A fatigue risk management system (FRMS) helps you create a flexible operating environment where you can highlight and manage potential fatigue risks.
FRMS is an actively managed process where operators anticipate and address fatigue risks and amend their systems accordingly to manage fatigue risk.
Developing an FRMS
We recommend you speak with us before starting to develop a fatigue risk management system.
You can find information to get in touch on our contact us page.
Your FRMS must include, at a minimum:
- FRMS policy and objectives and related documentation
- practical operating procedures
- hazard identification, risk assessment and mitigation procedures
- safety assurance procedures
- safety-promotion procedures
- change management procedures.
We will arrange a pre-application meeting to help you understand the application process and the requirements to obtain an FRMS approval.
Applying for an FRMS approval
All operators wishing to operate to an FRMS, either for a trial or full implementation, must go through the approval process.
To apply for an FRMS:
If you wish to go ahead with an FRMS application follow these steps.
Withdrawal of application
You can withdraw your application in writing at any time. If you withdraw after we have reviewed your application, we will charge you for only the time we have already spent on your assessment.
We will send you an invoice or refund as applicable.
Applying to change or renew your FRMS
As FRMS processes are ongoing, this approach imposes enduring obligations on an operator to assess and allocate the required resources.
You will need to keep your FRMS up-to-date as fatigue hazards and risks change. Your FRMS will be subject to regular oversight and audit by us.
For both changes and renewals, you will need to submit Application for a Fatigue Risk Management System approval, renewal and changes form.
Significant changes
Significant changes include:
- any increase in the maximum flight times, flight duty periods and duty periods
- any decrease in the minimum off duty periods
- any other change to any element of the FRMS that does not maintain or improve, or is not likely to maintain or improve, aviation safety.
To apply for significant change to your FRMS you must complete and submit an Application for a Fatigue Risk Management System approval, renewal and changes form.
You must provide the safety case for each change, including
- any identified fatigue risks associated with the significant change
- the proposed mitigation to control each risk
- the flight crew member alertness process to verify the effectiveness of each mitigation.
You must also provide a draft of your amended FRMS Manual.
We will review your application to ensure that you have answered the relevant questions and provided all the required documents. If your application is incomplete, we will contact you.
We will also provide you with a cost estimate of your application fee. We will not assess your application until we have received your payment.
Non-significant changes
To notify us about changes to your FRMS that are not considered significant, you must complete and submit an Application for a Fatigue Risk Management System approval, renewal and changes form. You must also include your amended FRMS Manual.
We do not charge any fees to process notifications about non-significant changes.
Renewing your FRMS
If your fatigue hazards and risks have not changed by the time of renewal, you can apply for an FRMS renewal.
To apply you must submit an application for a Fatigue Risk Management System approval, renewal, and changes form.
We will also provide you with a cost estimate of your application fee. We will not assess your application to renew your FRMS until we have received your payment.
Download:
Application for a Fatigue Risk Management System approval, renewal and changes (PDF, 211.85 KB)