Regional Safety Oversight Cooperation System (SRVSOP)

The Power of a Unified Vision

The story of the Regional Safety Oversight Cooperation System, or SRVSOP, began in 1998 with a simple, yet powerful, idea: to unite as a region to elevate aviation safety standards. We faced common challenges across our states—a lack of adequate budgets, insufficient technical personnel, and the difficulty of drafting complex regulations independently. For some, the small size of the local industry made it hard for auditors to remain truly independent. The solution was clear: we had to work together.

Stronger Together

By pooling our resources, we could achieve cost savings, develop harmonized regulations, and leverage multinational teams of experts. This collaborative approach has given our auditing processes greater independence and transparency, avoiding the duplication of efforts and providing greater ease for the industry. More importantly, it has led to better levels of operational safety for everyone.

A Community Built on Collaboration

Since we officially began operations in 2002, our foundation has been a collaborative spirit. Today, we are a community of 12 member states, from Cuba and Panama to Chile and Argentina. Our governance is led by the Directors of Civil Aviation, who set the strategy, while our General Coordinator oversees day-to-day operations. Our work is supported by dedicated Expert Panels—specialized working groups that are the very heart of our regulatory development.

Harmonizing the Skies

The core of our efforts is the creation of the Latin American Aeronautical Regulations, or LARs. Our guiding principles are strict: our regulations must align with ICAO standards, be written in clear language, and avoid literal translations that don’t fit our regional reality. We don’t reinvent the wheel; we adapt and improve upon the best global practices.

Results That Speak Volumes

And the results speak for themselves. Since 2005, we have developed over 50 LARs and more than 70 advisory circulars. The numbers tell a powerful story of cooperation: between 2014 and 2024, we trained over 7,900 technicians and conducted more than 800 technical assistance missions. We’ve even achieved a mutual recognition agreement for maintenance organizations, with 8 already certified.

Navigating the Future

Of course, our journey has its challenges. The sustainability of our achievements is paramount, and we are working to foster a new culture of risk-based oversight. To address this, our new 2024-2027 Strategic Plan is our roadmap, with 10 strategic objectives focused on strengthening our role, promoting multinational agreements, and adapting to emerging technologies.

A Legacy of Cooperation

Our story is a testament to the power of cooperation. A 2015 study found that SRVSOP has generated a significant benefit of $35 million for our member states. This shows that the investment in our system is not just about compliance, but about creating tangible value. We are more than just an organization; we are a community dedicated to a safer aviation future for our entire region. For more information, visit the official SRVSOP webpage.