What is IS-BAO?
IS-BAO is the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations, a program of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC).  NBAA is a member of IBAC. 

Who is IS-BAO for?
Business aircraft operators, large and small, including Part 91 and Part 135 operators in the United States.  Adoption of IS-BAO is elective, by company choice.

What is the purpose of IS-BAO?
IS-BAO provides a comprehensive, internationally recognized base line standard of best practices for organizing, staffing and conducting business flying operations. Flight departments or operators that choose to adopt IS-BAO have the option of having the company registered with IBAC as IS-BAO compliant subject to completion of an audit by an accredited third party IS-BAO auditor.  An IBAC Certificate of Registration is then provided.

What is the relationship between IS-BAO and a Safety Management System (SMS)?
IS-BAO is more comprehensive than an SMS, although development and implementation of an SMS is the core element of IS-BAO.  Successfully implementing IS-BAO will result in also implementing an SMS. 

I have heard that implementation of an SMS may become a requirement?  Is this correct?
Basically, yes.  In March 2006, ICAO amended Annex 6--which addresses requirements for the operation of aircraft, commercial air transport operators, and helicopter operators--requiring member states to mandate that their Annex 6 operators establish an SMS. The March 2006 amendments require member states to initiate compliance by January 1, 2009. On December 7, 2007, ICAO proposed incorporating Annex 6 SMS requirements into Annex 1 (medical licensing) and Annex 8, (airworthiness of aircraft), specifically aircraft and aircraft component manufacturers, as well as maintenance facilities. These proposals, if adopted, would extend the compliance date for Annex 6 amendments that were adopted in March 2006 to November 19, 2009, and require all member states to initiate compliance with the Annex 1 and Annex 8 amendments by November 18, 2010.
The United States has endorsed the December 7, 2007, ICAO proposal to require product/service providers under Annex 1, 6, and 8 to develop an SMS.

In July, 2009, the FAA issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) as an initial step in the process of US implementation.  Comments are due by the end of October, 2009, after which a rulemaking committee will be formed and the usual US processes followed.  So the summary answer is “yes”, US operators will be required to successfully implement an SMS, beginning sometime after 2010 and the final rule making.
NOTE:  Many countries are ahead of the US in requiring that all aircraft operating into their airports be SMS compliant in response to ICAO requirements.  If you operate internationally, you will want to get familiar with these developments.   

If my company is IS-BAO registered, will that meet the upcoming US SMS requirement?   
Almost certainly yes, as the FAA is very aware of and has reviewed existing worldwide quality and safety management systems such as IS-BAO.  It is hard to imagine that an established and globally accepted SMS such as the one contained in IS-BAO will not meet or exceed the US requirement when it is finalized.  This is especially true in light of the fact that the NBAA is the largest of the 15 ICAO member state components.

Why should I implement IS-BAO now, instead of waiting until SMS is a regulatory requirement?
The primary reason is because you will achieve the considerable safety, cost and reputational benefits of IS-BAO now instead of later.  Waiting may mean that you will have to wait in line for certification from the FAA if there is a crunch on either FAA or IS-BAO resources at the end. Waiting may also mean that implementation will be more costly.  Waiting could put you at a competitive disadvantage if you are a commercial operator and others have arrived before you. 
There is considerable momentum already among US Part 91, 91K and Part 135 operators to get IS-BAO in place.  An SMS developed according to IS-BAO is the “gold star” standard globally for aviation operators. 

What does it cost and how long does it take to implement IS-BAO?
That depends to a large extent on your existing organization:  its current size, staffing, organization and state of development for example.   Although the IS-BAO documentation includes extensive guidance designed to assist operators with implementation, a substantial degree of effort is often required when implementing such a comprehensive program.   An implementation process ranging from many months to a year or more would not be unusual.  

Many operators have found it useful to engage an accredited auditor on a consulting basis early in the process of initial assessment and to provide strategic guidance during the implementation process.  IBAC has an excellent website at www.ibac.org.   Click on the IS-BAO link there for more information.   

Advanced Aircrew Academy welcomes your questions and the opportunity to discuss IS-BAO and SMS with you.  Please call John Frazier, our accredited IS-BAO auditor at 303-726-7423 or e-mail to jfrazier@aircrewacademy.com  or Dan Boedigheimer at 719-964-8911/e-mail dboedigheimer@aircrewacademy.com.   Thank you.