The International Airborne Geophysics Safety Association (IAGSA) is a nonprofit association supported by its members whose mandate is to promote and enhance safety in the airborne geophysics survey industry. With initial backing from some of the leading companies in worldwide geophysics, IAGSA was incorporated in November 1995 and is currently working on developing standards and recommended practices for the industry. Geophysical survey companies that operate aircraft form IAGSA’s core membership, but others such as mining companies that require the results of geophysical surveys and aviation companies that provide geophysical survey flying share a direct interest and responsibility for overall safety of survey flying. The latter groups are actively participating as Associate members of IAGSA.

While the aircraft captain has the final responsibility for the safety of any particular flight, many of the parameters that have a direct bearing on flight safety have been predetermined by client company survey specifications, survey company data collection considerations and aircraft operating company requirements. IAGSA is bringing these different groups together to find common ways to advance safety.