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Duncan Aviation
FBO/Handler (Battle Creek Executive at Kellogg Field / Battle Creek)

Duncan Aviation
FBO/Handler (Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International / Kalamazoo)

International Business Aviation Council

Mentair Group

Battle Creek (Battle Creek Executive at Kellogg Field) Airport

Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Airport

Safety

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Duncan FBOs pass Stage II as the company eyes three
A four-day audit process to achieve IS-BAH Stage II required the auditor to inspect the facilities at BTL and AZO and pose specific questions to team members regarding the safety culture at Duncan Aviation.
Duncan Aviation is currently the only FBO/MRO in the world that has any kind of IS-BAH certification.

All four Duncan Aviation FBOs have now earned IS-BAH Stage II accreditation. The facilities in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo in Michigan are the most recent to have earned certification; the company's facilities in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Provo, Utah, earned Stage II certification in May 2020.

The safety of its customers and team members is a core value at Duncan Aviation, and the IS-BAH certification demonstrates the company is making safety not just a goal but a daily practice.

IS-BAH, developed by IBAC, is a set of global industry best practices for business aviation ground handlers that feature robust SMS practices. Duncan Aviation's FBOs in BTL and AZO earned Stage II IS-BAH accreditation by having a physical audit from Mentair Group, an accredited IS-BAO auditor.

“The positive safety culture I observed for the BTL/AZO audit was easily validated by the number of reports provided to the Duncan Aviation safety management system by the majority of the Duncan Aviation line and customer service personnel and the positive attitude shown in the interviews from all levels of the staff there,” says Mentair Group auditor Nate Predoehl. “The audit went very well due to meticulous preparation, highlighting the widespread documentation of Duncan Aviation's policies and procedures. Duncan Aviation's commitment to safety is supported by excellent training for all levels of its well-qualified staff.”

The four-day audit process required the auditor to inspect the facilities at BTL and AZO and pose specific questions to team members regarding the safety culture at Duncan Aviation. Among many things team members were expected to know were where to find emergency response plans and safety documents and how to handle a bomb threat or an active shooter.

“This is a big accomplishment for FBO services and Duncan Aviation,” says manager of FBO services in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Benjamin Hammond. “Our teams embody our safety culture every single day, and they're committed to the safety of their teammates, the facility and our customers. Their safety mindset has not only lowered incidents, but it's also bolstered our safety record over the last five years.”

Throughout this year and into 2022, Duncan Aviation will be preparing enterprise-wide for the rigorous Stage III accreditation process. There are only 27 FBOs in the world that have earned Stage III, and Duncan Aviation is currently the only FBO/MRO in the world that has any kind of IS-BAH certification.

“We are extremely proud of our FBO services teams in all of our Duncan Aviation locations for improving safety for our customers and team members as we continue through our IS-BAH stages,” says VP of customer service Doug Alleman. “Achieving Stage II accreditation means we're managing our SMS and we implement appropriate safety performance indicators and safety performance targets. Our safety culture has improved over the last few years because we've empowered team members to actively mitigate risk on a daily basis and record what they see, which helps our management teams make immediate changes when necessary to improve ramp safety.”

Duncan Aviation's line service in Battle Creek operates 24/7 and Kalamazoo is 24/7 scheduled, and each includes the following amenities: office space, conference rooms, pilot lounge, advanced weather planning and café service. Customers can also receive de-ice/pre-heat, GPU starts with fuel, baggage handling, on-site rental cars/courtesy cars, on-site fitness facilities, corporate hotel rates, quick turn service and NATA Safety 1st certified representatives.

Other News
 
ExecuJet achieves IS-BAH Stage II across Spain
September 30, 2024
Nine Spanish FBOs have recently joined the group from Sky Valet and will be integrated into the ExecuJet FBO brand in 2025.
Harrods Aviation becomes first UK FBO to achieve IS-BAH Stage III
September 6, 2024
Duncan recognised by NATA as Tier 2 green aviation business
August 19, 2024
Maven named as latest member of AEG Connect
August 6, 2024
IBAC names IS-BAH Standards Board for the year
June 21, 2024
In addition to reviewing potential changes to the IS-BAH standard, the Council welcomed three new members to the IS-BAH Standards Board: Troy Hyberger, Rick Hooper and Jose Rubinho.