New deal gives S'pore aircraft firms wider US certification

SINGAPORE and the United States have sealed a new expanded deal to make it easier for aviation companies here that modify aircraft, to have their work US-certified as well.
Under the first agreement signed in 2004 between the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the FAA agreed to accept as certified the design and manufacture of standard aircraft equipment in Singapore.

Included were communication systems, cockpit instruments, life jackets and cargo containers. Any replacement or modification of parts was also accepted.

Yesterday, the list was expanded to include modifications made to aircraft interiors, for example, in the passenger cabins and crew rest areas.

Singapore companies that seek US certification can work with the CAAS to first obtain a Singapore certificate. The FAA will rely on findings made by the Singapore authority, the CAAS said in a press statement.

Before this, Singapore companies had to engage the services of US companies, which would then arrange for FAA certification.

The agreement was inked in Montreal, on the sidelines of the 36th session of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

CAAS director-general and chief executive Lim Kim Choon, who inked the document, said: 'This will greatly benefit aerospace companies in both countries as they will be able to access more regulatory resources in a timely and less costly manner.'

The signing was witnessed by Transport Minister Raymond Lim, who is also attending the ICAO proceedings.