The IS-BAO makes available an effective means to obtain and disseminate best practices and provides a process for operators to learn from each other.

The IS-BAO provides a systematic approach to risk management and a tool for eliminating repeatable errors.

The IS-BAO raises the safety bar by enhancing employee knowledge and commitment as well as encourages professional operations in new and existing flight operations.

The Woodhouse Study
In a 2006 study (R. Woodhouse, MRAeS) commissioned by IBAC to assess the potential impact of the IS-BAO it was concluded that; “between 35% and 55% of the accidents could have certainly or probably been prevented by implementation of the IS-BAO.”

ICOA adopted an amendment to Annex 6 Part II on 7 March 2008. The new Section III, which applies to jet aircraft and aircraft over 5,700 kgs (12,500 lbs), introduces the requirement for:

• Operations manuals;
• Safety management systems;
• Training programs; and
• Fatigue management programs.

The IS-BAO incorporates the applicable provisions of ICAO Annex 6, which means the IS-BAO registered operators meet the ICAO requirement. Recently, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands announced that the IS-BAO is evidence of compliance with regulatory requirements applied by their civil aviation authorities.

The FAA has issued AC 120-92, which introduced the concept of a safety management system to aviation service providers, such as;

• Airlines;
• Air taxi operators;
• Corporate flight departments; and
• Pilot schools.

Although the AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation, it does encourage operators to develop and implement a safety management system.

However, AC 120-92 states in Appendix 1 that it is in accordance with Annex 6 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, and the recently mandated International Civil Aviation Organization Document 9859. With the forthcoming Amendment to Appendix 1 (AC 120-92a) in draft, there is no reason to believe that the FAA will not follow with a Notice of Proposed Rule Rulemaking in the near future.

Standards make a positive contribution by ensuring desirable characteristics, such as;

• Quality;
• Safety;
• Interaction; and
• Integration.

It is readily understandable that a common standard will benefit the safety and the financial interests of operators. Conversely, it is easy to see where differences in procedural and equipment requirements would lead to confusion and impose needless expense.

Lack of standards restricts individual flight departments and impedes the development of business aviation as a whole.

Nearly every business sector has standards and measures. Process management and quality assurance programs have become standard business practices.

Until recently, business aviation was seemingly exempt from these requirements. Now it is charged with developing measures and using phrases like; key value creation process, and supporting process, for demonstrating how it adds value to the corporation.

Many corporate quality assurance programs find their roots in Malcolm Baldridge or the ISO Standards, both which weigh heavily on process management and documented business results.

Since the IS-BAO is developed with the principles of the ISO 9000 in mind, business aircraft operators have a viable framework in which to begin.

Without the IS-BAO business aviation would be relegated to using corporate hand-me-down processes that may not fit the unique service they offer.