Company Can Act On Behalf Of FAA On Design Issues
Gulfstream Aerospace recently
received an expansion of its Organization Designation Authorization
(ODA) to include final-phase manufacturing and service-center work
at its headquarters in Savannah, Georgia as well as its facilities
in Appleton, WI.; Brunswick, GA.; Dallas, TX; and Long Beach,
CA.
Gulfstream received ODA authorization for Savannah initial-phase
design, manufacturing and airworthiness in March 2008. Gulfstream
was the first aircraft manufacturer to achieve that authorization
level.
The FAA started the ODA initiative to more effectively manage
critical resources in response to the growing needs of the aviation
industry. It also allows the FAA to concentrate its resources on
the most safety-critical matters. The designation allows Gulfstream
to act on behalf of the FAA to examine Gulfstream aircraft designs,
production quality, parts approvals, repairs/alterations and
airworthiness.
“We are pleased that our positive relationship with the
Federal Aviation Administration continues to grow,” said Pres
Henne, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test,
Gulfstream. “This designation clearly indicates the
FAA’s trust in our internal procedures. We take this
responsibility very seriously.”
The Gulfstream ODA organization, under the direction of Bill
Whitton, consists of approximately 25 full-time employees as well
as more than 200 engineering personnel and inspectors with the
authority to approve new Type Certification (TC) designs;
Supplemental Type Certification (STC) designs; Parts Manufacturer
Approval (PMA); Production Certification (PC); or Major Repair and
Alterations (MRA) and airworthiness for Gulfstream aircraft. The
STC, MRA and airworthiness authorities also include other
manufacturers’ aircraft.
“We have enjoyed a successful certification process with
our Final Phase Designated Alteration Stations and Organization
Designated Airworthiness Representatives,” said Dennis
Stuligross, senior vice president, Operations, Gulfstream.
“Now, we look forward to these activities being managed under
our ODA.”
Gulfstream has worked progressively closer with the FAA on
certifications since 2000, when the organizations completed a
Partnership for Safety Plan that identifies the operating norms and
key FAA and Gulfstream roles and responsibilities in the aircraft
certification process.