Under the BARS Stage 2 Program, BARS Member Organizations will have better visibility of how Aircraft Operators implement safety procedures and standards.

The BARS Stage 2 Program will offer two auditing registration streams Comprehensive Audits and Core Audits. The Comprehensive Audit stream will provide an enhanced level of recognition and evaluation for Operators. The Core Audit stream will allow Aircraft Operators to remain in the BARS Program at a lower level of commitment. However, BARS Member Organizations will need to advise Aircraft Operators they work with which audit stream you require them to undertake in order to meet your requirements.

BMO benefits include:

• Increased transparency – Aircraft Operators will be assessed on the effectiveness of their implementation of BARS controls as part of Comprehensive Audits.
• Greater reassurance – Annual, rather than biennial (every two years), audits for Gold Operators, which is in line with industry feedback. Renewal Audits for Gold Operators will involve a reduced-load, risk-based Monitoring Audit every other year.
• Protection of Standards – While fixed audit fees are being removed to allow Auditor Companies and Operators to negotiate costs based on the level and audit complexity required, a minimum audit fee has been set to ensure standards are maintained.
• Quicker outcomes – Audit deadline extensions will be limited to a maximum of two every three years to avoid reliance on extensions.

Key BMO actions:

• BMOs need to clearly inform Operators whether they are required to undertake a Comprehensive or Core Audit to begin or continue working with your company.
• Companies preferring BARS Gold or Silver Aircraft Operators should advise them to choose Comprehensive Audits and inform them of any particular audit Operational Categories they must complete.
• If Operators incorrectly undertake a Core Audit, they may incur additional costs to complete a Comprehensive Audit.

Refer to this table which compares the original BARS Audit with the BARS Stage 2 Audit streams.