Why Safety Management Matters

Aviation is the safest mode of transportation in history — and that safety record exists because the industry takes a systematic, proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks. A Safety Management System (SMS) is the framework that enables this approach. It is a formal, top-down, organisation-wide system for managing safety risks through hazard identification, risk assessment, safety assurance, and safety promotion.

For business aviation, SMS is no longer optional. ICAO Annex 19 requires all aviation service providers to implement SMS. The FAA has issued SMS requirements for Part 135 operators, and EASA mandates SMS under its management system requirements. Beyond regulatory mandate, passengers, insurers, and corporate risk managers increasingly require SMS compliance as a condition of doing business.

Industry audit programmes — ARGUS, Wyvern Wingman, IS-BAO — have become the standard way to evaluate and demonstrate safety management maturity. These certifications serve as independent verification that an operation meets or exceeds industry safety standards.

Our Safety Services

SMS Development and Implementation

For operations that do not yet have a formal SMS, we build one from the ground up. Our SMS development process follows ICAO's four-pillar framework:

• Safety policy and objectives: Defining management commitment, safety accountability, appointment of key safety personnel, coordination of emergency response planning, and SMS documentation.
• Safety risk management: Establishing processes for hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk mitigation. This includes developing a hazard reporting system, risk matrices, and risk acceptance criteria.
• Safety assurance: Creating systems for safety performance monitoring, change management, and continuous improvement. This includes defining safety performance indicators (SPIs), safety performance targets (SPTs), and internal audit processes.
• Safety promotion: Building a safety culture through training, communication, and engagement. This includes safety awareness programmes, safety meetings, and anonymous reporting mechanisms.

Safety Audits

We conduct comprehensive safety audits that evaluate every aspect of your operation against industry best practices and regulatory requirements:

• Operations audit: Flight operations procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs), training programmes, crew scheduling, duty time management, and operational control
• Maintenance audit: Maintenance programme compliance, documentation, facility capabilities, parts management, and quality assurance
• Ground operations: Ground handling, fuelling, de-icing, passenger processing, and ramp safety
• Security: Aircraft security, facility security, passenger screening (where applicable), and threat assessment procedures
• Emergency response: Emergency procedures, emergency equipment, crew training, and emergency response plan testing
• Documentation: Operations manuals, maintenance records, training records, and regulatory filings

IS-BAO Preparation

The International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) is a global code of best practices for business aviation. Developed by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), IS-BAO certification demonstrates that a flight department meets international safety standards.

IS-BAO registration involves three stages:

• Stage I: Implementation of a safety management system and conformance with IS-BAO standards
• Stage II: Demonstrated maturity of the SMS with evidence of safety performance monitoring and continuous improvement
• Stage III: Full integration of safety management into all aspects of the organisation, with evidence of proactive safety management and organisational learning

Plane Selection guides operations through all three stages, from initial gap analysis through implementation, documentation, and preparation for the IS-BAO audit.

ARGUS and Wyvern Preparation

ARGUS and Wyvern are the two most widely recognised third-party safety audit programmes in business aviation:

• ARGUS Rated: Historical analysis and operational capability assessment. Gold, Gold+, and Platinum ratings based on operational history, fleet composition, and pilot qualifications.
• Wyvern Wingman: Comprehensive operational audit covering safety management, training, maintenance, and operational control. Wingman certification is widely required by corporate travel departments and risk managers.

We help operators prepare for these audits by conducting mock audits, identifying gaps, implementing corrective actions, and coaching staff for the audit process.

Risk Assessment

We conduct formal risk assessments for specific operational scenarios:

• New route or destination risk assessment
• International operations risk evaluation
• VIP operations security and safety assessment
• Adverse weather operations risk analysis
• Crew fatigue risk management (FRMS)
• Maintenance error risk assessment

Incident Investigation

When safety events occur — incidents, accidents, near-misses, or hazard reports — they must be investigated thoroughly and objectively. We provide independent investigation services that identify root causes, contributing factors, and systemic issues, and develop corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Safety Culture Assessment

The most sophisticated SMS is ineffective if the organisation's safety culture does not support it. We assess safety culture through confidential surveys, interviews, and observation, identifying strengths and areas for improvement in how the organisation perceives, communicates about, and manages safety risks.

Who Needs Safety Consulting

• Corporate flight departments: Developing or maturing their SMS, preparing for IS-BAO registration, or meeting corporate risk management requirements
• Part 135 / AOC operators: Regulatory SMS compliance, ARGUS/Wyvern audit preparation, and operational safety improvement
• Aircraft management companies: Ensuring their managed fleet operations meet the highest safety standards
• New operations: Start-up flight departments establishing safety management from the beginning
• Charter buyers: Corporate travel departments wanting to audit their charter providers' safety management practices

Engage Our Safety Team

Safety is not an area where you can afford to take shortcuts. Contact Plane Selection to discuss how our safety consulting services can strengthen your operation, prepare you for certification, and build a safety culture that protects everyone involved.