Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) has become the first educational facility to achieve Stage III under the International Standard for Business Aviation Operations (IS-BAO), a voluntary program of industry best practices established and maintained by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC). With approximately 1,300 students in training at any given time, and more than 200 instructors along with 30 certified A&P technicians, the school’s flight department fleet currently includes 62 Cessna and 10 Diamond aircraft, with training supported by 12 flight training devices and one full-motion simulator. It uses flight data monitoring analysis technology so the university’s faculty can see what is happening with an aircraft from the moment it takes off until it lands, allowing them to spot issues before they become problems. The university is also one of a handful of flight training programs to participate in the FAA’s Aviation Safety Action Program, which allows participants to report any safety issues without fear of penalty.

ERAU achieved Stage I registration in May 2015 and earned Stage II in November 2017.

“At Embry-Riddle, our number one focus and priority is always safety,” said Ken Byrnes, chairman of the flight department at the university’s Daytona Beach campus. “There is no doubt that the IS-BAO protocols and registration process have helped us significantly mature our safety management system over the years.”