In business aviation, safety is the standard that defines operational excellence. Yet, for many smaller operators, meeting the same safety benchmarks as larger organizations can feel like an uphill climb. Large flight departments often have entire teams or managers dedicated solely to safety programs, while smaller operators may be running lean, with a smaller team or even one individual juggling various tasks, operations, and safety oversight.
Recognizing these challenges, the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) developed its Member Assistance Program (MAP) to provide consultative support for operators looking to strengthen their safety practices.
A Consultative Roadmap to Safety
MAP is designed to help operators take a clear look at their safety programs. Through external evaluation and coaching, it provides an objective view of what is working well and what areas need attention. The intent is not to audit, but to guide. Operators come away with a practical roadmap for building or improving their Safety Management System (SMS) in line with FAA requirements.
For smaller operators, this can help alleviate the resource gap that often exists when compared to larger departments. Instead of navigating complex requirements on their own, they gain insight from experienced safety professionals who can translate regulatory language into achievable steps.
For smaller operators without the luxury of a dedicated safety department, MAP ensures they’re not navigating this complex process alone.
Preparing for FAA Part 5 Compliance
By May 28, 2027, Part 135 and Part 91.147 operators will be required to have a fully functional SMS under FAA Part 5. For many small and mid-size operators, this mandate may feel daunting. Programs like MAP can ease that transition by identifying gaps early and helping operators develop plans to address them in a manageable way.
Even more importantly, MAP prepares companies to take the next step: ACSF’s Industry Audit Standard Lite (IAS Lite).
The Role of IAS Lite
The Industry Audit Standard (IAS) was created to provide independent validation of an operator’s SMS. Third-party audits play an important role in confirming that safety processes are effective, and they offer an added level of assurance to regulators, clients, and insurers.
For smaller operators, ACSF developed IAS Lite, a streamlined version of the Industry Audit Standard that is more practical for organizations with limited staff, time or resources. IAS Lite focuses on the same core elements of SMS but delivers them in a streamlined format.
Although IAS Lite is a scaled version of the full Industry Audit Standard, it still provides a thorough framework for aligning with ICAO Annex 19 and FAA Part 5 requirements. By the conclusion of an IAS Lite audit, operators gain both guidance and confirmation that their SMS meets — and in many cases exceeds — the standards set forth in Part 5. Because the program is built on internationally recognized practices, much of its content also supports compliance with ICAO and other national aviation authorities.
When used together, MAP and IAS Lite provide a pathway that begins with collaborative coaching and leads to independent validation. This combination allows operators not only to build their SMS but also to demonstrate that it meets industry and regulatory expectations.
The MAP and IAS Lite Framework at a Glance
Understanding the structure and purpose of the MAP Guidance and IAS Lite process makes preparation far more achievable. Drawing from industry guidance, here’s what you can expect:
The Pre-Audit Checklist: A comprehensive guide is provided. This thorough document helps to discover the components the operator already has a handle on and the gaps that need to be filled.
MAP Guidance: By adding an expert safety coach through the MAP program from the very beginning, the entire compliance process becomes easier to understand and execute. More importantly, the MAP coach brings the depth of expertise and perspective that larger organizations often enjoy through dedicated safety departments.
This outside expert is not only there to guide, but also to challenge. They can spot overlooked gaps, question assumptions, and highlight areas where processes may fall short of regulatory or best-practice expectations. In doing so, they help ensure that an operator’s Safety Management System is more than just a set of documents — it becomes a living framework that improves decision-making, hazard identification, reporting culture, and risk management.
Having a safety expert on your team means you gain access to proven strategies, practical knowledge, and lessons learned across the industry. For smaller operators in particular, this support strengthens both the SMS itself and the organization’s overall safety culture, creating a system that is not only compliant but resilient and continuously improving.
Final Preparation and The Audit: The amount of time required to prepare for an IAS Lite audit can vary, depending on the operator’s size, resources, and how developed their existing safety processes are. Some organizations may need only minor adjustments before they are ready, while others may require more in-depth work to close identified gaps. Throughout the process, the MAP coach and ACSF framework provide structured guidance to ensure progress stays on track.
Submitting the Declaration: At the conclusion of the audit, operators will be positioned to confidently submit their declaration of compliance, with the assurance that their SMS meets — and in many cases exceeds — the requirements of Part 5.
Why This Matters
Smaller operators face unique challenges in implementing safety systems, but the requirements are universal. Having structured guidance and clear benchmarks can make the process more approachable. MAP and IAS Lite are two tools developed with this reality in mind — one to provide direction, the other to confirm progress.
As the 2027 compliance date approaches, programs like these can help operators of every size meet the same standard: a culture of safety that protects crews, passengers, and aircraft.
