Duncan Aviation’s Battle Creek and Kalamazoo FBO Facilities Receive IS-BAH Stage I Accreditation

Duncan Aviation is announces that its Fixed Based Operator (FBO) facilities in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Michigan, have received Stage I accreditation from the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH). Duncan Aviation’s other two main facilities in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Provo, Utah, had previously earned this accreditation.

IS-BAH certification means that the FBOs have met all international standards for business aviation handlers to promote and provide safe environments for customers and fellow team members. Wyvern Ltd., the company that performs audits for business aviation FBOs, looks to see how well the Safety Management System (SMS) has been integrated into the company’s culture.

“The reason for an organization to have an SMS is that it coordinates all safety-related activities to help us better manage hazards and continually improve the safety of our products,” says Duncan Aviation’s Manager of Audit Programs Mike Brown. “Because of the nature of our industry, hazards can never be completely eliminated, but the SMS lets us develop plans as a company, learn from mistakes, and mitigate risks and hazards so we make informed decisions going forward.”

Achieving the IS-BAH Stage I accreditation means that Duncan Aviation’s Line Services departments in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo have policies and procedures in place for every operation. They have to have performance indicators in place to track minor and major incidents and near misses, a way to report any incidents, and a safety team in place to reduce the number of incidents.

“In addition to having the policies and procedures that make up the SMS in place, our team members must be familiar with them,” says Manager of FBO Services in Battle Creek. “The auditor asked team members specific questions related to policies in the SMS to ensure that all 32 members of the teams in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo know the policies and where to find them.”

IS-BAH, developed by the IBAC (International Business Aviation Council) and the NATA (National Air Transportation Association), is a set of global industry best practices for business aviation ground handlers that features a safety management system. This international accreditation certifies that the Duncan Aviation’s Safety Management System followed by the facilities in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo have been recognized and certified as meeting all international standards to promote and provide safe environments for customers and team members.

Duncan Aviation’s line service amenities include office space, conference rooms, pilot lounge, advanced weather planning, and café service. Customers can also receive De-ice/Pre-heat, GPU starts with fuel, baggage handling, on-site rental cars/courtesy cars, on-site fitness facilities, corporate hotel rates, Quick Turn service, and NATA Safety 1st Certified Representatives.

IS-BAH Stage II accreditation is underway at all three main Duncan Aviation locations and Kalamazoo. The Lincoln, Nebraska, facility hopes to secure Stage II accreditation in 2020.