Agricultural Aviation SMS Success with SMS Pro: A Case Study

The Challenge: Safety Management in Agricultural Aviation

GreenFields Aero, based in a rural agricultural region, operated a fleet of 10 single-engine aircraft for crop dusting, seeding, and fertilizer application. With 30 employees, including 12 pilots and 8 maintenance technicians, GreenFields served over 50,000 acres annually. Despite its critical role in supporting local agriculture, GreenFields’ SMS was underdeveloped, struggling to meet FAA Part 137 and industry safety standards. The following challenges were critical barriers for the safety team:

• Low Safety Reporting: GreenFields’ hazard identification process relied on paper forms and verbal reports, resulting in only 2–4 safety reports monthly. Pilots often skipped reporting incidents like near-misses with power lines or equipment malfunctions due to time pressures, leaving safety risks unaddressed.
• Audit Compliance Burdens: Preparing for FAA audits was resource-intensive. The one-person safety team spent weeks compiling flight and maintenance records, frequently uncovering gaps in documentation. A 2023 audit flagged non-conformities in risk assessment processes, risking penalties and operational restrictions.
• Resource Constraints: With a small, seasonal workforce, GreenFields struggled to implement proactive risk management. Safety tasks competed with intensive spraying schedules, leaving little time for training or trend analysis, weakening compliance efforts.
• Disorganized Data Management: Safety data was scattered across paper logs and basic spreadsheets, hindering effective performance monitoring. This fragmentation obscured trends, such as a 10% increase in mechanical issues during peak season in 2022, which went unnoticed until an aircraft experienced a partial engine failure.

These challenges threatened GreenFields’ compliance, safety, and operational sustainability. As noted in our blog on general aviation safety practices, agricultural aviation requires tailored systems to address its unique operational risks.

"Our safety processes were bare-bones and couldn’t keep up with our operations. We needed a solution that was simple and effective," said Tom Reynolds, GreenFields’ Safety Coordinator.

The Solution: SMS Pro’s Agricultural Aviation Framework

In July 2024, GreenFields partnered with SMS Pro, a cloud-based aviation SMS software designed for small operators like agricultural aviation companies. SMS Pro’s intuitive interface, affordability, and scalability addressed GreenFields’ operational and budgetary needs. Implementation occurred over three months, starting with a gap analysis, followed by staff training, and concluding with a full rollout by October 2024. Below are the key solutions SMS Pro provided:

Streamlined Safety Reporting

SMS Pro’s confidential reporting system transformed GreenFields’ safety reporting process. Pilots and technicians could submit reports via mobile devices, even in remote fields, with an interface that reduced submission time to under 2 minutes. Anonymous reporting options encouraged participation, particularly among seasonal pilots. By December 2024, monthly safety reports increased by 75%, from 4 to 7 on average, aligning with strategies in our blog on developing hazard reporting systems.

Efficient Audit Compliance

The auditing system automated compliance tasks, offering FAA Part 137-compliant templates. Centralized record-keeping and real-time audit trails eliminated documentation gaps, cutting preparation time by 70%, from three weeks to five days. This efficiency enabled GreenFields to pass its 2024 FAA audit with zero findings, securing its operating certificate and avoiding penalties.

Comprehensive Training Programs

SMS Pro’s training system delivered online modules tailored to agricultural aviation roles, covering low-altitude operations, chemical handling, and risk assessment. Over 90% of GreenFields’ staff completed initial training within four weeks, with automated recurrent training schedules ensuring compliance. This education strengthened the safety culture, as pilots felt empowered to report hazards, a practice reinforced in our blog on building safety training libraries.

Actionable Data Insights

The risk management system provided real-time analytics and customizable dashboards. By aggregating data from safety reports, flight logs, and maintenance records, SMS Pro identified trends, such as recurring power line proximity risks, which were reduced by 30% through revised flight planning protocols. These insights enabled GreenFields to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and make data-driven decisions, enhancing safety and efficiency.

SMS Pro’s role-based access ensured that safety coordinators, pilots, and managers had tailored system views, improving usability while maintaining security. The cloud-based platform required no additional IT infrastructure, aligning with GreenFields’ lean operation. The value of such a system for small operators is supported by our blog on promoting safety in small aviation operations, applicable to agricultural aviation.

"SMS Pro gave us the tools to manage safety risks in a demanding environment. It’s been a cornerstone of our operations," Reynolds noted.

Results: Redefining Agricultural Aviation Safety

By January 2025, six months post-implementation, SMS Pro had delivered transformative outcomes for GreenFields Aero, setting a new benchmark for agricultural aviation safety:

• Flawless Audit Performance: GreenFields passed its 2024 FAA Part 137 audit with zero findings, securing its operating certificate and avoiding penalties.
• Faster Incident Resolution: Safety issue resolution time dropped by 50%, from 10 days to 5 days, due to automated workflows and real-time alerts.
• Enhanced Safety Culture: Anonymous reporting and training increased participation, with 75% of pilots and technicians submitting safety reports by Q4 2024, up from 20%.
• Cost Savings: Automation saved 10 administrative hours weekly, equating to $15,000 in annual labor cost reductions, freeing resources for operational improvements.
• Business Expansion: GreenFields secured contracts with two new farming cooperatives, adding $200,000 in annual revenue, as its robust SMS enhanced its reputation for safety.

These results demonstrate SMS Pro’s ability to deliver measurable value for agricultural aviation operators, turning safety challenges into competitive advantages. GreenFields’ success highlights the importance of tailored SMS solutions for specialized aviation sectors.

Key Takeaways for Agricultural Aviation Safety Managers

GreenFields’ transformation offers actionable insights for agricultural aviation operators aiming to enhance their SMS programs:

• Simplify Reporting: Mobile-friendly, anonymous reporting systems boost participation, providing critical safety data.
• Automate Compliance: Tools like SMS Pro’s auditing system streamline FAA Part 137 requirements, saving time and ensuring accuracy.
• Prioritize Training: Role-specific training empowers pilots and technicians to engage with the SMS, fostering a proactive safety culture.
• Harness Data: Real-time analytics enable trend identification and risk mitigation, enhancing safety and efficiency.

By adopting these strategies, agricultural aviation operators can replicate GreenFields’ success, achieving compliance, safety, and growth. SMS Pro’s affordability and scalability make it an ideal solution for small, seasonal operations, as demonstrated by GreenFields’ journey.