To assist out Operators through the worldwide challenges that COVID-19 has presented our Industry, the BARS Program has developed the BARS Future Audit Model which includes three approaches to have an audit conducted:

1. Full Onsite Audit
2. Hybrid Audit
3. Remote Audit – with 2 variations:
   1. A Trusted Representative Audit
   2. A Virtual Audit

Full Onsite Audit

Onsite Audit will be conducted when two auditors are able to travel and visit the Operators’ facility. A BARS Audit is held in accordance with the general “Become a BARS Registered Aircraft Operator” Procedures.

Please proceed to this the BARS Aircraft Operator page for more details on how to apply.

Hybrid Audit

Onsite Audit model has a subset classified as Hybrid Option. The Hybrid Audit considers situations where only one BARS Auditor can travel to onsite due to travel restrictions or quarantine obligations. Under the Hybrid Option, the Audit is conducted by the two BARS Auditors, yet the single onsite auditor will hold additional evidence gathering obligations in support of the offsite auditor.

The Audit Company and the Operator must seek BARS Program Office approval for Hybrid Option events.

Remote Audit

a. A Trusted Representative Audit

The Trusted Representative (TR) will be at situations where BARS Auditors are prohibited from travel to onsite location due to travel/border restrictions. Independent technical personnel may be sourced locally to assist in the collection of evidence and conduct of interviews in support of the BARS Auditors working remotely. The TR will be provided with a Task List and Worksheet and will provide the Audit Team with a list of evidence, interviews, record of the visit and a TR report.

Trusted Representative is an independent person who will be registered to the BARS Program and acts as a BARS representative to support the remote Audit Team. The TR can travel to, or be co-located, at the audit venue and Aircraft Operator facility.

Trusted Representatives are volunteers drawn from local retired NAA inspectors, BMO staff in the local area, local airlines safety and quality experienced staff or FSF airline member.

b. A Virtual Audit

The Virtual Audit is available with limitations and listed as an option and is considered as the last resort for an Operator to achieve or maintain BARS Registration. Additional significant works by the Operator will be required to support the solid and robust collection of evidence.

Comprehensive renewals completed with Virtual Audit cannot achieve advancement in the Registration colour designation (Green to Silver or Silver to Gold). Only Silver designation is available for Virtual Audits in the Comprehensive renewal stream. Gold designation will revert to Silver unless TR or Onsite audit is undertaken. Onsite Audit must be undertaken for next BARS Audit Event.  

Stay tuned with updates and any further changes to the Program through our BARS E-Newsletter

If you have any any questions please contact the BARS Program Office directly: BARS@flightsafety.org