Australia's General Aviation parts manufacturing industry now has easier access to the lucrative United States market.
This follows the recent signing in Washington of amendments to the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement between Australia and the US. The amendments mean Australian Parts Manufacturing Approvals for many GA aeroplanes are now recognised in the US, which simplifies the process for the export of these aviation parts to the US and reduces the costs involved.
The new agreement means Australian GA parts manufacturers will no longer have to obtain an approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to sell their parts in the US. The new agreement applies to replacement or modified parts for US and Australian certified aircraft.
At this stage only the manufacturers of GA aeroplane parts can take advantage of the easy access to the US market. However, work is underway to extend the agreement to rotorcraft and air transport components.
The FAA carried out an extensive review of the Australian Parts Manufacturing Approvals process run by CASA before agreeing to amend the Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness to the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement. This included looking at Australia’s aviation safety legislation, policies and procedures, as well as the oversight of parts design.
The six-cylinder Jabiru 3300cc engine. (Jabiru)
