IAMA Releases Rulebook Update to Version 2.0

IAMA Releases Rulebook Update

Version 2.0 includes important new updates to promote efficiency

HAMBURG, Germany, 30^st MAR., 2021 – IAMA, the Independent Aircraft Modifier Alliance, released version 2.0 of its Rulebook this week. The latest edition of the freshly updated resource is available online to alliance member organizations, while airlines and lessors can request access through a free membership. Launched in March 2020, the Rulebook strives to address lessor, operator and owner needs throughout the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) lifecycle. Instructing aircraft modifiers for both commercial and business aviation in best practices for achieving superior modifications through STCs, the Rulebook is an essential industry resource.

“We are working to develop customer-centric standards to encompass the entire STC lifecycle,” said Nicole Noack, managing director of IAMA. “One of our top priorities is to ensure the IAMA Rulebook is always being updated and improved. Engaging with aircraft operators, owners and lessors helps us to understand their pain points around STCs. This allows us to keep advancing, adding to, and refining the rules our modifier members are committed to following. Rulebook 2.0 incorporates new rules which we are confident will continue to support improved efficiency and strengthen STC quality.”

In keeping with its standards-based approach, IAMA Rulebook 2.0 incorporates new rules for two new pain points, while also establishing additional rules for cabin interior retrofits and entry into service programs. The first set of new rules was created to address STC-based modification maintainability. IAMA enlisted the help of honours engineering students from the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences to research the subject. With the support of IATA, DLR Institute of Air Transportation Systems and Tronos Aviation Consulting, the research was used to create procedures that will streamline processes and, in the long run, reduce aircraft downtime. Validating STCs can prove challenging to aircraft transferability. IAMA has implemented new rules designed to ensure all stakeholders are aware of the validation path and timeline in advance, to avoid such delays. With an objective to expand further on this topic, IAMA’s Certification and Authority Affairs working group also continues to pursue ways to simplify aircraft transfers between aviation authority jurisdictions.

“The Rulebook is the backbone of the alliance’s objectives,” observed Noack. “My team and I are proud of the extremely positive reception this resource has received, and we are delighted with the level of airline and lessor engagement. Through transparency, open communication, and continuous improvement—along with our recently launched auditing system—we are establishing standards that support modifiers in their delivery of the highest quality results.”

 

More About the IAMA Rulebook

Driven by the alliance’s Standard working group, the Rulebook focuses on instruction to address airline and lessor concerns. It offers a standards-based process designed to provide consistent, reliable results. The working group follows a continuous improvement process to create an exhaustive guide, covering all aspects of an STC project. Topics ranging from documentation to communication, project management standards, aircraft transferability and maintainability are discussed in great detail.

 

About IAMA

We at IAMA, the Independent Aircraft Modifier Alliance, are advocates and supporters of member companies in the aircraft retrofit modification market. We are educators, identifying and highlighting value of Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) within the aircraft lifecycle. We collaborate to develop standards that streamline communications and documentation within approved STC modification projects. To ensure that effective modernizations meet aircraft operator and owner requirements, we endorse STC-approved solutions. Founded by retrofit market leaders, we believe an independent, transparent market is a strong market that will benefit everyone.

To learn more and join, visit: iamalliance.aero.