Gateway USA, LLC doing business as Clay Lacy Aviation, LLC (CLA-Seattle), underwent a rigorous third-party audit that resulted in the granting of the first Stage II IS-BAH registration in North America.

Only three other ground-handling operations in the world (all in Europe) have reached this milestone. CLA-Seattle was recognized as an International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) 'Trailblazer' FBO by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) in June of last year when they earned one of the first Stage I registrations.

During an independent audit performed beginning of June, CLA-Seattle successfully demonstrated that their systems, processes and procedures assessed at Stage I are maturing and continue dynamically to improve their ground handling safety performance and activities.

“Our congratulations go out to the management and teams at Gateway USA, LLC facility for their continued support and dedication to the IS-BAH programme. The first Stage II North American registration is a significant milestone. ” said Terry Yeomans - IS-BAH Program Director.

The IS-BAH has been created for the industry by the industry. It incorporates a scalable safety management system (SMS) concept in all aspects of FBO/BAHA operations and is complementary with the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO), adopted globally by corporate flight departments.

Chuck Kegley, General Manager of Gateway USA, LLC dba Clay Lacy Aviation, LLC said, “Safety is the foundation of our culture. The IS-BAH standards were developed using ‘best practices’ used widely in the international business aviation community and, as such, reflect the high level of operational safety that we continuously work to achieve. I wish to thank all of those who worked so hard to make this achievement possible; including our safety partners at Baldwin Aviation and our Director of Safety, Richard Keltner.”

The International Standard for Business Aircraft Handlers is a set of global industry best practices for business aviation ground handlers, featuring at its core a safety management system (SMS). The IS-BAH follows the structure of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Program and incorporates the NATA Safety 1st Ground Audit Program. IS-BAH is the global industry standard that meets or exceeds SMS requirements from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Stage II registration requires the FBO to not only demonstrate that they maintain a Safety Management System but that they incorporate their SMS in every facet of their day-to-day operations.

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