Argus International is introducing a corporate flight department certification program and enhancements to its TraqPak FBO flight handling software and Prism Safety Management System (SMS) program. This is in addition to other significant developments the Cincinnati-based data and auditing services provider is announcing at this year’s NBAA show. “This has been, without a doubt our busiest year,” said Argus founder and CEO Joe Moeggenberg, noting that among other highlights, the 21-year-old company performed its 3,000th audit in 2016.
The new Argus Certified Flight Department program, offered under the firm’s Pros subsidiary, is for corporate operators “that really want to take safety up a notch,” said Moeggenberg. The Cincinnati-based firm has long conducted safety audits for corporate clients, but “decided to come up with a program more in depth than what we were doing,” he said, adding, “It’s something the industry sorely needs.” He cited a growing demand “for private operators around the world to verify that their flight operations are being managed according to globally recognized industry best practices,” among evolving requirements that the new certification program answers.
An Argus Certified Corporate Flight Department must meet standards including: having current and applicable flight department manuals detailing processes and procedures; a fully implemented SMS appropriate to their operation and consistent with ICAO and leading regulatory authorities’ regulations and/or guidelines; a program of ongoing motion-based simulator training for flight crew members; and clearly documented responsibilities, reporting structure and accountability.
To simplify the auditing process, a dedicated team handles pre-audit planning and documentation requirements, and audits can be performed to a variety of industry standards, including IS-BAO, IS-BAH (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations/Handling), HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) and IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit), as well as customized certification programs.
For its Prism SMS software and Armor SMS support service, Argus is unveiling here a data-visualization tool, called Safety Intelligence, which converts raw data into graphs and charts that depict key performance indicators of flight operations. Safety Intelligence enables safety managers to identify risk trends in their organizations via a real-time interface, according to Argus. IS-BAO Stage 2 and 3 and Argus Platinum certifications require computing and analyzing trend data in relation to safety targets, noted Kathleen Tyler, Argus vice-president of sales, and the new tool provides that analysis capability. Safety Intelligence can be used in fixed-wing, helicopter and unmanned aircraft operations.
Argus is also introducing the integration of its TraqPak FBO software with the FlightBridge ground-handling program. The integration allows TraqPak FBO subscribers to view trip and reservation details of aircraft entered in the FlightBridge system, such as hotel, rental car and limo, fueling arrangements and catering, through the TraqPak portal. Having all the information on one screen “makes it easier to serve customers,” said Tyler. The upgrade is free to current TraqPak FBO subscribers.
Here at the show, Argus has demo stations at its display (Booth 3435) where attendees can interact with the TraqPak FBO-FlightBridge integration and the new Safety Intelligence feature, and Argus auditors on hand can discuss certification issues and services.
