Air Charter Safety Foundation

What Air Charter Safety Foundation does

Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2008 and headquartered in Washington, DC, dedicated to advancing aviation safety standards for business, charter, fractional ownership, and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operators. ACSF operates as a membership-based organization with 360+ member companies including Part 135 and Part 91 certificate holders, aircraft OEMs, FBOs, charter brokers, and individual aviation safety professionals.

The foundation's product portfolio comprises interconnected safety programs and tools: the ACSF SMS Tool for Safety Management System implementation aligned with FAA Part 5 and ICAO Annex 19; the Industry Audit Standard (IAS) and IAS Lite as third-party audit validation pathways; the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), a voluntary non-punitive safety reporting system used by nearly 200 Part 91/135 organizations; Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) for trend and deviation analysis; and the Member Assistance Program (MAP) for consultative SMS coaching. Recent additions include the Aviation Safety ROI Calculator (AvSFTY-ROI) launched April 2026, the Serious About Safety podcast launched May 2026, an Emergency Response Plan template, an Illegal Charter Reporting Hotline, and the Ground Operations Working Group formed in early 2026.

ACSF generates revenue through annual membership dues, IAS Lite registration and audit fees, Safety Symposium registration and sponsorship, and platinum-level corporate sponsorships from Gulfstream, CAE, Wheels Up, Flexjet, and QuickBase. Programs are distributed through direct membership access via a Quickbase-powered online portal, an annual Safety Symposium hosted at venues such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, webinars, content marketing, and industry association partnerships with NBAA, NATA, ARGUS, Flight Safety Foundation, Wyvern, and Vertical Aviation International. The organization is led by President Debi Carpenter and Director of Operations Larry Soles, with governance provided by a Board of Governors and Executive Committee.

Name

Air Charter Safety Foundation

Legal name

Air Charter Safety Foundation

Website

https://acsf.aero

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Air Charter Safety Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2008 that provides safety management tools, third-party audit standards, voluntary reporting programs, and training to business, charter, fractional, and Advanced Air Mobility aviation operators through a 360+ member organization.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Primary revenue stream from membership fees. ACSF membership provides access to safety programs and tools, with some at no cost and several at reduced rates for members.
2. IAS Lite Registration Fees: Fees for IAS Lite certification and audit processes for operators seeking Part 5 compliance validation.
3. Training and Event Revenue: Annual Safety Symposium generates revenue through registration and sponsorship opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ACSF provides aviation safety programs, tools, and resources to business, charter, fractional ownership, and Advanced Air Mobility operators through a membership-based nonprofit model. Core offerings include the SMS Tool, Industry Audit Standard (IAS), IAS Lite, ASAP voluntary reporting, Flight Data Monitoring, and the Member Assistance Program, complemented by an annual Safety Symposium and supporting tools such as the Aviation Safety ROI Calculator.

Product overview

The Air Charter Safety Foundation offers a platform of interconnected safety programs and tools for the business and general aviation industry. The core portfolio includes the ACSF SMS Tool (Safety Management System), the Industry Audit Standard (IAS) and IAS Lite for third-party validation, the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) for confidential reporting, and Flight Data Monitoring (FDM). These are complemented by the Member Assistance Program (MAP) for consultative coaching, an annual Safety Symposium for education and collaboration, an Aviation Safety ROI Calculator for demonstrating business value, an Emergency Response Plan Template, a Ground Operations Working Group, an Illegal Charter Reporting Hotline, and the Serious About Safety Podcast. The programs work together to support operators from initial safety implementation through ongoing compliance and continuous improvement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ACSF SMS Tool A comprehensive Safety Management System tool designed for flight departments, FBOs, and MROs. Supports alignment with FAA Part 5 and ICAO Annex 19 requirements, enabling operators to implement systematic safety management practices.
• Industry Audit Standard (IAS) A detailed gap analysis of an operator's management practices serving as a third-party audit standard for Part 135 and 91K operators. Provides independent validation of an operator's SMS against industry best practices.
• Industry Audit Standard Lite (IAS Lite) A streamlined audit process designed for smaller operators who may not have the resources of major operations. Provides a practical pathway to strengthen Safety Management Systems and align with FAA Part 5 compliance standards in a more efficient format.
• Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) A voluntary reporting program that promotes confidential reporting and data-based analysis of safety events. Supports non-punitive reporting and helps organizations identify systemic issues through aggregated case studies.
• Flight Data Monitoring (FDM)

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 200 Part 91/135 organizations rely on ASAP reporting program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for the 2026 ACSF Safety Symposium held at Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach, Florida campus. Partnership supports immersive, scenario-based learning environment.
• Industry Association PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpanding partnerships across aviation industry including operators, regulators, service providers, manufacturers, and associations working toward common safety goals.
• ARGUScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner providing aviation safety information and resources. Listed as industry partner on ACSF website.
• National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor industry association partner collaborating on collective safety approaches, best practices, and safety culture initiatives.
• Flight Safety Foundation (FSF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner organization dedicated to aviation safety, listed as industry partner on ACSF website.
• Vertical Aviation International (VAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner organization, listed as industry partner on ACSF website.
• WyverncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviation safety consulting firm listed as industry partner on ACSF website.
• NATAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Air Transportation Association collaboration on ground safety, FBO best practices, and collective safety approaches.
• MedAireminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedAire provides 20% discount on first-year retail price of MedAire360 Assistance Membership for ACSF members. Partnership offers aviation medical and security assistance services to members.
• Go RentalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGo Rentals provides vehicle rental discounts for ACSF members including Toyota Corolla at $64.99/day, Camry at $74.99/day, and Rav4 at $92.99/day with additional 20% discount.
• Ground Operations Working GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking group formed in early 2026 comprising senior operations and safety leaders including participation from three of the largest charter and fractional operators, FBO companies, insurance brokers, repair stations, and corporate flight departments. Focuses on ground incident data sharing and recommendations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vertical Aviation International (VAI): Industry association for the helicopter and vertical lift aviation community. VAI is a strategic partner of ACSF and serves an adjacent but related aviation safety audience (helicopter operators), making it comparable in structure and mission.
• National Business Aviation Association (NBAA): Leading trade association for business aviation, serving operators, OEMs, and service providers. NBAA is a strategic partner of ACSF and shares overlapping membership in business aviation safety, though NBAA's scope is broader (advocacy, events, training).
• ARGUS International: Commercial aviation services company providing audit, rating, and trip planning services to charter and Part 135 operators. ARGUS competes directly with ACSF's IAS in the audit/rating market but operates as a for-profit with broader commercial services.
• Flight Safety Foundation: Nonprofit organization dedicated to aviation safety through research, advocacy, and programs including BARS. Like ACSF, it's a nonprofit safety-focused organization but operates globally with broader industry coverage including commercial airlines, not just business aviation.
• Helicopter Association International (HAI): Trade association for the international helicopter industry, serving operators, manufacturers, and service providers. HAI addresses safety and operational standards for vertical lift aviation—an adjacent segment to ACSF's charter/business aviation focus with comparable association structure.
• International Business Aviation Council (IBAC): International nonprofit organization representing business aviation globally and managing the IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations) audit program. IBAC's IS-BAO is a competing audit standard to ACSF's IAS, making it a direct comparable in audit offerings.
• Wyvern: Aviation safety consulting and auditing firm providing safety ratings, consulting, and operator vetting. Wyvern competes with ACSF's IAS for operator audits and serves a similar charter/business aviation audience, but as a commercial entity.
• National Air Transportation Association (NATA): Trade association for aviation businesses including FBOs, charter operators, and MROs. NATA partners with ACSF on ground safety initiatives and serves an overlapping audience of charter and Part 135 operators, making it a comparable industry body.

Others

• Skybrary: Aviation safety knowledge management platform operated by EUROCONTROL and other partners. Skybrary provides safety resources and best practices and is referenced on ACSF's website as a complementary safety information resource for aviation professionals.
• Aviation Safety Network: Aviation accident and safety data provider hosted by Flight Safety Foundation. While ACSF provides proactive safety programs, ASN provides reactive accident/incident data—a complementary safety information resource that is referenced on ACSF's own website.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/acsf_aero
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCD89RAjQcaYuyPjLlHHRmoA
• Facebookfacebook.com/Air-Charter-Safety-Foundation-100054268730665
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/air-charter-safety-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/acsf_aero

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Air Charter Safety Foundation