A Word From th Director General
Kurt Edwards
It was both productive and enjoyable to meet in person for the first time in a few years with the IBAC Planning and Operations Committee (POC) in February in Austin, TX, on the margins of NBAA’s International Operators Conference. (Thanks to NBAA for hosting us.) The meeting had a particular focus on enhancing both IS-BAO and IS-BAH. We are grateful to the POC members for their collective guidance and look forward to presenting to the Governing Board in May an action plan based on the POC’s recommendations.
It was a pleasure to attend BBGA’s Annual Conference at the beginning of March. The themes of sustainability, workforce, and innovation were clearly evident. BBGA and its membership have undertaken many efforts to address the challenges raised in each of these domains, e.g., raising awareness about sustainable aviation fuels and new technologies that will contribute to business aviation’s decarbonization, encouraging apprenticeships and outreach to the next generations of aviation professionals, and actively engaging with government authorities to facilitate progress.
Planning for EBACE in May in Geneva is well underway. We will have details in April on IBAC’s presence there, including the IS-BAH Standards Board meeting and a recognition event for IS-BAH and IS-BAO Programme participants.
ICAO
Andreas Meyer, ICAO Liaison
- The ICAO Council and Air Navigation Commission are currently on recess. When they return later in March, they will continue setting out ICAO’s work plan for the next three years based on last fall’s Assembly recommendations.
- In February, IBAC’s nomination of its Observer to the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) was formally accepted. Capt. Claude Hurley, IBAC Director for Environment and Flight Operations, will officially lead business aviation’s contributions to the important work of CAEP.
- In response to an invitation from ICAO, IBAC nominated a representative to the new Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Study Group. The Assembly requested that ICAO establish the AAM Study Group to scope out ICAO’s role and responsibilities with regard to AAM, considering whether and to what degree ICAO should develop Standards and Recommended Practices across the full range of the implications of these new entrants’ integration into the air transport system, as well as, ultimately, how best to formally include AAM work in ICAO’s current organizational structure. The group will hold its first meeting in early May.
SUSTAINABILITY
Claude Hurley, Director, Environment & Flight Operations
IBAC continues to participate actively in the work of the International Civil Aviation Organization Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (ICAO CAEP) working groups. As a result of the ICAO Assembly which concluded last October, CAEP set itself on an ambitious work program for 2023-2025, so as to deliver on the agreed elements for achieving the Long Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG), which is aligned with the Business Aviation Declaration on Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050 and the Business Aviation Commitment on Climate Change (BACCC).
In the last month, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) nominated by IBAC to CAEP working groups, discussed together with SMEs nominated by States, ICCAIA, and others how to best update ICAO’s Emissions and Noise standards. The goal of these efforts is that we together, as an international aviation community, provide recommendations and then agree on updated emissions and noise standards that are environmentally beneficial, technologically feasible, and economically reasonable. Through this process, IBAC is ensuring that our community’s voice is heard and has meaningful impact as we build a more sustainable future together.
IS-BAH
Terry Yeomans, Programme Director
- The first IS-BAH workshop of 2023 had the largest attendance ever recorded! Attendees participated from Asia to the West Cost of US which indicated that organizations are taking positive moves toward enhanced airside safety in our sector.
- Efforts have recommenced in earnest for the new Ground Handling regulatory work at both the ICAO and EASA level.
- Regarding the new FAA Airport safety management systems (SMS) requirement, as an airport tenant, how could this affect your FBO operations?
- IS-BAH Standards Board will meet at PALEXPO prior to EBACE Monday 22nd May 2023.
IS-BAO
Andrew Karas, IS-BAO Programme Director
Katherine Hilst, IS-BAO Operations Manager will be attending HAI Heli-Expo 7-9 March in Atlanta, Georgia, please stop by the HAI Safety Zone to discuss updates from IBAC’s advocacy work at ICAO and news from the IS-BAO and IS-BAH Programmes.
It was an outstanding SafetyNet presented by John Cauthen, MedAire Security Director and Etienne Côté, Bombardier, Chief Pilot – Demonstration Flight Operations. The subject matter was focused on Security and how it relates to Building Operational Resiliency and Continuity in your Operation. Link to view the 21 February Webinar recording here: Registration (gotowebinar.com). Part 2 of this series will focus on the medical side of safety with a date in April to be determined.
IS-BAO Workshops are scheduled through June. Also being offered are online workshops for Australia/Asia on 19-20 April and for Europe/Africa/Middle East on 5-6 June. The link to sign-up can be found here: International Business Aviation Council | Workshops (ibac.org)
It was great to meet operators and industry partners at the NBAA Miami-Opa Locka Regional Forum on 8 Feb and at the NBAA International Operators Conference 13-15 February. NBAA’s 50th Anniversary IOC was a great event bringing together operators, industry partners and authorities to discuss international travel policies, regulations and issues impacting flight safety. Thank you, NBAA, for putting together an outstanding conference.
Andrew Karas, IS-BAO Programme Director will be attending Amsterdam Drone Week, 21-23 March, to meet with RPAS Operators and Authorities from EASA and ICAO. There will be key discussions on policy, regulations, and airspace integration with this growing sector of business aviation. Learn more at the link to the event: Innovative Air Mobility connecting cities and regions | Amsterdam Drone Week.
VISIT THE IBAC STORE
We've added IBAC Swag, available to those who want to promote IBAC, and the IS-BAO, IS-BAH Programmes. Visit the store today.! (note that IS-BAO and IS-BAH Registered organizations may choose to order items with official Stage seals through there IS-BA portal or contact comms@ibac.org for access.)
