Baines Simmons wins RAFO consultancy contract
Above:
The first Eurofighter Typhoon for the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) was formally presented in a ceremony held at BAE Systems’ Military Air & Information business in the UK on 15 May 2017.
Copyright Eurofighter Typhoon
The objective of the programme is to improve and safeguard the airworthiness of all RAFO aircraft for years to come.
The contract supports the development of a new Continuing Airworthiness ruleset for the RAFO. The RAFO previously used a military regulatory system based on UK legacy requirements, but this will be updated to ensure that the RAFO operates in line with international modern military airworthiness standards.
The programme is particularly pertinent following the arrival of new fleets of Typhoon and Hawk 200 aircraft in Oman.
The Baines Simmons consultancy and training programme is based on the newly completed European Military Airworthiness Requirements (EMARs), as well as their source European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations. The Baines Simmons team comprises civil and military experience, including ex-UK CAA and MAA industry experts.
When drafting and implementing the new regulatory system, Baines Simmons will use the expertise it has gained by supporting the EDA and the UK MAA, whose systems are based on the proven European civil regulatory model.
Mark Briffa, Group CEO of Air Partner plc, commented: “When we acquired Baines Simmons in 2015, we knew its international role as a trusted advisor to more than 750 aviation organisations and more than 40 aviation authorities would fit well with Air Partner’s international blue chip client base. Since the acquisition, Baines Simmons has secured several new contracts, including a 10-year contract with the Isle of Man, and I am delighted that we are now working with the Royal Air Force of Oman too. We look forward to building what I hope will be the start of a long-term relationship.”
Commenting on the contract win, Bob Simmons, Director at Baines Simmons, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with the RAFO on this contract, which is at the heart of Baines Simmons’ core skillset. Our work for the RAFO will create the blueprint for the most up-to-date defence airworthiness regulatory system in the world.”
Baines Simmons, which was acquired by Air Partner in August 2015, has a long history of working with international military and government organisations, including the UK Military Aviation Authority (MAA), the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Air Partner, which was founded in 1961 and has 20 offices worldwide, has a proud history of working with heads of state and governments, including six of the G7 group of governments.
