Lufthansa Technik, Etihad and EAD Aerospace want to standardise STCs with the IAMA alliance |
| Emilie Drab |
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14 FEB 2019 | 385 words
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Lufthansa Technik and Etihad Airways Engineering want to clarify the STC procedure for cabin modifications. The two partners, along with EAD Aerospace and Envoy Aerospace, have signed a memorandum of understanding to create the IAMA (Independent Aircraft Modifier Alliance). The purpose of this association is to establish common standards for supplemental type certificates related to cabin modifications. It is open to everyone involved in the sector, from OEM to airlines, via lessors and equipment manufacturers. The first meeting is scheduled for the spring.
The idea is for the parties to agree on quality and documentation standards for STCs, guaranteeing customers high quality equipment and rigorous inspections, regardless of the company which carries out the modifications (change of cabin, avionics or connectivity system). These customers would also have access to a secure platform which centralises all the associated documentation. Finally, a worldwide customer support network would be created out of this alliance.
"Our customers need seamless solutions and efficient support during implementation and most importantly 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", summarises Bernhard Randerath, vice-president Design, Engineering and Innovation at Etihad Airways Engineering.
The four partners want to reinforce and clarify the retrofit market. " The retrofit 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. [...]The alliance will foster proportionate and adapted regulations, and jointly develop and provide the optimal tools to its members", explains further Romain Mbwang Seppoh, airworthiness manager at EAD Aerospace.
The four partners cover the whole range of skills in the modification field. Alongside the two major MRO companies Lufthansa Technik and Etihad Airways Engineering, Envoy Aerospace specialises in certifying modifications on aircraft and EAD Aerospace is a connectivity specialist. The French company is known in particular for its SUMS (Satcom Universal Mounting System) radome which optimises the installation of Honeywell's JetWave connectivity antennae which are mounted on the fuselage and which enable aircraft to connect to Immarsat's Global Xpress constellation.
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Emilie Drab
Assistant editor
Civil aerospace, Air transport
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