The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) has restructured the workshops for its International Standard for Business Aircraft Operators (IS-BAO) safety program to an initial and recurrent format for operators, auditors, and program support affiliates. This week at NBAA-BACE, the IBAC/IS-BAO team is offering a show special for IS-BAO initial and recurrent workshops beginning early next year.
“This new format is an evolution of our traditional workshops and aligns with other initial and recurrent training programs that operators are accustomed to,” said IS-BAO program director Andrew Karas. “We listened to these operators and auditors and restructured the syllabus to save them time, minimize repetitiveness, and offer a more tailored and rich recurrent course that includes current hot topic safety issues and protocols that affect us all.”
First launched in 2002, the IS-BAO program is a globally recognized voluntary safety standard. More than 1,500 business aircraft operators around the world have adopted the IS-BAO standard since then. IS-BAO fundamentals and auditing workshops have long been an important part of this safety accreditation program.
Taking part in the initial workshop is required for at least one operator company representative when initiating a new IS-BAO registration or for anyone seeking new IS-BAO auditor or program support affiliate (PSA) accreditation. It is also recommended that new safety officers enroll in this course.
The initial IS-BAO course includes a 12-hour virtual curriculum and free access to the IS-BAO Protocol Standardization (IPS) online course for one year. Created in partnership with Aviation Safety Solutions, IPS employs a step-by-step approach to review each IS-BAO section, with explanations provided for every protocol requirement.
IBAC's IS-BAO recurrent course is a six-hour virtual instructor-led session. It covers the recently updated Audit Procedures Manual (APM), as well as IS-BAO protocol updates, hot topics, and a post-audit process review.
“I am excited for the new format and know that the attendees will appreciate the fresh approach we’ve taken to delivering the material in a timely manner,” said Katherine Hilst, IS-BAO operations manager and workshop lead. "Keep in mind—we can bring these courses to your operation as a live and in-person option with adequate notice.”