Thu, Feb 14, 2008
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.
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