American Aero Fort Worth becomes first FBO to earn IS-BAH Stage 3 safety registration
American Aero Fort Worth IS-BAH Stage 3 at NBAA 2018
Fort Worth, Texas – October 16, 2018 – American Aero Fort Worth, a fixed-base operator (FBO) serving flight crews and passengers at Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, has become the first FBO in the world to earn a new Stage 3 safety and ground handling certificate of registration from the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC). The announcement came at the 2018 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention & Exhibition in Orlando, Florida.
IBAC’s International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) registration is a global, voluntary code of best practices for business aviation ground handlers. It incorporates a safety management system (SMS) in all aspects of FBO operations and is aligned with the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO).
In 2015, American Aero FTW was the first FBO in the Western Hemisphere to the earn IS-BAH Stage 1 registration. In 2017, the FBO was one of the first in the world to earn Stage 2.
IS-BAH Stage 1 confirms that the SMS infrastructure is established and that safety management activities are appropriately targeted. Stage 2 ensures that safety risks are being effectively managed. Stage 3 verifies that safety management activities are fully integrated into an FBO’s business and that a positive safety culture is being sustained.
“When I created American Aero Fort Worth, I set forth to redefine the FBO experience for passengers and crews and deliver an exceptional customer experience at every touchpoint,” said American Aero Fort Worth founder Robert M. Bass. “This milestone reflects that vision and demonstrates our commitment to deliver unparalleled safety and service.”
Launched in July 2014, IS-BAH was established to provide standardization to handlers and operators around the world as they work to meet the coming SMS requirements from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). IS-BAH is a joint program between IBAC and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA). It incorporates the NATA Safety 1st ground audit programme.
“American Aero Fort Worth continues to set the pace for the industry when it comes to safety management and risk mitigation,” said Terry Yeomans, IS-BAH programme director. “By doing so, they demonstrate their leadership in creating a performance-based, risk-averse culture that is centred on excellence.”
To earn IS-BAH registration, an FBO must undergo a rigorous audit of its safety management systems, emergency procedures, organisational structure, administrative elements, security procedures, training protocols, and operating procedures. Certificates of registration are issued to FBOs that successfully demonstrate conformity to the industry’s best practice standards through completion of a multi-stage external audit by an IBAC-accredited auditor.
