American Aero FTW, a fixed-base operator (FBO) serving flight crews and passengers at Meacham International Airport, became the first FBO in the world Oct. 18 to earn a new Stage 3 safety and ground handling certificate of registration from the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), the company said in a news release.
“When I created American Aero FTW, I set forth to redefine the FBO experience for passengers and crews and deliver an exceptional customer experience at every touchpoint,” American Aero FTW founder Robert M. Bass said in the release. “This milestone reflects that vision and demonstrates our commitment to deliver unparalleled safety and service.”,
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 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.
“American Aero FTW continues to set the pace for the industry when it comes to safety management and risk mitigation,” said Terry Yeomans, IS-BAH program director. “By doing so, they demonstrate their leadership in creating a performance-based, risk-averse culture that is centered on excellence.”
To earn IS-BAH registration, an FBO must undergo a rigorous audit of its safety management systems, emergency procedures, organizational 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.
“This latest accomplishment is all about understanding customer needs and expanding the safety envelope to ground handling operations through the vision and commitment of our leadership and team,” Bob Agostino, American Aero FTW vice president and a nationally renowned pilot and safety expert said in the release. “At American Aero FTW, passengers and flight crews experience the same level of service and excellence on the ground as they demand in the sky.”
americanaero.com.
ibac.org
– FWBP Staff