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MRO NEWS
MRO NEWS AND UPDATES

EASA STC Approval for Vector
Aerospace ADS-B upgrade
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
has accorded Supplemental Type Certificate
(STC) approval Vector Aerospace’s new
Bombardier Completes First CRJ200 Special Freighter Aircraft Delivery ADS-B solution. The retrofittable ADS-B
Launch operator Gulf & Caribbean Cargo past eight or nine years, a strong indication solution has already received STC approval
has taken delivery of the first Bombardier of the aircraft’s continuing strength, from the national airworthiness authorities
CRJ200 Special Freighter (CRJ200SF) versatility and appeal,” says Speirs. of the USA (FAA), Brazil (ANAC) and Mexico
aircraft. The CRJ100SF, CRJ200SF aircraft will (DGAC).The new ADS-B solution can be
“CRJ100 and 200 jets are the assets be useful for operators who require an installed on Airbus Helicopters AS332,
upon which regional airlines have built their aircraft for longer-range regional services Leonardo Helicopters AW139 and Sikorsky
existence, however they are gradually being that require the speed of a jet but won’t S-76 series of helicopters.
replaced in favour of larger aircraft and support larger narrow-body freighters. This “Receipt of EASA certification approval
are finding homes in secondary markets is especially true for low demand routes. for this ADS-B retrofit upgrade broadens
with modifications such as AEI’s freighter “To date, we have received commitments our ability to offer this unique solution
conversions,” said David Speirs, Vice for 45 aircraft conversions from a variety of to customers across the globe,” said
President, Asset Management, Bombardier operators and we fully expect to convert Elvis Moniz, Vice President, Business
Commercial Aircraft. over 100 aircraft over the life of the program,” Development - Airframe & Avionics
A large 94 in. x 77 in. (238.7 cm x 195.6 said Robert Convey, Vice President, Sales Solutions at Vector Aerospace.
cm) cargo door, has been incorporated and Marketing, Aeronautical Engineers. “This upgrade has generated significant
into the freighter design and it can hold up The CRJ100SF/CRJ200SF jets are customer interest in recent months, and
to 14,840 lbs. (6,731 kg) of payload on the converted from the passenger version we are actively supplying ADS-B kits and
main deck and offer eight 61.5” X 88” pallet of the aircraft by Aeronautical Engineers, installation support to operators globally
positions for containerisation. Inc. (AEI) of Miami, a Bombardier-licensed as the ADS-B regulatory compliance
“The CRJ100 and 200 operator base Third Party Supplemental Type Certificate mandate date draws closer. To date,
has grown by about 120 per cent over the (STC) provider. Vector has installed nearly 500 ADS-B
systems in a variety of aircraft types, and
we are continuing to work on new ways
Jet (BBJ) 777-200 for an undisclosed to offer our customers cost-effective
Middle Eastern client. solutions that are technically sound, well
The work was completed and the documented and well supported.”
aircraft was delivered back to the customer An intuitive, panel-mounted touch screen
in the last week of December, despite the transponder replaces the aircraft’s existing
short turnaround time. transponder and Vector also offers a remotely
“This is a significant milestone for the mounted transceiver with a compact cockpit
large aircraft maintenance team, and we control head, should console or cockpit space
look forward to demonstrating our high- be a challenge, for the ADS-B In/Out retrofit
jet Aviation Maintenance Center quality maintenance services to this new upgrade Installation of this ADS-B retrofit
Performs BBJ-777 Maintenance customer — and all owners and operators can be undertaken easily, with the associated
Jet Aviation’s Basel Maintenance of BBJ-777 aircraft,” said Estelle Thorin, aircraft downtime ranging from one day for
Center and MRO facility has performed Jet Aviation’s director of maintenance for simple configurations to a maximum of two
maintenance work on a Boeing Business large aircraft in Basel. days for more complex work.

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