STC Condition Of Japanese Acceptance Of Aircraft

It's been a long time coming... but Wednesday, Boeing announced the planemaker completed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification requirements for Japan's first KC-767 Tanker, earning the agency's stamp of approval in the form of a Supplemental Type Certificate.

"The Japan Air Self-Defense Force asked us to complete passenger and main deck cargo certifications beyond what is normally performed on military aircraft, and we have received our FAA STC for those capabilities," said George Hildebrand, Boeing KC-767 Japan program manager. "Boeing is ready to deliver the first tankers in Japan's history and the most advanced tanker in the world today."

As ANN reported, Boeing had planned to have the tanker certified by February 2007, in time for the first scheduled delivery of a KC-767 to Japan. However, that certification was reportedly delayed due to a minor problem with an air circulation distribution valve, which regulates air flow and pressurization in the passenger cabin section of the aircraft.

The FAA previously certified the KC-767 for everything... except carrying passengers and main deck cargo. FAA certification isn't required for military aircraft -- but Japan had insisted on it, as part of its contract for four of the planes.

Boeing used a combination of Japan and Italy KC-767 Tankers to complete the testing, clearing the way for Japan to receive its first two of four KC-767s with the convertible freighter configuration in the first quarter of 2008. The completed tests should also help Boeing obtain FAA certification for Italy's KC-767 followed by delivery of the country's first two tankers later in 2008.

Boeing has built nearly 2,000 tankers in its history.

In addition to flight-testing the KC-767 for international customers, Boeing is also offering the KC-767 for the US Air Force's KC-X Tanker competition -- and the delay in obtaining certification was seen as one of the few strikes against Boeing's bid, compared to its Airbus-sourced KC-30 rival from Northrop Grumman and EADS.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.af.mil, www.mod.go.jp/asdf/en/formation/index.html