Avionic safety in a turbulent world

Recent aviation disasters have highlighted the disastrous effects of when aviation can go wrong, despite the fact that globally, flying is still one of the safest modes of travel. A 2024 report by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) showed a significant decrease in accident and fatality rates compared to previous years, with just 17 deaths per billion passengers in 2023. Which is promising, given we are flying more than ever, with global passenger rates having risen to 4.2 billion that same year.

A lot of work goes into aircraft safety, such as ensuring the equipment works as it should. Aircraft have thousands of electronic components, many of which were originally designed and produced for other markets, meaning the industry needs to have its own stringent processes for ensuring parts are safe and reliable.

The IEC technical committee 107 develops international standards specifically for and by experts in the avionics industry to ensure aviation electronics are safe, reliable and performant. These include IEC 62239-1 for the preparation and maintenance of an electronic components management plan (ECMP), which is the reference for the IECQ Avionics - Aerospace Defense and High Performance IECQ ADHP scheme..

IECQ is the IEC Quality Assessment System for Electronic Components. They offer an international, third-party testing and certification system that covers the supply of electronic components, assemblies and associated materials and processes - including those for aviation - based on IEC International Standards.

Their ADHP scheme evaluates the technical processes of equipment manufacturers and their related supply chains that are supplying to civil aerospace, defense, and other high-performance industries. These processes are evaluated for compliance with declared control plans that are prepared in accordance with standards such as IEC 62239-1, IEC TS 62239-2 for components off the shelf (COTS) assemblies, IEC TS 62647-1 for lead-free controls, amongst others.

In short, the scheme adds an added layer of confidence in the equipment and components that they are functioning correctly.

IECQ also runs the Avionics Users Forum, known as the IECQ Hub, enabling those in the avionics industry to discuss specific technical issues, industry standards and auditing programmes. The idea is to share expertise, market intelligence and best practices to optimize supply chain excellence and mitigate risk.

To learn more about how it works and how IEC standards and IECQ services are contributing to the safety of the aviation sector, the IEC Academy is offering a free webinar.

Held on 28 January 2025 from 12.00-13.00 UTC, the public webinar will feature standards and avionics experts giving an overview of the avionics industry context and the role of IEC standards for Electronic Components Management Plans (ECMPs), the benefits and current usage of ECMP services including regulatory compliance, the IECQ ADHP scheme and what's expected in the future for the industry, such as efforts to be more sustainable.

Speakers include avionics expert and TC 107 Secretary Josephine Vann, Executive Secretary of IECQ Chris Agius and Business Manager IECQ Steve Allan.

Register here.

Learn more about IEC Academy's free public webinars.

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