American Aero FTW becomes first FBO in Texas to earn Stage II IS-BAH certification

American Aero FTW, a fixed-base operator (FBO) serving Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, continues to lead the way in private aviation safety. The FBO is the first in Texas, and one of only a handful in the world, to earn the new rigorous Stage II safety and ground handling certificate of registration from the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC).

IBAC’s International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH™) accreditation 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 International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) standards. American Aero FTW became the first FBO in the Western Hemisphere to earn Stage I certification in 2015.  

Stage II registration requires an FBO to demonstrate that it maintains and incorporates SMS standards in every facet of day-to-day operations. The FBO must show that the systems, processes, and procedures assessed at Stage I are maturing and continue to improve safety performance within ground handling activities.

“It has been a significant year for American Aero FTW, with the grand opening of a new, world-class facility and its achievement in becoming one of the first FBOs in the world to earn Stage II registration,” said Terry Yeomans, IS-BAH program director. “American Aero FTW continues to lead the industry sector in safety management and risk mitigation for the benefit of the customers it serves.”

IS-BAH accreditation involves a complete audit of an FBO’s safety management systems, emergency procedures, organizational structure, administrative elements, security procedures, training protocols, and operating procedures. Certificates of registration are issued to FBOs that have successfully demonstrated conformity to the industry’s best practice standards through completion of a three-stage external audit by an IBAC-accredited auditor.

“The American Aero FTW team is committed to delivering the highest standards of safety and ground handling practices,” said Riggs Brown, American Aero FTW general manager. “As the only Stage II registered FBO in Texas and one of the first in the world to achieve this milestone, the American Aero FTW team continues to deliver the best and safest services in the industry.”

Launched in July 2014, IS-BAH is a joint program between IBAC and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA). It incorporates the NATA Safety 1st ground audit program and follows the long-established structure of the IS-BAO program.