IS-BAO

THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD FOR BUSINESS AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS 

MORE THAN AN SMS

Launched in 2002, the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO™) was developed by the business aviation community and is designed to promote use of high quality operating practices by:

• Establishing a framework for effective safety and operational processes

• Providing tools to facilitate the implementation of best practices

• Delivering a Safety Management System (SMS) appropriate to all operational profiles

As the globally recognized voluntary safety standard, IS-BAO helps operators apply industry best practices by challenging them to review and compare their safety-related policies, processes and procedures, and then make improvements, elevating them to the worldwide standard for business aviation.

Contact ISBAO@IBAC.org with questions.

Why IS-BAO

Participation in IS-BAO reflects an operator’s commitment to internationally recognized safety practices and distinguishes them within the industry.  As the only ICAO-recognized industry standards program developed specifically for business aviation, IS-BAO stands apart from commercial, for-profit alternatives.  It is part of IBAC’s non-profit mission to serve the industry and IS-BAO participation not only promotes a strong safety culture and enhances organizational and client confidence, but also directly supports IBAC’s global advocacy to improve aviation safety and ensure business aviation has a voice on the international stage.

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IS-BAO WORKS FOR ALL OPERATORS

Performance-based, IS-BAO is scalable to the small operator with just one aircraft conducting domestic operations, or to a fleet of aircraft involved in intercontinental operations. Helicopter operators also benefit from IS-BAO implementation, and it has been compatible with rotary-wing operations since 2012.  

IS-BAO does not dictate the method to be used to achieve conformity, rather it guides the process and allows each organization the freedom to realize its own best practice for most operational and technical concerns.

To assist operators with their IS-BAO implementation, the system includes an Implementation Guide, the SMS tool kit, several generic company operations manuals (GCOM) available for free through Nimbl, a PSA.  In addition, IS-BAO recognized Programme Support Affiliates (PSA) are available to assist operators with Standard implementation.

IS-BAO STAGES

The IS-BAO auditing process concentrates on SMS development through a gradual process of advancing maturity: 

Stage 1 - confirms that the SMS infrastructure is established and that safety management activities are appropriately targeted  

Stage 2 - ensures that safety risks are being effectively managed  

Stage 3 - verifies that safety management activities are fully integrated into the operator’s business and that a positive safety culture is being sustained 

A DYNAMIC STANDARD

The IS-BAO is updated as needed to reflect safety developments in business aviation operations and technology around the world. The IS-BAO Standards Board, comprised of volunteer industry operators and experts, reviews the standard for improvement and ensures that the document continues to be a dynamic tool appropriate to business aviation.

EFFICIENCY

IS-BAO registered operators also experience improved operational efficiencies as well as access to preferred rates from leading insurance carriers such as Global and USAIG.

BENEFITS

The benefits of this voluntary standard go well beyond its global recognition as the benchmark for safety and efficiency in business aircraft operations. Hundreds of operators on all continents around the world have adopted IS-BAO as the definitive standard for flight operations. Learn more about the Benefits of IS-BAO