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Save the Date! Join us for the 2025 PROS IOSA Summit in Taipei, Taiwan this coming October. Hosted by EVA Air, the ARGUS PROS TEAM is looking forward once again for an opportunity to meet with our IOSA Safety Partners and PROS Support Subscribers in the Asia region. We're excited to engage in a bit of training, some discussions on the IOSA Program and Risk Based IOSA Audits, and share with colleagues about organizational challenges and success within the IOSA program. To sign up, contact John Gravage at  john.gravage@pros.aero ! We're looking forward to seeing you there.

Save the Date! Join us for the 2025 PROS IOSA Summit in Denver, CO this coming September. Hosted by United Airlines, at the United Flight Training Facility located in Denver, Colorado. The ARGUS PROS TEAM is looking forward once again for an opportunity to meet with our IOSA Safety Partners and PROS Support Subscribers. We're excited to engage in a bit of training, some discussions on the IOSA Program and Risk Based IOSA Audits, and share with colleagues about organizational challenges and success within the IOSA program. To sign up, contact John Gravage at  john.gravage@pros.aero ! We're looking forward to seeing you there.

As the aviation industry continues its transition into the Risk-Based IOSA (RBI) environment, the PROS Support Program (PSP) is providing operators with unparalleled expertise and guidance. With a growing number of airlines already benefiting from PSP, our subscribers are supported by a dedicated team that includes qualified RBI auditors, ensuring they receive the highest level of insight and preparation for their IOSA audit. Whether preparing for a traditional audit or their first RBI, PSP subscribers benefit from Continuous Conformance Monitoring (CCM), expert training, real-time audit support, and collaborative Summits. For operators new to IOSA, the PSP offers comprehensive support, including an in-depth review of their manuals and documents against IOSA Standards and Recommended Practices, as well as targeted education to ensure a full understanding of IOSA requirements. Our team works alongside operators to build a solid foundation for success, reducing risk and strengthening compliance. Contact us today to learn how the PROS Support Program can support your airline in achieving IOSA success!

Have you heard about what the PROS Support Program can do for you? Click the link below to watch our PROS Support Program Services video!

As a business aviation professional you already know how many hours your fleet is flying but do you know how you compare to similar operators and the broader industry? With ClearView's interactive benchmarking you can answer those questions as you compare your fleet to similar sized fleets, operators of common aircraft types or company's in the same region to see how your utilization compares to the industry trends. From there you can utilize ClearView's dynamic flight mapping to drill into key industry trends in North America and around the globe. Review top markets to identify the popular routes and aircraft types on those routes. Use our global operations dashboard to stay ahead of industry trends by alerting you of key changes in real time and so much more. ClearView was designed as a global flight data analysis platform to help business aviation operators understand market dynamics, benchmark your fleet against the industry, and ultimately grow market share. Our team is available to support your data analysis needs. Contact our industry experts today!

An IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) Gap Analysis offers several advantages to airlines and aviation organizations. Here’s how you can explain them to a client: 1. Identifying Gaps in Conformance: The IOSA Gap Analysis helps identify discrepancies between the current operations and the standards set by the IOSA. This allows organizations to pinpoint areas needing improvement to meet international safety, security, and quality standards. 2. Enhanced Safety and Operational Efficiency: By addressing the gaps identified during the analysis, organizations can improve their safety practices and operational efficiency. This leads to a safer work environment, reduces the risk of accidents, and enhances overall operational performance. 3. Preparation for Full IOSA Audit: Conducting a gap analysis serves as a preparatory step before a full IOSA audit. It helps organizations understand the audit requirements and ensures they are well-prepared, increasing the likelihood of a successful audit outcome. 4. Cost and Time Efficiency: By identifying and addressing issues before a full audit, organizations can avoid costly non-conformities and the need for corrective actions. This proactive approach can save time and resources in the long run. 5. Strengthening Internal Processes: The analysis provides an opportunity to review and refine internal processes, policies, and procedures. This can lead to more robust operational frameworks and better alignment with industry best practices. 6. Enhanced Credibility and Marketability: Demonstrating a commitment to meeting IOSA standards can enhance an airline's reputation and credibility in the industry. It can also be a competitive advantage, as many industry stakeholders prefer or require IOSA-registered operators. 7. Continuous Improvement: An IOSA Gap Analysis encourages a culture of continuous improvement. By regularly assessing compliance and operational standards, organizations can keep pace with evolving industry standards and regulations. 8. Regulatory Alignment: The analysis ensures alignment with international aviation safety and security regulations, which is crucial for maintaining operating licenses and expanding into new markets. --- In summary, an IOSA Gap Analysis is a valuable tool for aviation organizations to improve safety, compliance, and operational efficiency, ultimately enhancing their reputation and competitive edge in the industry.

In today’s modern world data truly is everywhere. It can be an incredible tool of information in enterprises driven by efficiency and effective decision making. When your analysis is accurate and yields good results you have confidence in your approach, but what happens when your analysis is incorrect? Have you ever asked how you can be wrong when you seemingly did everything correct? One of the key tenants of data analysis is that it can say almost anything, but, with that amazing tool, there comes an immense responsibility for the user to operate with integrity and intelligence. One example we love to use to describe data analysis and reporting is what we call the blue vs green game: If I wanted to prove that blue was better than green and blue even beat green 15 times then I could report that blue defeated green 15 times, making it better. In a world where few have time to read the details, it becomes important to provide context and this is where integrity and intelligence are applied. Many people might read that and assume blue was better than green, but if you actually read the study and realize that blue only defeated green 15 times out of 100 you quickly realize that green is better. Hence the need for integrity in your analysis. Keeping this in mind, let’s evaluate the current state of the business aviation industry. The term we continue to repeat is stabilized cooling. Since our post Covid peaks of 2021 & early 2022 we have seen a consistent but steady decline in activity. In 2019 the industry averaged about 260,000 flights per month in North America, in 2022 we averaged 300,000 flights per month and YTD, in 2024, we’re averaging 284,000 flights per month through November. On one hand we’re down 5.3% from the high’s of 2022 but on the other hand we’re up 9.2% from 2019. Whether you view the industry as up or down primarily depends on how you interpret the initial Covid spikes in activity. Either way, the is no denying that our industry has grown over the last 5 years and the numbers seem to indicate our “stabilized cooling” could be nearing its bottom. Hopefully this means more blue skies and tailwinds for the industry in 2025, but that assessment, and the subsequent results, will heavily depend on which lens you view the industry from; the high points of 2022 or the industry of pre-Covid. We’ll leave that analysis up to you, but, for now, you’ve seen our analysis of the numbers & context and you have the important information to form your own. But if you should need help you know who to call for assistance.

For years we heard that SMS was going to become mandatory, but no one knew when. Well, the time has come. Any operator required to have an SMS under FAA Part 5, has until May 28, 2027, to develop and implement a Safety Management System (SMS) that meets the requirements of 14 CFR Part 5. What is a Safety Management System (SMS)? An SMS is an organization-wide, comprehensive, and preventive approach to ensuring system safety. An SMS includes a safety policy, promotion of a positive safety culture, formal methods for identifying hazards and mitigating risk, and assurance of the overall safety performance of aviation organizations. How does an operator show they are in compliance? Once the operator required to have an SMS under Part 5 has developed and implemented an SMS that meets Part 5 requirements, they will submit a declaration of compliance to the responsible Flight Standards office (FSDO). A declaration of compliance is a legal document that states the person/organization has developed and implemented an SMS that meets the Part 5 requirements. PRISM is here to help. The idea of developing and implementing a Safety Management System can be overwhelming and seem like a daunting task. PRISM provides a variety of support to help make development and implementation of an SMS more manageable. Whether it is a basic question, help with manuals, or more in-depth consulting PRISM can provide support. In addition to the PRISM SMS Software tools that help you manage your SMS, there is a section under Training on the PRISM SMS website that is dedicated to FAA 14 CFR Part 5 SMS Tools and Resources. PRISM also has semi-custom Part 5 compliant SMS and ERP Manuals available for purchase. A comprehensive, online, safety culture survey is available to all PRISM Professional subscribers and is available to others for a nominal fee. Some operators have already implemented an SMS and others are just getting started. No mater the size of the operation (big or small) or where you are in the process PRISM is here to help.

The ARGUS rating system is widely recognized as the premier gauge of operational quality in business aviation. From TripCHEQ to Platinum Elite, it provides charter customers with assurances that the operators they do business with are holding themselves to the highest standards. Shouldn’t the various regulatory requirements, like Part 135, be enough? That’s a fair question, and the answer is that holding a 135 certificate (or international equivalent) is only the beginning. It’s recognition that an operator meets certain minimum standards of safety as determined by their nation’s civil aviation authority. This is only one baseline requirement for a charter provider to be listed in our CHEQ registry: They must have held their certificate for a minimum of one year and operate at least one turbine-powered aircraft. CHEQ analysts also verify that all flights are crewed with two highly experienced and properly qualified pilots, even if the aircraft is approved for single-pilot operations. We also search NTSB and FAA databases for any history of accidents, incidents, or regulatory violations. Only by passing these hurdles will a charter operator be awarded ARGUS Gold status and warrant a green TripCHEQ. A Gold rating is just the first step. If an operator desires to attain the next rating, ARGUS Platinum, they must undergo a thorough assessment using the ARGUS Audit Standard. This is a two-day, onsite event which examines the certificate holder’s safety management system, emergency response planning, operational control, administrative controls, training, and maintenance programs. The ARGUS standard is based on years of accumulated industry best practices and is constantly evolving to incorporate changes in the regulatory and operating environment. ARGUS flight operations and maintenance auditors have decades of experience, and apply their knowledge to helping each Platinum operator maintain the highest standards of safety and quality. Any findings raised during an audit must be corrected to earn the Platinum rating, and all corrective actions go through a demanding acceptance process with a separate, experienced auditor before the audit is closed. Finally, to maintain the Platinum rating, operators must undergo a renewal audit every two years. An ARGUS Platinum rating provides assurance that the operator has met exacting requirements which go well beyond the basic regulatory minimums. It doesn’t end there. The Platinum Elite program recognizes that operators with a consistent history of successful Platinum audits are ready to move up to the next level. The Elite program replaces the biannual audit cycle with continuous monitoring, which consists of periodic reviews performed every six months against selected items from the ARGUS audit standard. This culminates in an onsite biannual review audit, at which point the six-month review cycle begins anew. When a passenger arrives at the FBO to meet their flight, what assurances do they have that the facility is adhering to the highest standards of safety and service quality? As it does for charter providers, the ARGUS Base Operations audit evaluates FBOs against an exacting checklist of industry best practices for aircraft handling, safety programs, security, and customer service. Passengers meeting aircraft from a Platinum-rated operator at ARGUS certified FBOs can rest assured they are protected by an unbroken chain of the industry’s highest standards. Of course, aircraft operators and FBOs are not the only links the chain. Charter brokers in the ARGUS Certified Broker program are subjected to biannual audits of their business practices to ensure compliance with legal requirements and due-diligence processes when arranging charters on the customer’s behalf. ARGUS Certified Brokers have met strict standards to provide assurance that they are protecting their customer’s investment in aircraft charter. From booking the trip, to aircraft preparation, to takeoff, cruise, and landing, charter customers can have the peace of mind that only comes from using ARGUS-certified aircraft operators and brokers.

The 2024 launch of the PROS Support Program (PSP) has reached new heights. IOSA-registered operators are in full swing preparing for either their final “Traditional” IOSA audit or entering the newest IOSA audit, Risk-Based IOSA (RBI). Three of our PRO Elite Subscribers are actively preparing for their first RBI in the coming months. Each subscriber has a team of expert advisors, IOSA and RBI experienced, preparing them for success with their audit. As PSP subscribers actively prepare for the next generation of IOSA, they are also receiving the best in IOSA and RBI training to ensure a better understanding of what RBI audits mean to their organization's safety program. In addition to great training, subscribers benefit from Continuous Conformance Monitoring (CCM) ensuring their manuals and documents are annually up to date and compliant with the latest IOSA standards, real-time audit support, and collaborative Summits, which provide invaluable resources and guidance. For more information on how the PROS Support Program has benefited so many already and how it can benefit your airline, contact our Director of Sales, John Gravage, at john.gravage@pros.aero .

ARGUS International Inc.  hosted   its   second   annual   ARGUS   Connect   event  on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at the Hilton Inverness in Denver, CO. As the name suggests, this  event  is an opportunity to  connect  with our customers and aviation subject matter experts from across the industry. This year’s  Connect  built on our experiences from 2023’s inaugural  event  and delivered an engaging, informative series of panels and breakout groups. The opening panel, “Legal Pitfalls for Ground and Flight Operations,” was led by  ARGUS  President Mike McCready, and featured attorney Kali Hague of Jetlaw and John Langevin of Jet Aviation. They provided an informative take on common legal hazards faced by aircraft operators, maintenance organizations, and FBO’s (Fixed Base Operators). Additionally, they fielded questions on fuel contamination and the adoption of Safety Management Systems by FBO’s and ground handlers. This was followed by a discussion of International Operations and Operational Security, with John Cauthen of MedAire and Adam Hartley of Universal Weather and Aviation. These topics are of particular interest to many of our auditing and consulting clients, as the landscape is constantly shifting and security is becoming an ever greater concern with much of eastern Mediterranean and Southwest Asian airspace in various stages of conflict. The topic of GPS spoofing was particularly informative, as this has become a significant threat in these regions and shows no signs of abating. The morning concluded with a panel discussion of our core service, “Using Your Audits to Drive More Business,”  hosted  by  ARGUS  Vice President of Business Aviation, Ed Wandall. The panel featured James Evans and Ed Fares of Sun Jet Aviation, Jonathan Prohaska of PlaneSense, and Suran Wijayawardana of FlyHouse. They explored the need to adapt to industry changes without reducing safety, in particular ways to mitigate the ongoing pilot shortage in business aviation through  ARGUS ’s new Pilot Gateway training agreement. Our audit services play an important role in this for those operators who choose to align themselves to an industry-recognized standard of excellence, the  ARGUS  Platinum rating. The afternoon began with a panel on FAA Regulations and Relations, with Jetlaw managing partner Kent Jackson and retired FAA Regulatory Specialist Larry Richards of  ARGUS  PRISM consulting. This is a topic of continuing interest to aircraft operators, and they provided an engaging discussion of changes in the regulatory environment, the challenges of starting up a new charter operation, and the effects of FAA reorganization on oversight and approvals. The final discussion panel dealt with Industry Trends and Financials, with Doug Gollan of Private Jet Card Comparisons, Mike Rice of Signature Aviation, and Katya Brozyna of Jeffries Aviation & Aerospace Investment Banking. They led a lively discussion of the current state of the charter market, which included especially interesting takes on current economic trends and how these might affect our client’s business models in the future. The day ended with breakout discussions between conference attendees and  ARGUS  team members. These sessions were particularly valuable, as each group offered their thoughts on our current products and services. Several attendees offered ideas for increasing the visibility of our services throughout the industry in ways would both highlight their achievements and reinforce  ARGUS ’s status as the premier solution for aviation auditing and consulting. Connect  2024 was an engaging and informative  event , with many opportunities for both  ARGUS  staff and our customers to learn from each other. We are already making plans for next year’s  event  and look forward to more opportunities to “ connect ” with our customers.

The airline code share audit program is designed to ensure that airlines involved in code share agreements maintain consistent and high standards of safety, quality, and services. Here's a simple explanation to help a client understand the program. Airline Code Share Audit Program: When airlines enter into code share agreements, they share flight codes and work together to offer services to passengers as if they were one airline. For example, a ticket might show a flight operated by Airline A but marketed by Airline B. This arrangement provides passengers with more flight options, convenient connections, and a seamless travel experience. Why is the Code Share Audit Important? 1. Consistency in Standards: The audit ensures that all airlines involved in a code share agreement adhere to consistent safety, security, and operational standards. This is crucial because passengers expect the same level of service and safety, regardless of which airline operates the flight. 2. Regulatory Compliance: Different countries have different aviation regulations. The audit helps ensure that all participating airlines comply with these regulations, which is essential for maintaining their operating licenses and ensuring passenger safety. 3. Quality Assurance: The audit checks that the quality of services, such as in-flight amenities, customer service, and baggage handling, meets agreed-upon standards. This consistency helps protect the reputation of the airlines involved. 4. Risk Management: By identifying and addressing potential risks, the audit helps prevent incidents that could impact the airlines' operations and safety. This proactive approach protects both the airlines and their passengers. What Does the Audit Involve? The audit typically includes: - Operational Procedures: Reviewing and aligning the operational procedures of the code share partners. - Safety and Security Protocols: Ensuring all partners adhere to stringent safety and security measures. - Training and Staff Competency: Verifying that staff are properly trained and competent in their roles. - Customer Service Standards: Assessing the level of customer service provided, from booking to in-flight experience. - Regulatory Compliance: Checking compliance with international and local aviation regulations. What are the Benefits for Airlines and Passengers? - Airlines: The audit helps maintain a positive reputation, avoids legal and regulatory issues, and builds stronger partnerships. - Passengers: It ensures a safe, consistent, and pleasant travel experience across different airlines. --- In summary, the airline code share audit program is a crucial process that ensures the smooth operation and safety of flights offered under code share agreements, benefiting both airlines and passengers.