Class-Specific Revision Targets "Fiercely Independent" Operators

A decade ago, the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) finished the first release of its International Standard for Business Aircraft Operation (IS-BAO), which has influenced the widespread adoption of Safety Management Systems (SMS). Through cooperation with Helicopter Association International (HAI) and other industry groups, there's a new release which includes, in some sections, separate language and operational criteria applicable to a wide-range of helicopter operations.

“The IS-BAO standard is a great foundation,” notes Stan Rose, Director of Safety for HAI. “Helicopter operators are fiercely independent, and there are more mission-specific criteria for rotorcraft. What IS-BAO does is create a baseline document. We're looking for helicopter operators to get on the path towards improved processes, which of course goes to safety.”

Built around the cornerstone of SMS, IS-BAO is a set of performance-based standards to assist aircraft operators in determining best practices in operations, maintenance, training and other related issues. The standards also provide context with regards to regulations, standards and recommended practices specified by States and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

“If you were to go back and look at the original imaging for IS-BAO, it was always the intention to include rotorcraft,” says IBAC Director General Don Spruston. “The understanding was that most business aircraft operations were fixed wing, so that was our initial focus, but we also noted lots of operations included both fixed wing and helicopters.”

“What we have now is a standard for everybody,” adds IBAC’s Ray Rohr, former IS-BAO Standards Manager. “There are the general provisions that apply to all operators, and then there are some things – though not many – that only apply to fixed-wing aircraft, or only to helicopters. Those deal with issues such as equipment, primarily. But 80 percent of the provisions are common to both.”

Noting the variety of missions flown by rotorcraft, Rose says HAI is developing specific mission criteria for a wide range of operations. “In addition to operations for business use, helicopters are also used in air medical operations, law enforcement, aerial tours, and so much more. The reason we made these changes was to include those operators who don't have standard operating practices in place. There hasn't been a gold standard for those folks. They want the standard, to hold the mirror up to themselves.”

The organizations also acknowledge the challenges of promoting IS-BAO to some operators, particularly those with a small number of aircraft. “To the person operating with five helicopters, everything they do must generate some revenue, because many of them are operating on tight budgets and margins,” says Rohr. “What we must do is demonstrate how a well-planned, well-executed SMS will help make them money.”

“Some 85-percent of this industry is small operators,” adds HAI President Matt Zuccaro. “We would like to be a facilitator for them to move forward into programs that may be associated with larger operators. Our intent is to work in a long-lasting relationship with those operators in a joint effort to improve safety. We will give you everything we've got to help move your operation up to a higher standard.”

FMI: www.ibac.org/is_bao