BAE Systems' Avro RJ modifications EASA approval secures CityJet order
BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has completed the engineering and installation of an ADS-B (Out) modification on two Avro RJ aircraft belonging to two separate operators, leading to the awarding of European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Approval Certificate 10066079 for this major change modification.
Courtesy CityJet
On the back of this approval, CityJet of Ireland, Europe’s biggest Avro RJ operator, has placed an order with BAE Systems for modification kits covering its 13-strong fleet.
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is a surveillance technology in which an aircraft determines its position via satellite navigation and periodically broadcasts it, enabling it to be tracked without the need for any action from the pilot or from Air Traffic Control and providing an enhanced set of aircraft surveillance data to Air Traffic Management.
EASA has mandated that all aircraft weighing above 5,700kg or having a maximum cruise speed greater than 250 knots will need to be ADS-B compliant by June 7, 2020. In the United States the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) has mandated ADS-B for 1 January 2020.
Following the EASA award BAE Systems is now working to ensure all European operators of the BAe 146/Avro RJ as well as those operators outside Europe that fly into European airspace are equipped with the ADS-B modification by the mandated date.
It is also investigating the possibility of obtaining Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) validation of the modification for operators of the aircraft in those countries/jurisdictions.
In addition, under its EASA Part 21G and J approvals, BAE Systems is also able to engineer and arrange the installation of ADS-B upgrades to other aircraft types and is currently evaluating solutions for other aircraft platforms.
The company believes that with its long pedigree, its range of civil and military approvals and experience, its proven integration capabilities coupled with an innovative approach and strong supply chain management to obtain best pricing, it offers a compelling vendor experience for a safety-related system modification such as ADS-B.
Most of the upgrades will be carried out whilst aircraft are in for maintenance and the installation will be carried out either by the operators themselves or their designated Maintenance Repair Organisation (MRO). BAE Systems will supply the approved information, the Service Bulletin and the modification kit. Kit deliveries will be planned in line with the aircraft’s maintenance/modification schedule.
The BAE Systems Regional Aircraft team will be present at the forthcoming European Regions Airlines General Assembly in Edinburgh (9-11 October) and MRO Europe in Amsterdam (16-18 October) to meet with potential customers.
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