Free 20-minute Part 5 gap check

Answer honestly; nothing is stored. You get your sole-individual status with the reasons, a score against every requirement, what closes each gap, a 90-day plan, and a draft declaration letter.

Step 1 — About your operation

Operator name

Part 135 certificate number

Physical address

Your FSDO or CMO

Accountable executive — name

Accountable executive — title

Aircraft on the certificate

People in the operation (employees and regular contractors)

Do you also hold a 91.147 air-tour LOA?

In the FAA voluntary program (SMSVP) today?

Step 2 — Who does what?

This decides whether the "sole individual" provisions apply to you.

How many pilots fly for the certificate, including contract pilots?

Who schedules flights and exercises operational control?

Who tracks and coordinates maintenance?

Who does flight planning, weight and balance, fueling, and ground handling?

Any employee with a safety-related job (mechanic, line tech, dispatcher)?

Office staff who only do bookkeeping or answer phones?

Step 3 — What do you have today?

Answer for what exists and is in use. "Partly" means something exists but isn't signed, current, or leaving records.

Your gap report

By component

Component	In place	Partly	Missing	Not required for you

What's missing and what closes it

Rule	What it requires	Status	What the inspector will ask to see	What SMS Ready gives you

Records you must keep

Risk assessments: as long as the control is still in use.
Audits, reviews, investigations, corrective actions: at least 5 years.
Training records: as long as the person works for you.
Safety communications and hazard notices: at least 24 months .

Your 90-day plan

Draft declaration letter

Want the gaps closed for you? Build & Declare takes you from this report to a signed declaration in 90 days; the Small Operator plan generates every document on this list from the answers you just gave and runs the reminders. The first ten operators get 50% off for life as Pilot Partners. contact@smsready.aero

SMS Ready is an independent product and is not affiliated with the FAA. The gap check maps your answers to 14 CFR Part 5 as in force in November 2026, AC 120-92D, and FAA Notice N 8900.737. It is a self-assessment aid, not FAA acceptance or legal advice. Compliance with Part 5 remains the responsibility of the certificate holder and its accountable executive. Confirm how your principal inspector wants the declaration submitted.