A group of significant players in the aviation industry are cooperating to form a new alliance in the field of aircraft modification. As leading companies in the retrofit industry, Etihad Airways Engineering, EAD Aerospace, Lufthansa Technik and Envoy Aerospace have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form the Independent Aircraft Modifier Alliance (IAMA).
IAMA aims to encourage
aircraft owners and operators to modify and modernise their fleets through high
quality equipment and rigorous inspections, irrespective of which IAMA members
provide the engineering services.
Aircraft
modifications, such as the installation of new cabins, connectivity solutions
or avionics systems can be approved and documented through a Supplemental Type
Certificate (STC) offered by providers such as the IAMA members. The alliance
addresses customer concerns with regard to documentation, data availability and
a worldwide customer support network across different regulatory systems with various
national authorities.
The main objectives of the Independent Aircraft Modifier
Alliance are
to
agree to common standards for the documentation and quality of Supplemental
Type Certificates, to establish an open, secure documentation platform for
airline customers and aircraft owners using STCs, and to inform the relevant
public and expert communities about the advantages of STC approved solutions.
Bernhard
Randerath, Vice President Design, Engineering and Innovation of Etihad Airways
Engineering said: “This alliance is a positive step towards addressing the
challenges that customers face with STC solutions today. As the Middle East’s
largest MRO, we use OEM solutions, however, Etihad is renowned for innovation
and applying our own STC modifications. We believe that OEMs will also benefit
from becoming members of IAMA, which is open to all modification providers.
“Our customers
need seamless solutions and efficient support during implementation and most
importantly in service afterwards. STCs are a fast, cost efficient way to
provide modifications, and IAMA is a promising approach to address the critical
points of documentation simplicity and continued after-sales support.”
Thomas Rueckert,
Head of Base Maintenance and Aircraft Modification at Lufthansa Technik, said:
“We enable aircraft operators to decide objectively and independently on the
best possible modification solution for their fleet – regardless of a specific
provider. Safety, flexibility of solutions for implementation of customer
requests, along with speed and efficiency are at the heart of our activities.
“In addition,
value retention and reliable life cycle support are essential factors for
aircraft operators and owners. IAMA jointly develop transparent standards that
will help our customers make the right decisions,” adds Andreas Gherman, Head
of the Design Organisation at Lufthansa Technik.
Patrick Gindre,
Sales Director of EAD Aerospace says: “The aftermarket modifier ecosystem
needed a “home” to discuss our challenges, best practices and to improve our
services by delivering a common message to the market. Together, we have the
objective to shape the future of the STC in the aviation world”.
Romain Mbwang
Seppoh, Head of Airworthiness at EAD Aerospace adds: "The retro fit market
has specific challenges to be handled with customers and operators in terms of
organisation and mandatory exchange of data. IAMA will be a collaborative and
knowledgeable reference and voice to regulators and standardisation committees regarding
how STCs efficiently fulfil these obligations. Being in the heart of the
activity, IAMA tackle those challenges daily. The alliance will foster
proportionate and adapted regulations, and jointly develop and provide the
optimal tools to its members.”
“We are excited to be
a part of IAMA,” said Adrian Honer, partner and ODA Lead Administrator at Envoy
Aerospace, LLC. “The affiliation will provide our members with a
significant voice to resolve issues that affect retrofit certification
approvals. Our involvement in IAMA reflects our commitment to our
customers, present and future, to be a leader in retrofit aircraft
certification quality.”
Marilyn Feigl,
partner and ODA Administrator at Envoy Aerospace adds: “Retrofit
modifications on aircraft have unique challenges. IAMA will offer its
members mentorship and counselling to deal with these challenges, especially
when dealing with regulatory agencies and the industry at large. This
will help raise the certification standards to ensure the highest quality STC
products.”
The launch meeting
of the IAMA is scheduled for spring 2019. The Independent Aircraft Modifier
Alliance is open to all market participants including aircraft manufacturers,
airlines, suppliers and lessors. Founding members of the alliance believe that
a strong and transparent retrofit market will benefit everyone. Members of the
alliance work together to offer a transparent, distinct and independent market
for aircraft retrofits, providing greater choice for operators and added value
for the aviation industry.