About Us
Who We Are
At the Business Aviation Safety Consortium (BASC), we help flight departments move beyond box-checking compliance to achieve true operational excellence.
Founded to bridge the gap between rigid oversight models and real-world aviation needs, BASC offers a collaborative, member-driven approach to aviation safety. Our services include independent safety audits and ongoing education programs — all designed to be practical, insightful, and scalable.
We believe that knowledge and collaboration are the keys to continuous improvement. That’s why BASC is more than a certifying body — it’s a community. Our members don’t just meet standards — they help shape them.
Whether you’re building your Safety Management System (SMS) from the ground up or refining a mature operation, BASC gives you the tools, feedback, and support to grow with confidence.
Less bureaucracy. More progress. Safer skies.
Standardization Board
Rick Malczynski
The son of a Chicago Police Officer, Rick grew up in the city and survived the Chicago Public School System. After graduating from Annapolis, completing Naval Flight Training, and being designated a Naval Aviator, he was assigned to a fleet squadron, and served as the unit Legal Officer and then the aircraft maintenance Quality Assurance Officer. Rick soon found himself in Southeast Asia, flying numerous direct combat support and combat missions.
Upon his return stateside, he was assigned as a Naval helicopter flight instructor in Pensacola, Florida. He was quickly selected as a Standardization pilot and ultimately was promoted to model manager of the U.S. Navy TH-57 program. His civilian career started with 5 years at a large 14 CFR Part 91 flight department. He gained significant experience in the S-76, KingAir 200, Citation V, and Lear 45. He was then hired by American Airlines, and after considerable experience on several Boeing aircraft, he was hired into a management position with a New York area corporate flight department. While fulfilling the responsibilities of Safety and Training, Rick oversaw the complete re-write of his flight department’s Operations Manual. He maintained the momentum from the completion of the manual and rallied the department to become the eightieth company worldwide to achieve IS-BAO Stage One Registration.
He found the registration audit quite painful, and committed to producing a solution for operators. This drive ultimately led to him becoming one of the most prolific auditors in the history of the program. He quickly realized the immense value of SMS, compliance, and continuous improvement, without demoralizing the professional, hard charging organizations throughout the process. In 2017, he formed the Business Aviation Safety Consortium (BASC) which focuses on the operator. The Consortium partners with winning flight departments to achieve SMS and operational compliance and excellence, through a progressive and collaborative process, while adhering to the tenants of common sense and reasonableness.
Rick lives in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife of 30+ years, Cathy. All three of their children are serving our country throughout the world, representing the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
