SMS audit course in airports
Online course of 300 hours in airport SMS auditing. 6 modules covering the airport operator SMS, applied audit principles, audit planning and execution, SMS effectiveness assessment and findings and corrective actions, with an assigned technical tutor.
SMS audit course in airports — studying from Ireland
Ireland's aerospace sector is concentrated in Shannon, Limerick and the Dublin region, with a strong base of maintenance, repair and overhaul, avionics, aerostructures and engine component manufacturing. Multinational suppliers and specialist SMEs serve global airframe and engine programmes, while the Irish Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency shape certification and airworthiness requirements. Growing interest in drones, urban air mobility and space-related research is supported by university spin-outs and national research centres. Engineers here work on design assurance, systems integration, maintenance planning and compliance across the aviation value chain.
Fees for Ireland: €743 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by professional bodies in Ireland for aerospace work?
SEIUM's qualifications are private, not state-awarded, and are not accredited by any national body. Engineers Ireland is the main professional body for engineers in Ireland and sets its own membership criteria, so recognition is decided by them, not by SEIUM. Aviation safety oversight sits with the Irish Aviation Authority. Check directly with these bodies before relying on any credential for licensing or chartership.
Do Irish aerospace and drone employers value private online engineering qualifications?
Hiring in Ireland's aerospace and drone sector is generally driven by demonstrable skills, relevant experience and, for many roles, recognised degrees. A private qualification may support a CV, particularly alongside practical experience, but its weight is decided by each employer. We cannot promise any outcome. Speaking to prospective employers about how they view SEIUM's programmes is the most reliable way to judge.
Can I study this programme alongside a full-time job in Ireland?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so there is no travel and no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, so plan your weekly time accordingly. You will have an assigned technical tutor, and fees can be paid in instalments. Some employers offer funding, which you should ask about directly.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Interpret aerodrome SMS requirements under Regulation 139/2014.
Plan risk-based audit programmes.
Conduct audits applying the ISO 19011 guidelines.
Assess the real effectiveness of a safety management system.
Write clear findings classified by severity.
Apply root cause analysis to nonconformities.
Prepare a complete airport SMS audit report.
Who it's for
- Airport safety auditors.
- Airport SMS managers.
- Aerodrome inspectors.
- Airport quality technicians.
- Apron operations managers.
- Aerodrome certification consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join airport operators.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 139/2014 on aerodrome requirements (aerodrome certification, operation and SMS)
- ISO 19011:2018 Guidelines for auditing management systems (management system audit guidelines)
- ICAO Doc 9859 Safety Management Manual (ICAO guidance on SMS)
- Annex 19 to the Chicago Convention. Safety Management (ICAO safety management standards)
- ICAO Doc 9774 Manual on Certification of Aerodromes (ICAO aerodrome certification guidance)
- ICAO Doc 9981 PANS-Aerodromes (procedures for aerodrome operations)
- Regulation (EU) 376/2014 on occurrence reporting (reporting, analysis and follow-up of occurrences)
- Q-Pulse
- Intelex
- ECCAIRS 2
- Microsoft Power BI
6 modules
1.1ADR.OR requirements of Regulation 139/20141.2Aerodrome certification and the aerodrome manual1.3Typical airside hazards1.4Apron safety programme1.5Local runway safety teams1.6Interfaces with ground handling and ATS1.7Management of contractors on the airside1.8Coordination with emergency plans1.9Oversight by the national authority1.10Case study: interface map of an airport
2.1ISO 19011 guidelines2.2Compliance audits versus effectiveness audits2.3Auditor independence and competence2.4Annual audit programme2.5Risk-based audits2.6Objective evidence and its evaluation2.7Auditor bias and ethics2.8Inspections by the competent authority2.9Comparison with ISAGO audits2.10Workshop: risk-based audit programme
3.1Audit plan and scope3.2ADR requirements checklists3.3Preliminary document review3.4Opening meeting with management3.5Interviews with operational staff3.6Inspection of the movement area3.7Sampling of occurrence records3.8Observation of night operations3.9Closing meeting and communication3.10Practical: wildlife and FOD checklist
4.1Review of safety policy and objectives4.2Quality of the hazard register4.3Effectiveness of management of change4.4Analysis of indicators and trends4.5Quality of internal investigations4.6Staff training and competence4.7Reporting culture at the airport4.8Maturity assessment tools4.9Follow-up of previous recommendations4.10Case study: effectiveness audit of an SMS
5.1Classification of level 1 and level 2 findings5.2Writing nonconformities5.3Root cause analysis5.4Corrective action plans5.5Deadlines and closure of findings5.6Verification of the effectiveness of actions5.7Structure of the audit report5.8Communication to management5.9Audit programme indicators5.10Workshop: root cause analysis with the five whys
6.1Selection of the airport and scope6.2Complete audit plan6.3Specific checklists6.4Staff interview script6.5Record of evidence obtained6.6Findings and their classification6.7Corrective action plan6.8Final audit report6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so the programme can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Q-Pulse, Intelex, ECCAIRS 2 and Microsoft Power BI, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: an SMS audit of a regional airport, a movement area inspection with a checklist and root cause analysis of audit findings. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 139/2014 on aerodrome requirements, ISO 19011:2018 Guidelines for auditing management systems, ICAO Doc 9859 Safety Management Manual, Annex 19 to the Chicago Convention. Safety Management, ICAO Doc 9774 Manual on Certification of Aerodromes, ICAO Doc 9981 PANS-Aerodromes, Regulation (EU) 376/2014 on occurrence reporting.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Q-Pulse, Intelex, ECCAIRS 2 and Microsoft Power BI, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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