Press Release

Issued by International Business Aviation Council.

October 9, 2017

IS-BAO, the only voluntary safety standard for business aviation by business aviation, was elevated to new heights today with a big vote of confidence from industry leaders in a new and improved standard.

The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) is rolling out a modernized and consolidated version of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO), the voluntary, global code of best practices for business aviation. This comes after a unanimous vote from the IS-BAO standards board made up of flight department industry leaders and recognized subject matter experts.

“This is a landmark change and paradigm shift that the aviation industry demanded. After a year-long listening tour, we heard users wanted a step-by-step process for small operators and a more embedded system for established operators so audits become routine and not a distraction,” said Bennet Walsh, director, IS-BAO program.

“There are nearly 800 IS-BAO operators worldwide. They look to IBAC and IS-BAO for leadership because we're here to promote their interests at the global level at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and to support them at the operational level through this program. We met with nearly one hundred operators around the world to hear their concerns. By reviewing each existing standard with the question 'How does this add value to an operator?', the IS-BAO team was able to reduce the size and complexity of the IS-BAO standard,” said Walsh. “The program has become more responsive to its participants. In addition, it is adjusting to emerging technologies and applications in aviation and auditing.”

Part of the roll-out is called Vision 2020, allowing operators more flexibility and time to gradually implement the improvements rather than only having six months to update annually. The new standard improves efficiency, has a more logical flow, and reduces workload. Also, the new standard benefits from the IBAC IS-BAO teams' efforts to ensure that the new ICAO SMS manual (Doc. 9859) Rev. 4, now includes language tailored to international business aviation for the first time.

“From Fortune 100 flight departments to single aircraft owners, we operate in a challenging environment in and around small communities or large business centers. Therefore, we have a responsibility to our passengers, staff, vendors, and those communities to reduce risk to as low as reasonably practicable whether operating from Wichita to Shanghai and everything in between.” Walsh said. “Being an IS-BAO-registered operator is a significant statement. It means you are committed to a proven safety and operational code of best practice. The standards board vote today is a result of a grass-roots effort not only to refresh that standard for current users but also to welcome new operators who wish to conform with this voluntary standard of excellence.”

Please visit the IBAC team at NBAA BACE (stand C9451) in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 10- 12, 2017, and join us for the IS-BAO/IS-BAH Industry Q&A in Room N255/257 #3 from 1:00 to 2:00pm on Tuesday, October 10.