Integration of Web-based Operations Safety System (WebOPSS) and Operations Approval Portal System (OAPS) into the Safety Assurance System (SAS)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION N 8900.744

NOTICE

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Effective Date: 7/24/25 National Policy Cancellation Date: 7/24/26 SUBJ: Integration of Web-based Operations Safety System (WebOPSS) and Operations Approval Portal System (OAPS) into the Safety Assurance System (SAS) 1. Purpose of This Notice. This notice provides inspectors with information on the integration of Web-based Operations Safety System (WebOPSS) and Operations Approval Portal System (OAPS) into the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety Assurance System (SAS). SAS Operations Safety System (SAS OPSS) and SAS Operations Approval (SAS OA) will replace the WebOPSS and OAPS platforms. This notice also provides interim guidance until FAA Order 8900.1 is amended. This notice contains information that is administrative in nature.

2. Audience. The primary audience for this notice is Office of Air Carrier Safety Assurance (ACSA), Office of General Aviation Safety Assurance (GASA), and International Field Office (IFO) managers, principal inspectors (PI), aviation safety inspectors (ASI), and other employees who use SAS to support certificate management, certification, and Continued Operational Safety (COS). The secondary audience includes the Safety Standards and Foundational Business offices.

3. Where You Can Find This Notice. You can find this notice on the MyFAA employee website at https://employees.faa.gov/tools_resources/orders_notices and the Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) at https://drs.faa.gov . Operators and the public can find this notice on the FAA’s website at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices and DRS.

4. Background. SAS Phase 4 Wave 1 OPSS/OA development began in fiscal year (FY) 2022 (refer to Notice N 8900.658, Safety Assurance System (SAS) Phase 4 Wave 1 Vision, Changes, and Benefits, dated June 1, 2023). OA/OPSS was included in SAS v4.5.1, released March 2025 (Quarter 2 FY 2025) to specific test sites. The final release for all FAA offices is set for Quarter 4 FY 2025.

5. Discussion.

a. Terminology. This notice uses singular terms for clarity: (1) “OpSpecs” is used to refer collectively to all authorizing documents, including operations specifications (OpSpecs), management specifications (MSpecs), training specifications (TSpecs), and Letters of Authorization (LOA).

Distribution: Electronic Only Initiated By: AFS-200

7/24/25 N 8900.744 (2) “OAPS” and “OA” denote the operations approval system.

(3) “WebOPSS” and “OPSS” refer to the authorizing system.

b. SAS OA System. Existing applications in OAPS will continue to be processed as usual, while new applications must utilize the SAS OA.

c. Data Transfer. Existing OpSpecs will be created in SAS OPSS by transferring data from WebOPSS. After the data migration, WebOPSS will be set to read-only mode for all users, allowing them to verify the data transferred to SAS OPSS.

d. Access. SAS OPSS/OA can be found under SAS Configuration [Module 1].

e. Business Processes. SAS OPSS/OA remain like legacy programs. The originating office and PIs remain responsible for issuing OpSpecs documents for authorization approval.

f. Unassigned Applications. Guidance is available in the SAS Resource Guide (SRG). If there are resource shortages, unassigned SAS OA applications will be placed on a waitlist.

g. Signing OpSpecs Documents. Authorized inspectors and industry users can sign OpSpecs documents through DocuSign, which is integrated into SAS and eliminates the need to download, install, or purchase any additional software. For external stakeholders who do not register as industry users of SAS, traditional pen-and-ink signing is still an option. Registration for the SAS external portal to access SAS OPSS is optional for external stakeholders.

h. Interruptions in SAS Automation. Inspectors may issue OpSpecs or make pen-and-ink updates to hard copy documents until the software is corrected. For further details, consult the SRG. Users are encouraged to report any automation issues.

i. Support Products. For more information on SAS OPSS/OA deployment and resources, see Appendix A, Support Products.

6. Action.

a. Data Management. See Appendix A for Q-Cards and resource location for post-SAS OPSS/OA deployment.

b. Training. It is highly advisable to complete the transition courses for SAS OPSS/OA.

The course listings are available in the SRG.

7/24/25 N 8900.744 7. Disposition. Some of the information in this notice will be incorporated into Order 8900.1.

Direct questions or comments concerning the information in this notice to the following: Policy, the Air Transportation Division (AFS-200) at 9-AFS-200-Correspondence@faa.gov, or Automation, the Safety Management, Analytics, and Systems Integration Division (AFS-900) via SAS Submit Feedback link within SAS.

Hugh Thomas for Lawrence Fields Executive Director, Flight Standards Service

7/24/25 N 8900.744 Appendix A Appendix A. Support Products Figure A-1. SAS Resource Guide (SRG) Location Figure A-2. Operations Approval (OA)/Operations Specifications (OPSS) Location A-1 7/24/25 N 8900.744 Appendix A Figure A-3. OA/OPSS Resources Location A-2