ExecuJet Australasia obtains BARS accreditation
Company is first fixed wing operator in the world to obtain accreditation
ExecuJet Australasia has been accredited as the first Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) fixed wing operator in the world with zero findings and become the second operator worldwide to be registered without restriction against the new risk based standard.
The BARS programme has been developed by the Australian office of the Flight Safety Foundation to make flying safer for personnel employed in the resource sector and lifting the global aviation safety standards.
Rio Tinto’s principal adviser for Aviation Safety, Geoff Want, said he was delighted that Rio Tinto could partner with the FSF to develop the standard and take aviation safety to new heights. “The BAR Standard Programme is significant step forward for the mining and onshore industry and will help progress standards similar to those in other industries such as gas and oil.”
The BARS programme is a common aviation safety standard for the resource sector, supplementing existing national and international regulations. Based on best-practice aviation safety principles, BARS will make flying safer for those in the resources industry by introducing a standardised safety audit across the sector replacing multiple audits with one review conducted to a rigorous international standard.
“Based on leading aviation industry risk management principles, I am confident that it will improve aviation safety for everyone – companies, operators, employees, their families and supporting communities.” Geoff Want added.
“We are very proud to have achieved a zero findings audit and to be the first fixed wing operator globally to do so. Our operations, maintenance and quality teams have done a tremendous job in ensuring our operational and safety standards are maintained to such high standard,” stated Darren McGoldrick, managing director ExecuJet Australasia.
Cameron Ross, group manager aviation safety at BHP and chairman of the BARS technical advisory committee said that having a single common standard with the provision of additional safety initiatives will play an important role in raising aviation safety standards across the resource sector. “Together with our industry colleagues, we have been pleased to work with the Foundation to help develop this important standard which can be used to support aviation operations worldwide. Ensuring the ongoing safety of our people remains BHP Billiton’s key priority, and we are delighted to continue our support of the Flight Safety Foundation and particularly their mission of increasing global aviation safety through this standard.”
“We have been a supporter of the common standard and believe in the benefits it will deliver the resource sector and the aviation companies who service them” McGoldrick added.
