A Compliance Mandate That Sparked Change

For years, Neaco Repair ran a solid FAA Part 145 maintenance operation, but like many repair stations, safety management was handled informally. If something happened, supervisors acted quickly, but records lived in HR folders, scattered emails, or hallway conversations.

When EASA’s MAG-10 requirement introduced a hard deadline in October 2025, Neaco saw more than just another regulation to satisfy. The mandate became the catalyst to formalize their safety program, create consistency in reporting, and strengthen accountability to both regulators and employees.

“MAG-10 set the requirement, but RISE SMS gave us the opportunity to structure everything in one place. Now compliance is easier, and our team is more engaged in safety every day.”
– Joe, Chief Inspector

The Reality Before RISE SMS

Neaco’s safety culture was strong in practice, but not in documentation. Incidents were dealt with quickly, yet there was little consistency in how they were recorded, tracked, or analyzed afterward. This left gaps when auditors asked for proof of process.

“We didn’t have an SMS program at all. If something happened, we’d take care of it, but nothing was formalized into one system.”
– Joe, Chief Inspector

The leadership team knew they needed a centralized, web-based system that wouldn’t overwhelm technicians or drain budgets. Most software options, however, were designed for airlines - feature-heavy, expensive, and poorly suited to a repair station environment.

Choosing the Right Fit

After reviewing providers like Safety 101 and Vocus, Neaco chose RISE SMS. Competing platforms came with features and costs that didn’t align with their immediate needs. RISE stood out because it delivered the same compliance strength as larger systems, while also offering the flexibility and affordability that made sense for a repair station environment.

“Other programs had functionality we didn’t need and a cost we weren’t willing to pay. RISE was the right fit because it let us customize the system and its forms the way we wanted.”
– Drew, Quality Inspector

Neaco built out hazard reports, risk assessments, and Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) tailored to their facility. Confidential hazard reporting gave employees confidence to speak up, while QR-code access made reporting seamless on the shop floor. By housing policies, manuals, and their ERP inside RISE, they also created a single source of truth for audits.

“It’s definitely helpful to have everything in one place for FAA or EASA oversight instead of trying to track down folders on a shared drive.”
– Drew, Quality Inspector

Fast Implementation, Real Adoption

Rolling out the platform required little effort from Neaco's team. The setup process was intuitive, and within weeks the system was configured to their needs..

“It was pretty simple to set up and customize. Within three weeks, everyone was trained and already reporting incidents.”
– Drew, Quality Inspector

Employees quickly recognized that RISE SMS wasn’t just another system to log issues, it was a tool that drove real change. Reports submitted in the platform were acted on promptly, which reinforced trust and encouraged continued participation.

“We showed right away that this wasn’t just another process. Things were actually getting fixed.”
– Brian, Technician

Tangible Improvements

Since adopting RISE SMS, Neaco has seen cultural and operational gains:

• More Reporting: Employees now use one clear channel, ensuring nothing is lost.

• Faster Resolution: Hazards move straight from reporting to mitigation.

• Audit Readiness: Oversight bodies can be shown structured, centralized records instantly.

“People are actually reporting things now instead of just telling five different people. Issues are getting taken care of quicker because they’re brought to our attention faster.”
– Paul, SMS Manager

Culturally, safety is now top-of-mind. Employees have confidence that reported hazards aren’t lost through multiple conversations, they’ll be tracked, addressed, and resolved.

A Partner, Not Just a Vendor

Neaco credits RISE SMS not only for the software, but also for the support and partnership behind it.

“Working with RISE has been great. The team updates me quickly, never drags their feet, and they’ve even made adjustments based on our feedback.”
– Drew, Quality Inspector

This responsiveness has built confidence that the system will evolve alongside Neaco’s needs, rather than becoming outdated or rigid.

Looking Forward

With compliance now under control, Neaco is focusing on continuous improvement. The team is rolling out safety placards across work areas, building dashboards to track safety objectives, and holding monthly safety meetings with quarterly executive reviews.

“Even though our president has a lot on his plate, RISE makes it simple to keep him updated. We meet monthly as a safety team, and every quarter he can just log in, see what’s done, what’s open, and approve what’s needed. It’s a lot easier than tracking him down or sending long emails.”
– Drew, Quality Inspector

Conclusion

For Neaco Repair, the journey began with a regulatory mandate, but it’s ending with a cultural transformation. What started as a requirement for MAG-10 compliance has become the backbone of a proactive safety program where employees feel heard, leaders have visibility, and regulators see proof of accountability.
RISE SMS turned safety from a compliance checkbox into a shared responsibility across the organization.

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