Post published:20/11/2024
Post category:Front Page Items / Latest Member News
Reading time:4 mins read

Adds Two New Board Members, Updates to International Standard Coming in 2025

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-BAOTM); International Standard for Business Aviation Handling (IS-BAHTM); 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.

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Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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