functioning MS are in place before operations commence.
Although a full “Operating” or “Effective” status is not expected at this stage, the foundation must be robust enough for operational implementation.
Core Objectives in Initial Certification
During initial MSAT application, the Competent Authority aims to:
Verify Presence and Suitability of All Processes
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- All SMS elements (policy, risk management, assurance, promotion) and compliance monitoring structures are documented.
- Key interfaces with subcontractors and partner organisations are addressed.
Assess Organisational Readiness
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- Review MS documentation, manuals, and records.
- Check that safety policy, accountabilities, ERP coordination, hazard identification framework, and compliance monitoring are in place.
Engage with Key Personnel
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- Interviews with the Accountable Manager and senior managers to confirm understanding and commitment.
- Discussions with operational staff to gauge awareness of safety policy, reporting systems, and “just culture”.
Establish a Baseline for Future Oversight
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- Document initial maturity levels (Present/Suitable) for each PSOE element.
- Provide recommendations for development toward Operating/Effective.
Typical Challenges in Initial MSAT Certification
Organisational Challenges
- Incomplete Documentation: Policies and procedures may exist, but lack clarity or integration across functions.
- Misinterpretation of “Suitability”: Overly complex systems for small organisations, or overly simplified processes for complex operations.
- Gaps in Integration: For multiple approvals (e.g., Part-145 + Part-CAMO), failure to fully merge MS requirements.
Cultural Challenges
- Superficial Safety Culture: “Safety policy on paper” without visible leadership commitment.
- Weak Just Culture Application: Staff unclear on boundaries between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.
Resource Challenges
- Insufficient Competence: Safety managers or compliance staff without adequate training in SMS principles.
- Under-resourcing: No clear budget or staffing plan to support MS implementation and risk management.
Process & Evidence Challenges
- Limited Practical Evidence: Before operations start, much is theoretical; hard to prove Operating/Effective status.
- Lack of Baseline Safety Objectives: No clear metrics aligned with SSP/SPAS or sector risk profiles.
Best Practices for Successful Initial Certification
Preparation & Documentation
- Gap Analysis Before Application: Self-assess against the MSAT to identify missing elements.
- Customisation: Tailor MS documentation to operational reality; avoid generic templates.
- Evidence Readiness: Prepare documented examples (mock safety reports, risk assessments) to demonstrate process readiness.
Management Engagement
- Accountable Manager Involvement: Ensure direct participation in the creation of safety policies, ERP reviews, and resource allocation decisions.
- Visible Leadership: Senior management should be ready to articulate safety priorities and demonstrate a positive safety culture.
Staff Awareness & Competence
- Pre-certification Training: SMS principles, reporting culture, and safety responsibilities explained to all staff.
- Role Clarity: Documented accountabilities for all levels, including risk tolerability decision-making thresholds.
Scalability & Suitability
- Apply Annex 2 MSAT guidance on scalability:
- Small organisation: Focus on lean, integrated processes.
- Complex organisation: Define interfaces, governance layers, and domain-specific requirements.
Regulator Engagement
- Collaborative Approach: Treat the assessment as a dialogue with the Competent Authority.
- Early Feedback: Share draft MS documentation for pre-assessment comments.
Expected Outcomes of Initial MSAT Certification
Positive Outcomes
- Certification granted with MS processes rated Present and Suitable.
- Early recommendations for progression to Operating status.
- Established a common understanding between the regulator and the organisation.
Development Outcomes
- Identified priority actions for the first operational oversight cycle:
- Hazard identification and risk management embedding.
- Safety performance measurement framework development.
- Refinement of ERP and interface agreements.
Long-term Oversight Benefits
- Clear baseline maturity for tracking progress.
- Early detection of cultural or procedural weaknesses.
- Increased potential for extended oversight cycles once “Effective” maturity is demonstrated.
Next Steps
Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) provides the following training as a Classroom or Webinar – Using the EASA Management System Assessment Tool (EASA MSAT) – 2 Days. For details, please see our websites or email [email protected].
Tags:
EASA, SAS blogs, SafetyManagementSystem, AviationSafety, AviationTraining, Aviation Best Practices, MSAT, AviationManagement, InitialCertification, ComplianceMonitoring, AviationCompliance, Initial MSAT, ManagementEngagement
