FAA Acknowledges ACSF Audit Standard

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has acknowledged the Air Charter Safety Foundation's Industry Audit Standard as a tool to validate a company's safety management system (SMS). In the recently released FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 120-92A, "Safety Management Systems for Aviation Service Providers," the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is listed as a source for providing a third-party evaluation for SMS.

"We are pleased that the FAA has acknowledged that our audit standard can be used to validate a company's SMS," said ACSF Chairman Jim Christiansen.

The ACSF Industry Audit Standard (IAS) comprehensively evaluates both an air charter operator's or shared aircraft ownership company's SMS and its FAA regulatory compliance. The IAS consists of a rigorous review of an operator's processes and procedures, and regulatory compliance, as well as the business' implementation of, and adherence to, an SMS.

"We designed the ACSF audit program to be a single, comprehensive standard for the charter and shared aircraft ownership industry," added Christiansen. "Our listing in the advisory circular is further acknowledgement of our program's credibility."

In 2009, 24 audits were completed and another 32 audits will be completed in 2010. The Foundation will soon be announcing a series of new operators that have successfully completed their audits and made the ACSF IAS registry.

With the ACSF IAS, the charter consumer can be assured that audited and registered operators are compliant with the highest standards of safety and compliance. Customers should look for the ACSF IAS-registered logo and encourage their preferred charter provider to participate in the program.

ACSF makes its operator registry and key company details available at no charge so verification of IAS registration is quick and easy. Charter consumers can view the registry at www.acsf.aero/registry.