Air safety tech gets OK

FAA approves Cairns-developed system

HAWKER Pacific has received Federal Aviation Administration authorisation to install safety technology the company has exclusively developed in the Far North.

The new Auxiliary Aural Alerter System alerts pilots with an aural warning as an engine exceeds its operating limit and is complementary to an engine diagnostic system by Pratt & Whitney Canada.

The FAA approval also extends the company’s exclusive arrangement with P & WC for engine prognostics equipment service and support.

Australia maintenance, repair and operations vice-president Jason Burzacott said Hawker Pacific in Cairns was the only repair organisation in the world outside the P & WC facilities approved to support the business’ diagnostics products.

“Hawker Pacific Cairns has worked closely with P & WC to gain international approvals for retrofitting aircraft with P & WC products, with the ‘on aircraft’ engineering development and trial installations completed in Cairns,” he said.

“During the development process, Hawker Pacific gained expertise in the product resulting in the team travelling internationally to install the P & WC systems on aircraft in countries such as India, Indonesia, Nepal, Japan and China.”

In-country support, accelerated repair times and reduced downtime are quickly making Hawker Pacific stand out in Asia-Pacific.

“Being awarded FAA STC approval is an important step for Hawker Pacific, as it opens up further international opportunities for products and labour to be sold out of a regional Queensland location,” Hawker Pacific avionics manager Rick Webber said.

“It also further cements our valued relationship with Pratt & Whitney Canada.

“While Hawker Pacific in Cairns will manufacture the electrical and structural components for its new Auxiliary Aural Alerter System, it is important to note these components have traditionally been manufactured offshore,” Mr Webber said.