Sofema Aviation Considers the oversight fundaments for EASA approved Organisations and considers the role of the Compliance Auditor Introduction In 2026, the EASA landscape focuses heavily on the Management System (MS). For an internal auditor, the goal is to bridge the gap between the regulatory requirement for Protection and the commercial drive for Production. When a finding…

In this Sofema Aviation Services white paper discussion, Steve Bentley, FRAeS, CEO of Sofema Aviation Services, explores how modern EASA auditing is evolving toward a more risk-based, performance-driven, and collaborative approach that strengthens safety culture while maintaining regulatory integrity. Introduction  Here we will discuss each of the following points in turn: Applying a more practical,…

These drivers act as the “why” behind the SMS, shaping how an organization prioritizes its investigative resources. Regulatory Drivers Modern regulators have shifted from prescriptive rules (did you do X?) to performance-based oversight (how well does X work?). This means investigations must now provide documented proof that the SMS is functioning as a closed-loop system….

Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) Looks at Processes to ensure we are able to Identify change throughout the organisational system. Introduction For any medium to large EASA Compliant Part 145 Organisation, the SMS must shift from the “informal” oversight possible in small shops to formalized, data-driven processes. Typically with limited resources we need to avoid the…