Washington DC – May 13, 2026 — The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is proud to announce that Blue Spruce Capital has successfully earned the ACSF Industry Audit Standard Lite (IAS Lite) certification, demonstrating the company’s commitment to safety management and operational excellence.
Developed by ACSF, IAS Lite is a streamlined audit process designed for operators and organizations who may not have the resources of major operations and who can benefit from a practical pathway to strengthen their Safety Management System (SMS) and align with FAA Part 5 compliance standards. The program helps operators build a stronger safety culture while avoiding the complexity often associated with larger audit programs. The best part of the IAS Lite process is that, while it is more streamlined, it still maintains the core requirements needed to help operators achieve safety goals on par with the industry’s highest standards.
By achieving the IAS Lite certification, Blue Spruce Capital has shown its dedication to implementing effective safety practices, continuous improvement, and industry-recognized operational standards.
“Blue Spruce Capital’s completion of the IAS Lite audit reflects a proactive commitment to safety and operational accountability,” said Debi Carpenter, President of the Air Charter Safety Foundation. “IAS Lite was designed for operators like their team, and earning registered status is a meaningful milestone.”
The ACSF IAS Lite program and audit process was jointly created in partnership with industry safety experts. The program focuses on core compliance, global safety standards, and building a strong safety culture through a more efficient audit structure.
“Safety has always been a core part of how we operate and make decisions every day,” said J.R. Mitchell, Director of Aviation at Blue Spruce Capital. “IAS Lite gave us a practical way to strengthen our safety processes and measure ourselves against recognized industry standards without needing the resources of a much larger operation. For our organization, it was the right balance of accountability, structure, and operational value.”
The Air Charter Safety Foundation continues to support operators of all sizes with tools, resources, and programs designed to improve aviation safety throughout the industry.