Shell Aircraft has become the first operator in Europe to enroll in the International Business Aviation Council’s (IBAC) new International Standard for Business Aircraft Operators (IS-BAO) Progressive Stage 3 program. IBAC launched the Progressive Stage 3 (PS3) option in 2020 after the beta leadership team of operators designed and tested the program over two years.
PS3 allows operators to access the Stage 3 safety system, share data, and take advantage of opportunities to mentor and share their best practices with others. IBAC calls the one-day Progressive auditing process—featuring a specific credentialed Progressive auditor based in the operator’s region of the world—a key benefit. The council characterizes the audit as “low impact” and an opportunity for operators to concentrate on areas that might show room for improvement.
Shell Aviation became IS-BAO Stage 1 in 2004 and progressed to Stage 3 in 2007. Shell Aircraft operates three Dassault Falcon 8Xs based in the Netherlands and it offsets its emissions using carbon credits.
“We are so glad to see this new PS3 concept come together and excited about integrating it into our department,” said the company’s director of corporate aviation, Stan Medved. “Sharing important safety data and spending more time with the progressive auditor will provide more learning opportunities on both sides, providing a more collaborative environment that will allow us to further strengthen our safety culture. Although the progressive audit is one day annually, we do expect to invest more time with this PS3 program, but it will be more quality time.”