Airbus’s Australian engineering team has been granted a design approval that lets it independently carry out and sign off modifications, repairs and technical data for a range of civil aircraft.
Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) awarded the Brisbane-based operation a 21.J civil design organization approval (DOA), enabling its engineers to approve design activities, structural modifications and repair designs without referring the work elsewhere. The approval spans small general-aviation aircraft, large passenger jets and small and large helicopters.
The DOA covers six domains – structures, mechanical systems, electrical systems, instruments, radio systems and cabin systems. Airbus said the approval also lets it appoint authorized signatories within the scope of its privileges, with CASA providing oversight.
Richard Stocker, CASA national manager airworthiness and engineering at Airbus in Australia said, “The 21.J approval enables the Airbus team in Australia to approve its own aircraft repair and modification designs and appoint authorised persons within the scope of their organisational privileges. CASA will conduct oversight of Australian Airbus operations consistent with our established procedures.”
Jacques du Plessis, head of operations at Airbus in Australia, said, “Our teams are now able to provide end-to-end, locally driven engineering solutions right here in Australia, this translates into faster turn-around times for customers in this region.”
Airbus has a long-established presence in Australia. Its Airbus Australia Pacific business, based at Brisbane Airport, is the prime contractor providing through-life support for the Royal Australian Air Force’s C-130J Hercules transport fleet, and the company has a deep rotorcraft footprint, having assembled the Army’s Tiger armed-reconnaissance helicopters in Brisbane and supported its MRH-90 fleet.
Australia is also a flight-test base for Airbus, which moved flight testing of its solar-powered Zephyr high-altitude platform to Wyndham in Western Australia, chosen for its clear airspace and reliable weather. On the civil side, Airbus recently delivered the first of its H160 helicopters in the country.
