Airport Business

MAY 2015

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FBO PROFILE 30 airportbusiness May 2015 IS-BAH is expected to help policies become more consistent across the industry, even on the smaller items according to Bauer. "For instance, flight crews ask for fuel to be waiting for a quick turn and only find as they taxi in that the fuel truck is broken, or learn just before departure that their catering was mishandled or a fueler left a door open." Bauer thinks the internal FBO audits demanded by an IS-BAH certification will help IS-BAH BASICS By Steve Smith THE IS-BAH follows the long established structure of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Program and incorporates the NATA Safety 1st Ground Audit Program. As one global industry code of best practices, IS-BAH will provide standardization to handlers and operators around the world to meet the coming SMS requirements from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Introduction to IS-BAH Implemented on July 1, 2014, the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) is designed to promote use of indus - try best practices blended through a progres- sive Safety Management System (SMS) for Fixed Based Operations (FBO) and Business Aircraft Handling Agencies (BAHA). It provides baseline requirements for structuring a FBO/ BAHA in the planning and conduct of their operations; it challenges these organizations to review their current systems, programs and procedures, recognize strengths and weak- nesses in those procedures, and upgrade to a higher standard. The standard is based on International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices in the preparation of handling business aircraft. IS-BAH is an industry code of best practices developed by the international business avia- tion community for the benefit its members. It is the group's contribution to promoting highly professional operational practices that will build on the excellent safety record already established by business aviation. Conforming to these standards and recommended practic- es is voluntary and may be self-administered. However, recognition for implementation of and conformance to the standards is available via an auditing process that results in an IBAC certificate of registration. The program centers on the Safety Management System (SMS) developed by ICAO and other operations-critical industries. It leads the operator from establishment of beginning principles to a sustainable SMS and operations program to a performance-based, risk averse culture for both large and small FBO/BAHA's.Audits conducted every two years ensure conformance with the standard and provide valuable feedback to the oper- ator. The registration certificate issued upon successful completion of an audit serves as proof of compliance with several key ICAO standards, which are required for operations in number of countries. Audits concentrate on SMS develop- ment through a gradual process of advancing maturity: f Stage One confirms that the SMS infra- structure is established and that safety management activities are appropriately targeted. All supporting standards have been established. f Stage Two ensures that safety manage- ment activities are appropriately targeted and that safety risks are being effectively managed. f Stage Three verifies that safety manage- ment activities are fully integrated into the operator's business and that a positive safe- ty culture is being sustained. f More than 700 business aviation operators in 35 countries are currently IS-BAO regis- tered, which continues to improve their safety risk profile and operating effective- ness and efficiency. These business avia- tion flight operations, as part of their SMS requirements, seek verification of the level of proficiency of the handling of their busi- ness aircraft. IS-BAH provides a means of conformity to those requirements Benefits of IS-BAH IS-BAH registered FBO/BAHA's will benefit from the same advantages experienced by current IS-BAO registered operators, who are enthusiastic in their praise of the pro- gram noting that since implementation they experience: f Enhanced operational safety through predictive and proactive methods. f A sense of teamwork and pride of achieve- ment among their personnel. f Improved efficiency and effectiveness through an integrated management system. f Increased senior management under- standing and appreciation for the flight department. f Reduced insurance rates. f The ability to measure overall department performance. American Aero's flight department is run by industry users who understand what pilots and passengers want and need.

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