Supplementary Type Certificates (STCs)
What is underway?
Supplementary Type Certification (STC) is currently underway for our first aircraft type – the Swearingen Merlin III twin turboprop. This initial type certificate is the keystone project for our certification program. This certification is planned to allow for the STC to be expanded to cover an Approved Model List (AML) of similar twin engine turboprop aircraft, and therefore a quicker, more impactful path to reducing emissions and saving operators costs.
Starting with a turboprop enables the validation of data required for certification at a lower cost (both in financial terms and time) than would be the case for a large turbofan. Once the initial tranche of STC is complete, we will move onto certification programs for commercial airliner Turbofan engines, the selection of which will center around the most impactful (to the environment) airframes, and time to market considerations.
Keep an eye out here for updates, or sign up to our mailing list to be appraised of which aircraft series will benefit next.
As an operator, the most significant change to the operation is the amendment to the Airplane Flight Manual, AFM, providing new thrust reference values: