IS-BAO – IBAC’s International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations

Looking for an internationally acclaimed series of tools and accreditation scheme to improve your Company’s flight operations procedures, develop risk management processes and Safety Management System (SMS), and foster a positive safety culture committed to continuous improvement? This first article introduces IBAC’s International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations and what it can do for you.

IS-BAO – IBAC’s International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations

IS-BAO™ (Int'l Standard for Business Aircraft Operations) | IBAC

Developed by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO™) was launched in 2002 and is since 2012 suitable for helicopter operators.

Based  on the ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), IS-BAO:

• establishes a framework for effective safety and operational processes, 
• provides tools to facilitate the implementation of best practices, and 
• delivers a Safety Management System (SMS) appropriate to all operational profiles.

IS-BAO Standard

Like the ISO-9000 standard, IS-BAO serves as a guiding framework rather than prescribing specific methods for achieving compliance. It empowers organisations to develop and implement best practices that suit their operational and technical needs.

IS-BAO plays a pivotal role in fostering a positive safety culture committed to continuous improvement. By pinpointing opportunities for enhanced risk management, it not only elevates safety standards but also boosts the confidence of staff, clients, and insurers alike. Adhering to IS-BAO standards is a testament to an organisation’s dedication to operational excellence.

Originally developed for Business Aviation

IS-BAO was originally developed for business aircraft operations. Hundreds of operators on all continents around the world have adopted IS-BAO as their flight operations standard.

IS-BAO is also suitable for other operators

IS-BAO can however also be used for other types of operations, both national and international. 

Performance-based, it is scalable to the small and to the large operators.

Including helicopter operators

IS-BAO is also suitable for helicopter operators.

Notably, the Helicopter Association International (HAI), now known as Vertical Aviation International (VAI), along with the International Helicopter Safety Team (ISHT), which has been reestablished as the Vertical Aviation Safety Team (VAST), cooperated with IBAC in producing in 2012 a revision adapted to helicopter operations.

The IHST team which assisted IBAC with this revision included experts from the European Helicopter Safety Team (EHEST), reestablised as the European Safety Promotion Network Rotorcraft (ESPN-R).

IS-BAO Suite of Tools

IS-BAO includes an Implementation Guide and generic company manuals (GCOM) freely available through AviationManuals, an IS-BAO Preferred Provider and IS-BAO Programme Support Affiliates (PSA), and an SMS toolkit.

Contact and Registration 

To get more information about the IS-BAO programme, visit S-BAO™ (Int'l Standard for Business Aircraft Operations) | IBAC or send an email to ISBAO@IBAC.org.

Click here to register in the IS-BAO programme.