VC JETS 1st FLIGHT DEPARTMENT TO GAIN IS-BAO REGISTRATION USING BALDWIN
Oct 7, 2008 :: Chief Pilot says Baldwin input is like adding “an incredibly experienced member to our staff”Hilton Head, SC—Baldwin Aviation, which became the first firm of its kind to successfully obtain IS-BAO registration in 2007, recently accomplished another first--assisting VC Jets of Carlsbad, California in earning IS-BAO certification, as well. Baldwin’s collaboration was invaluable, according to VC Jets Chief Pilot Chris Nielsen, who said that “their involvement helped us fill in the gaps in the development and formalization of our plan of action. It was like adding an incredibly experienced member to our flight department staff.” VC Jets was the first
flight department to utilize the Baldwin program to gain IS-BAO registration, Nielsen noted.
Baldwin Aviation specializes in helping small and start-up flight departments to meet regulatory requirements and establish safety-oriented operating standards. Its comprehensive Safety Management Program was developed based on its own experience in complying with
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and ISBAO regulations, standards, and practices. “By completing the IS-BAO registration process ourselves, we were able to create a compliance model that is flexible, affordable and specifically designed to help aircraft operations that may not be fully-equipped or staffed to keep up with all the safety-related regulations and information,” Don Baldwin, Baldwin Aviation’s president pointed out. “We provide subscribers all of the components and expertise necessary to comply with IS-BAO standards…and to sustain and manage operations at that level,” he added.
“Baldwin worked with us over a period of several months, assisting us in conducting internal audits, updating and supplementing our operations manual, and developing the proper infrastructure to accomplish something that is traditionally very difficult for a small flight operation like ours to do,” Nielsen said. “They were extremely flexible to our situation and needs and have helped us reach our goal of becoming a ‘world class’ small flight department. And, their influence and involvement continues. Now, in our day-to-day activities, we are acutely aware of how we assess risks and respond to them. This process has helped us refine and enhance our operations. We couldn’t have done this without Baldwin,” he stated.
“VC Jets was extremely well-prepared for the IS-BAO audit,” said Roger Baker of Safety Focus Group, LLC, who conducted it. “The international standards are published and extremely well-defined, but compliance can be a challenge if the organization being audited hasn’t fully
addressed all of the requirements. In this case, it was obvious that Baldwin Aviation’s input had a positive impact on VC Jets. I was very familiar with how well Baldwin was prepared since I did the original audit on their registration. In this instance, I was able to complete this audit in about half the time it usually takes me,” he added. Baker, who retired after 29 years at the Federal Aviation Administration, is a former national safety manager for the FAA.
Baldwin Aviation’s comprehensive safety management program offers more than just a stand-alone SMS program, yet is simple in its delivery and use. Featuring an online, tailored Operations Manual, it also includes Internet based reporting and safety tools such as the Safety Barometer® that monitors flight department safety trends. Insurance industry leaders have reviewed and support the program. Other safety programs include SMSplus™ that was designed for those flight organizations that already have some of the components of a complete Safety Management Program, but are lacking the additional tools that provide the means to monitor and track safety related information; and, RotorSMS™, a specially-designed helicopter Safety Management program.
Baldwin Aviation is neither a consulting nor management company. Instead, it combines more than a century of business aviation experience that enables it to offer valuable mentoring and support to flight organizations regardless of size. Its products include the SafetyGauge® program for flight department startups and its safetysherpa® mentoring program designed for evolving flight organizations.
Don Baldwin, who is a former chairman of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Board of Directors, leads the firm’s highly experienced staff of experts. They have combined their expertise to develop Safety Management Systems that are based on proven techniques, established resources, and consistent monitoring of client operations. Baldwin Aviation also offers a 24-hour help line, JetDesk®, to provide round the clock counsel and assistance. Visit ttp://www.BaldwinAviation.com for more information.
