Scottsdale, Ariz. – January 7, 2016 – Associated Air Center (AAC), through its in-house Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) delegation, has obtained a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of a Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) System — as part of the requirements for Future Air Navigation System (FANS) — on a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) VIP model aircraft.
The STC was completed at AAC’s FAR-145 FAA Repair Station at Dallas Love Field and delivered to the customer on December 23, 2015. The CPDLC/FANS system was installed and certified during a regularly scheduled aircraft maintenance event.
The project workscope included the installation of a new FANS compliant Flight Management System (FMS), a new FANS compliant Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS), an upgrade to the existing Inmarsat satcom system, a new FANS compliant Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) equipped with a back-up battery, a new VHF communications antenna, a new Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna and a new Inmarsat satcom communications antenna.
“Our in-house, technicians provided all the technical support for mechanical, stress, electrical/avionics and systems engineering and developed the engineering data package to support the installation and integration of this system for this out-of-production, private VIP BBJ aircraft operator,” said James Colleary, President of AAC.
The new STC will provide BBJ customers an FAA approved solution that supports VIP customer missions, including international destinations that require CPDLC/FANS compliance, for better flight planning along heavily congested direct routes and flight levels that help to optimize fuel burn/range for these operators.
In June and July of 2015, AAC’s In-house engineering and ODA team obtained similar STCs for the certification of CPDLC/FANS compliant systems for Boeing 757-200 and 737-Classic aircraft.
Associated Air Center (AAC), StandardAero’s Transport Category VIP completion center in Dallas, Texas, is the global leader in BBJ completions and the most experienced completion company in the industry. Authorized by both Boeing and Airbus, AAC offers full completion capabilities for both narrow body and wide body aircraft, including maintenance, refurbishment, modifications and upgrades. AAC’s vertically-integrated, state-of-the-art facility provides world-class interior design, engineering and completion capabilities, engine and airframe MRO and ODA certification authority. AAC provides the most advanced engineering in the industry along with operational excellence and superior customer service from start to finish, keeping airplane programs on schedule; providing industry-leading experience and warranty support after delivery. Founded in 1948 as Associate Radio, the company has served the VVIP market and global Heads of State for over six decades.
StandardAero is one of the world’s largest independent providers of services including engine and airframe maintenance, repair and overhaul, engine component repair, engineering services, interior completions and paint applications. StandardAero serves a diverse array of customers in business and general aviation, airline, military, helicopter, components, energy and VIP completions markets. The company celebrated its 100th year of industry leadership in 2011. StandardAero is owned by and partnered with Veritas Capital, a leading private equity firm headquartered in New York City. Veritas invests in companies that provide critical products and services to government and commercial customers worldwide including those operating in aerospace & defense, healthcare, technology, national security, communications, energy and education. More information can be found on the company’s web site at www.standardaero.com.