A milestone was marked on 16 February 2016 with the conclusion of the Singapore and US Maintenance Implementation Procedures Agreement (MIPA). The MIPA, signed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), was concluded under the broader authority of the US-Singapore Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (2004).
Two agreements have been concluded under the broader BASA. The first was the Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness Agreement (IPAA). The IPAA provided for reciprocal acceptance of the airworthiness of civil aeronautical products. It was enhanced in September 2007 to include US acceptance of Singaporean Supplemental Type Certificates for interior modifications on transport category airplanes.
The MIPA is the second agreement falling within the context of the BASA – but the first to relate to aviation safety. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta signed the document on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow. He highlighted the importance of the MIPA by stating:
“This landmark agreement with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore will strengthen aviation safety while reducing the cost of inspections for aircraft repair work”
It is expected to save time, reduce regulatory burdens and eliminate repeated inspections and evaluations in both countries. The agreement also reflects the desire of the US and Singapore to begin a trend towards interchanging civil aeronautical products.
Under the Agreement, the Governments of the US and Singapore have accepted each other’s safety regulatory requirements and have recognised procedures for the approval and monitoring of aircraft maintenance organisations. For example, Art 3(B) of the MIPA states that the civil aviation authorities shall execute written Implementation Procedures and the execution of such Procedures are outlined in Art 3(C). In this respect, the Agreement builds on the practical and economic benefits of the IPAA. With the MIPA as a starting point, the desire of the Governments of the US and Singapore is to eventually replace the agreement between them relating to the mutual acceptance of airworthiness certifications, effected by an exchange of notes at Singapore on 21 August 1981.
This Agreement, being the first of its kind, is likely to set a precedent for other aviation safety agreements between the FAA and its global partners. It does not only increase the awareness of aviation safety on a global scale; but it also sets environmental objectives and promotes the ‘global leadership’ initiative of the FAA. n the words of FAA Administrator Mr Huerta,
“The United States looks forward to [its] continued collaboration with ASEAN Member States”.
The main features of the MIPA and the importance of its impact on aviation safety, economic efficiency and enhancement of international relations is what marks 16 February 2016, as a landmark day for international aviation relations. The MIPA is a big step forward for bilateral relations between the US and Singapore.
Author: Mikayla Brier-Mills