IAMA's 2021 in review and 2022 outlook

2021 year in review, vision and 2022 year ahead

Chaired by Marc Pinault and led by Nicole Noack, IAMA, the Independent Aircraft Modifier Alliance thrived while navigating harsh conditions caused by the global pandemic. Since its establishment at the beginning of 2019, the dedication of the alliance and its’ members has produced many accomplishments. Here is a brief rundown of 2021 and an overview of the alliance’s objectives for 2022.

By the end of January 2021, IAMA had weathered its first year as a legal not-for-profit entity, and actively pursued the goal of establishing and launching its Audit Program. The recent announcement of its partnership with the renowned organization, Quali-audit, saw IAMA achieve the first part of its goal, with audits to begin in the first quarter of 2022.

As mid-year approached, the alliance had released Version 2.0 of the IAMA Rulebook. Version 2.1 of this cornerstone document followed Q3. Developed by the alliance’s experts, it is rapidly becoming an essential tool for the aviation industry and forms the basis of the IAMA Standard. Additionally, in Q2, advocacy and support programs expanded to include business aviation. And the organization continued to strengthen relationships with IATA and the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA).

The alliance’s working groups had a busy and effective year. They were responsible for developing high-quality content throughout the year, publishing nine new documents, including white papers, position papers and guidelines, growing the organization’s resource library to more than 20 documents. IAMA further extended its outreach to still more of the aviation ecosystem through engagement with students from the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. Their study and report on Supplemental Type Certificate maintainability formed the basis of one of the alliance’s new white papers.

With the launch of its RFP service in Q3, IAMA made it easier for airlines to find a provider who upholds the IAMA Standard to modify their aircraft. The alliance also grew throughout the year, welcoming Collins Aerospace, IcelandAir, Qantas, Atlantic Aviation Group and Goshawk in 2021. And recognizing the aviation industry’s ongoing need to build relationships and meet challenges head-on, the alliance’s popular IVTT (IAMA Virtual Think Tanks) also continued to engage manufacturers, owners, modifiers, airlines and lessors. Towards the end of the year, in a bid to add diversity to the alliance’s board, a new executive board seat was approved, which will be held by Fokker Services.

2021 was a successful year for IAMA, advancing its mission to work together for a transparent, distinct and independent aircraft retrofit market, offering more choice for operators and added value to the aviation industry as a whole.

 

2022 Outlook: The year of the IAMA Rulebook and Endorsed STCs

Thanks to its members’ support and working group participants, IAMA will continue to forge ahead with a broad range of activities to further advocacy and build the organization. The alliance’s vision encompasses ensuring the secure, predictable access to OEM intellectual property; recognition and acceptance of IAMA STCs by global aviation authorities, a recognized IAMA Standard and, being the home and single voice of the STC.

2022 is shaping up to be another exciting year with the first audits against the IAMA Rulebook. Based on the Q1 audits of Full and Basic members, the first officially IAMA-endorsed modifications achieved with STCs will be available to the aviation market. Thereafter, members will be able to endorse STCs to be verified by a renewal audit. A feedback mechanism will help ensure Airlines and lessors see added value as past STC modification pain points are solved.

Its working groups, the heard of the alliance, have ambitious plans for the coming year.

Standard working group

Guided by Romain Mbwang Seppoh, this group will have its hands full with the auditing procedure and implementing initial feedback. Their focus for 2022 is to continue to improve the IAMA Rulebook with a release of Version 3.0. Another key initiative is to address airline challenges relating to continued airworthiness. This project will look at an often-raised topic, Instructions for Continued Airworthiness and Supplements, which are hard for airlines to handle.

Community and Information Campaign working group

Steered by Thomas Frercksen, the focus for 2022 is on creating a lessor-friendly modification. Such modifications would include the Right to Use (RTU) documentation, de-modification package at the time of installation, an EASA/FAA validation and IAMA support when surrendered. On top of this, they will continue their efforts to raise awareness on after-sales challenges and the benefits of tackling this issue upfront.

IP & OEM Affairs working group

Led by Jeff Behlendorf, this group will continue to focus on the demanding and frequently delicate topic of data sharing between aircraft and component OEMs and integrators.This work will help shed light on the links between modification purchase contracts, warranty and access to engineering data.

Certification & Authority Affairs working group

Headed by Dilek Senay Yazici, work will continue on the transferability of STCs between authorities, including an ongoing review of the validation improvement roadmap. The goal is to provide IAMA’s recommendations to the various aviation authorities.