InFO Bulletin Confirms Agency's Position

The FAA has recognized the Air Charter Safety Foundation's (ACSF) Industry Audit Standard (IAS) as meeting the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety management system (SMS) standards for general aviation (Part 91) operators. In the recently released FAA Information for Operators (InFO) bulletin, "FAA SMS Developments for General Aviation Operators," the ACSF is listed as a source for validating a company's SMS in order to fulfill the ICAO requirements for general aviation operators.

"We are pleased that the FAA has recognized our audit standard," said ACSF Chairman Jim Christiansen. "A connection between the FAA, industry programs, and the ICAO SMS requirements has long been needed."

The IAS comprehensively evaluates both an air charter operator's or shared aircraft ownership company's SMS and its FAA regulatory compliance. The IAS consists of a rigorous review of an operator's processes and procedures, and regulatory compliance, as well as the company's implementation of an SMS. "We designed the ACSF audit program to be a single, comprehensive standard for the charter and shared aircraft ownership industry," added Christiansen. "Our listing in the InFO bulletin acknowledges our program's ability to validate a company's SMS implementation."

The foundation continues to add new operators that have successfully completed their audits to the ACSF IAS registry. With the ACSF IAS, the charter consumer can be assured that audited and registered operators are compliant with the highest standards of safety and compliance. Customers should look for the ACSF IAS registered logo and encourage their preferred charter provider to participate in the program. 

FMI: www.acsf.aero/registry