The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) plans to begin testing its International Standards for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) in the third quarter at up to seven flight departments and operators around the world.
Montreal, Canada-based IBAC, an umbrella organisation for nine business aviation trade associations, is also planning to establish a standards council comprising industry professionals, which will be responsible for formulating and implementing changes to the standards.
IBAC president Don Spruston says: "Around seven business aircraft operators from the USA, South America, Canada and Europe will test the standards for operations. The results will then be assessed and presented to the governing board by September. A final copy of the manual should be available by December."
IS-BAO is a voluntary "code of conduct" presented in the form of a company operating manual. It was launched by IBAC last year following demand from the international business aviation community for workable, common, baseline operating standards incorporating equipment, maintenance and procedural requirements.
The standards are closely aligned with International Civil Aviation Organisation and International Standards Organisation guidelines.
Spruston hopes IS-BAO will raise the confidence of regulators and give "the industry more control over its own growth while enhancing communication amongst operators".
Source: Flight International
