The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) has developed a very good standard for business aviation operators. The standard is called the International Standard – Business Aviation Operators (IS-BAO). Click here to view the IBAC website.
Unlike other aviation standards, the IS-BAO is systems orientated and centered on the Safety Management System (SMS). Operators must have a SMS to become registered as a stage 1 operator. As the SMS matures, business operators are expected to be assessed to stage 2 standards. The SMS must be more mature and be effective for the operator to be registered to Stage 2 and 3.
The registration and audit regime recognized that SMS, if appropriate and implemented properly will improve safety. IBAC also recognize that SMS is in some ways evolutionary and should continually improve.
IBAC provide plenty of resources to assist business aircraft operators prepare for registration and to improve safety generally. IBAC and the Australian Business Aviation Association (ABAA) provide a support for operators. ABAA can be contacted on abaadbell@optusnet.com.au .
Business aircraft operators have a great opportunity to raise safety standards and reputation by becoming IS-BAO registered.
Through a sister company, Aero Risk Management Pty Ltd, R D Collins and Associates can provide IS-BAO preparation or audit services to business aviation operators.
I was very pleased to read that the nation’s aviation infrastructure provider, Airservices Australia is providing a number of scholarships to assist those wishing to learn to fly. Airservices will be assisted in the selection of successfull applicants by the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs, AOPA, and the Australian Women’s Pilots Federation. Some years ago, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority also provided scholarships to licensed aircraft engineer apprentices. I am unsure of whether this still occurs.
Whilst these initiatives are very welcome, they are somewhat isolated oases in a desert of support for our best people who wish to pursue a career in one of the many aviation disciplines. It could be argued that the role of encouraging training for the industry should not fall to the infrastructure provider, the safety regulator or even peak industry bodies, but rather this role should be one belonging to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
My reasoning is that support for the people entering the industry is fundamental to the Department’s primary roles of providing infrastructure support, transport policy and regional development. There have been many studies and reports over the last 30 years or so to indicate that at times serious shortages of skilled, technical aviation practitioners may lead to safety issues, curtailment of business growth, deterioration of infrastructure, and reduction in services (particularly in regional and remote areas).
Rather than welcome but projectized scholarships being offered, a co-ordinated national approach should be taken to ensure that the Nation has sufficient aviation industry capability 10 or 15 years ahead. Occasionally, we hear of the Australian “brain drain”, and the “skills shortage”; these are critical issues to the technical, economic and cultural development of Australia. Whilst the Aviation White Policy may address some of these issues, it is important that the industry sees some real action in relation to the long term industry capability. The next couple of years may very well be a watershed in terms of the future of the industry.
