The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) has developed a voluntary process for registering flight departments as being in conformance with the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO).
IS-BAO is a code of best practices designed to help flight departments worldwide achieve a high level of safety and professionalism. IS-BAO was developed by the industry for the benefit of the industry. Benefits range from direct value-added for a flight department, to broad community benefits through widespread application of a voluntary, professional safety standard.
This process allows flight department management to demonstrate to the Company Executive, Board of Directors, and passengers that the flight department adheres to an internationally recognized "code of best practice." After undergoing a successful audit by an accredited third party auditor, flight departments will receive a Certificate of Registration from IBAC. The Certificate of Registration is valid for two years.
The first step in the process is to purchase the above-mentioned International Standard from the NBAA, which is provided in hardcopy and on a CD-ROM produced by IBAC.
The International Standard lists the requirements of a professionally run flight department and raises the safety and standardization bars. The International Standard is performance based; that is, it states what should be done, but it doesn't tell the operator how to do it. A keynote feature of the International Standard is its Safety Management System that includes a Hazard Identification and Tracking system as well as procedures for a complete flight department safety risk profile analysis. The Safety Management System is the impetus for a "cultural shift" to reduce flight department risk to the lowest possible levels.
Also included in the International Standard are sub-sections titled "Acceptable Means of Compliance" or AMCs. The AMCs provide more details and guidelines on the International Standard topics.
One of the main requirements of the Standard is for the flight department to have a Flight Operations Manual. On the CD-ROM, applicants will notice generic Flight Operations Manual (FOM) templates. A sample Table of Contents from one of the generic FOMs has been posted on the NBAA website. These FOM templates were written for the International General Aviation (IGA) community. Since they are generic, placeholders for State requirements (Title 14 CFRs, JAROPS, etc.) have also been included.
Using these optional templates to develop an FOM will normally require substantial operator input and customization; for instance, policy and procedures will have to be determined for flight department organization, personnel duties/qualifications, flightcrew proficiency, specific company operations, in-house maintenance program, and aircraft type standard operating procedures (SOPs). The end result is a Flight Operations Manual that not only meets the International Standard but also directly reflects each operator's organization and operations.
Once management determines that their flight department meets the International Standard, the next step is to prepare for and ultimately host the IS-BAO audit.
Because of our multi-faceted team, Assessment Compliance Group, Inc. is uniquely skilled to guide your flight department throughout the entire IS-BAO Registration process.
Our team members are certified IS-BAO auditors, experienced corporate Chief Pilots, Captains, and Maintenance Directors. We have been supporting corporate flight operations with standardization, procedures, and training since 1997. Since the initial release of the International Standard, we have been facilitating the development of Flight Operations Manuals in preparation for a cost-effective pre-audit as well as conducting successful IS-BAO audits. We welcome the opportunity to facilitate this process with your flight department team.
Assessment Compliance Group, Inc. is dedicated to building long-term relationships with flight departments through uncompromising quality and service.
