[Peetwo]

Update to previous good news post (above) -

Quote from AMROBA newsletter:

"...Many thanks should be given to Mr Myles Tomkins, CEO of Airwork Helicopters, Caboolture, Qld who’s STC was used as the trial STC during negotiations with the FAA. Some product certification processes not done by CASA had to be processed by the FAA to obtain FAA approval..."    

The knock on effect as reported in Oz Aviation :

Airwork Helicopters obtains FAA supplemental type certificate for composite tail rotor blades
March 24, 2017 by australianaviation.com.au Airwork Helicopters chief executive Myles Tomkins and the CASA approved advanced composite Bell 206 tail rotor blades. (Airwork Helicopters)

Composite tail rotor blades made by Caboolture’s Airwork Helicopters has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Airwork is the first company to have received an FAA STC.

The Kevlar and carbon fibre rotor blades for the Bell 206 series of helicopters received the FAA’s approval on March 22 2017.

Airwork founder and chief executive Myles Tomkins has said previously the composite tail rotor blades were quieter, had twice the life of the standard Bell 206 tail rotor blades and had a 30 per cent cost advantage.

They also offered a higher margin of safety due to their increased strength and higher thrust for an equivalent power setting.

In May 2015, Airwork obtained a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) and Australian Parts Manufacturing Approval (APMA) from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to manufacture the composite tail rotor blades, following four years of development.

MTF...P2  


Ps I note that our miniscule for NFI is now trying to jump on the coattails of a very good news story for industry:

Australia gains easier access to US aviation market
Media Release
DC068/2017
24 March 2017


Australia’s aviation industry now has easier and cheaper access to the lucrative United States aviation market.

This follows the signing of amendments to the bilateral aviation agreement between Australia and the United States.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the amendments would be a significant benefit to Australian aviation parts and products designers and manufacturers.

Mr Chester said the changes would also benefit Australian companies and individuals who export aircraft and aircraft products to the United States.

“There are more than 40 Australian aviation design organisations and more than 80 aviation production organisations that will have lower costs and less red tape when exporting to the US market,” Mr Chester said.

“A range of Australian design and manufacturing approvals will now be accepted in the US without the need for additional and sometimes costly work.

“People and organisations wanting to sell their aircraft into the US should have fewer regulatory hurdles to contend with.

“These amendments save money and streamline regulatory requirements without in any way compromising safety standards.

“I know that many large and small aviation organisations have been eagerly awaiting these changes so they can make greater inroads into the huge US aviation market.”

The amendments have been made to the Implementation Procedures on Airworthiness made under the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement between Australian and the United States.

 
Bet he didn't have a clue about this historical good news development before yesterday, yet here he is trying to take some credit - despicable really:

Pps Passing strange 6D mentions this in regards to the dreaded "A" word (aviation), yet he is still not trying to garner favour for his recently released legislative instrument SOE to the CASA Board - see 6D's attempt at humouring the IOS.