Kate Sarsfield/LONDON
The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) is drawing up a code of practice for the international business aircraft community in an attempt to harmonise operations across the globe.
IBAC, the Montreal, Canada-based umbrella organisation for nine worldwide trade associations - including the US National Business Aviation Association and the European Business Aviation Association - concedes that, as the business aircraft market continues to boom, it has a duty to develop sound practices across the industry if it is to be treated as a serious player by aviation authorities.
"IBAC is taking responsibility [beyond its remit] by developing a workable common baseline standard acceptable to the industry," says IBAC director-general Don Spruston. "We want to codify the best practices of the best companies in the form of standards."
The code of practice will be drawn up in stages and will cover all areas of the business aircraft industry, including maintenance and certification. The initial focus will be on aircraft operations, including charter operators and corporate flight departments. "Phase I, the proof of concept stage, will determine whether the concept is workable. We are aligning our thinking with ICAO [International Civil Aviation Organisation] standards, which are in need of an overhaul, as well as guidelines set by the ISO [International Standards Organisation]," Spruston says.
The steering committee, consisting of IBAC members, plans to establish a general framework by October, based on the experience and practices of 10 "respected operators", yet to be disclosed.
Source: Flight International
