The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and the Unmanned Safety Institute have announced plans to develop and implement the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) auditor training program. Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems are quickly becoming part of existing business aviation operations, or as completely new aviation programs for many companies around the world.  In recognition of this growing segment within the business aviation marketplace, IBAC is adapting its safety standard and audit program to ensure that it will be relevant and applicable to RPAS operations now and in the future.  Professionally trained and credentialed auditors will be critical to internal and external assessments of RPAS programs.

“The business aviation industry is filled with highly experienced and knowledgeable operations and maintenance personnel coming from traditional piloted aircraft backgrounds. However, the RPAS operational environment is relatively new with fewer industry experts,” commented IS-BAO Program Director Andrew Karas. “As with any successful safety program, well-trained and qualified auditors are essential. We chose to partner with the Unmanned Safety Institute because of their experience of educating, training, and certifying RPAS operators for 6 years, with a recognized and respected program that has achieved over 11,000 USI certifications.”

Josh Olds, USI’s president and CEO, added, “IBAC’s globally recognized IS-BAO and IS-BAH standards and audit programs are highly regarded by the business aviation community as they focus on building a culture that promotes continuous improvement in safety practices and risk mitigation.  USI is proud to have been selected by IBAC to develop and implement a RPAS auditor training program that will ensure that the auditor’s existing aviation background and expertise will be augmented with knowledge and awareness consistent with the evolving global RPAS marketplace.”

Under the terms of this agreement, IBAC will require the RPAS auditor training as part of its auditor credentialing programs and provide oversight of the development and implementation of the training program. USI will create the training program content including coursework materials and online learning management system that will allow a global implementation resulting in newly created co-branded digital credentials for successful participants.  The program is scheduled for development and launch later in 2022.