20 November 2024 – Montreal -- The International Business Aviation Council’s (IBAC) operational best-practices programme, the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO), held its annual Standards Board meeting last month in Las Vegas prior to NBAA-BACE and welcomed two new board members.

The newly elected board members joining IS-BAO are Max Grover, CAM, Captain with Liberty Mutual flight operations, and Christopher Bing, Assistant Chief Pilot with RTX flight operations.

Stan Medved (BBGA) continues as Chairman of the IS-BAO Board and Len Beauchemin (NBAA) as Vice Chairman. Returning IS-BAO Board members include Dan Boedigheimer, Jad Donaldson, Shannon Hotchkin, Doug Carr, and Mike Ott representing NBAA, Randy Horsley from CBAA, Franz Hornung, GBAA/EBAA, Joanne Wong, AsBAA, Chris Tran, ABAA, Jens Hennig from GAMA, and James Viola from VAI. IS-BAO Board nominees are selected by their respective IBAC Member Association to provide a balance of expertise that represents the full spectrum of operations within business aviation.

Andrew Karas, IS-BAO Programme Director, said, “We are thankful to this global network of board members, including Pat Dunn and Keith Washington who are exiting the board, for their years of service. We also extend a warm welcome to Max and Chris, whose unique perspectives and expertise will undoubtedly enrich our team. Each Board member voluntarily plays a crucial role in shaping the future of business aviation safety, and we are grateful for their dedication to this mission. Their unwavering commitment to safety and excellence is the driving force behind our industry's progress.”

In addition to electing the two new board members, the IS-BAO Board reported they adjudicated suggestions for the Standard received from the past year. They expect the release of the 21st edition of IS-BAO, reflecting those updates, including Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) standards, to be available early next year. Registered operators and subscribers to the IS-BAO will have access to the latest release from their user portal and can contact isbao@ibac.org with any questions.

About International Business Aviation Council (IBAC)

IBAC represents the interests of business aviation worldwide. IBAC is a non-profit, international trade association with official observer status at the International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN Specialized Agency for aviation matters, in Montreal, Canada. IBAC promotes and manages the industry-leading standards for best safety practices through its International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO^TM); International Standard for Business Aviation Handling (IS-BAH^TM); Safety Management Tool Kit; SMS eLearning training; and Crew Card. Recently introduced in partnership with CTX, the IBAC Carbon Credit Exchange provides the business aviation community with a reliable resource for real-time offsetting to reduce its carbon footprint. More details at www.ibac.org

About the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO™)

First introduced in 2002, IS-BAO continues to expand its reach and impact by bringing meaningful safety standards and best practices to business aviation. IS-BAO goes beyond simply providing a framework for SMS with 12 additional chapters, each crafted to address the specific needs and standards of business aviation. These internationally recognized standards are shaped by the insights and expertise of operators and industry professionals, ensuring that IS-BAO remains relevant and beneficial to the sector’s unique operational environment. IS-BAO is also a strong advocate for business aviation on the international stage. Through the support of the business aviation community including auditors, Programme Support Affiliates (PSA), IBAC Member Associations and Industry Partners, IS-BAO continues to champion the needs and interests of operators, influencing positive change within the global regulatory landscape.

Media contact:

Marj Rose, IBAC Communications Consultant, comms@ibac.org