22 May Nextant Aerospace Stands Mission Ready for T-1A Avionics Modernization Program with STC Certification Approval Received

FAA grants Nextant Aerospace Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Collins Aerospace Pro Line 21 Avionics Suite for USAF T-1A program ahead of schedule

CLEVELAND, OHIO, Wednesday, 22 May 2019 –

Nextant Aerospace, a global leader in aircraft and component remanufacturing and builders of the 400XTi, G90XT, and 604XT, announced today it has received a Supplemental Type Certificate for the United States Air Force (USAF) T-1A Avionics Modernization Program. The FAA granted the STC which certifies the Collins Aerospace Pro Line 21 Avionics suite as an upgrade for the USAF T-1A Jayhawk fleet.

The unprecedented pace of progress and approvals on the program are noteworthy. Typically, an upgrade of this magnitude can take in excess of 18 months. Receiving the STC took a mere nine months from T-1A Prototype Induction to completing Certification Test Flight to FAA Certification. Nextant was able to achieve this because of its expertise with the airframe and its excellent rapport with the FAA. Recognized as the industry leader in Beechjet 400A remanufacturing, Nextant applied all its experience and expertise to the USAF’s equivalent military commercial derivative T-1A and worked closely with the FAA’s Chicago Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) which granted the STC.

“The FAA Certification of the PL21 Avionics Suite on the USAF’s T-1A in nine months is a colossal achievement,” said Colonel Robert Leonard (retired USAF), Nextant Aerospace Director of Government Business. “This positions the team of companies – Field Aerospace, Nextant, and Collins Aerospace – to quickly progress on to Low Rate Production (LRP) between now and the end of the summer and begin Full Rate Production by the fall of 2019,” added Col. Leonard.

Nextant Aerospace shares the responsibility for modernizing the entire USAF T-1A trainer aircraft fleet, operational flight trainers and part task trainers and is a primary subcontractor to Field Aerospace. The program eliminates avionics obsolescence issues and incorporates integrated ADS-B Out functionality that complies with the FAA national airspace use requirements.

“With the STC in hand, we are looking forward to providing the USAF aircrew with this updated technology at a pace that works for all. Depending on the rate at which the USAF provides the remaining aircraft to Field Aerospace, the teams will calibrate deliveries for Full Rate Production as early as October,” noted Mark O’Donnell, Nextant Aerospace Vice President.

About Nextant Aerospace

Recognized as the global leader in aircraft and component remanufacturing, Nextant Aerospace has redefined the business aviation industry by using reimagined engineering and production capabilities to transform used business aircraft into new modern airframes. The airframes are rebuilt with innovative technology for improved performance, advanced flight deck avionics, and enhanced passenger cabin configurations. Nextant delivers a cabin class for every stage of ownership with its family of aircraft, consisting of the G90XT turboprop, 400XTi light jet, and 604XT large cabin. These best-in-class performance and comfort airframes are reborn at a fraction of the cost of new competing aircraft. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Nextant Aerospace offers a host of services including aircraft component repair and overhaul, engineering and certification, non-destructive testing (NTD), and parts and STC kitting. As the recipient of the Laureate Award for leadership in the field of Business Aviation, Nextant serves clients in the corporate, government/military, and airline transport aviation sectors. For more information visit www.nextantaerospace.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @nextantaero or join us on LinkedIn.

About Field Aerospace

Field Aerospace is an SBA-qualified small business operating in the U.S. (Field Aerospace) and Canada (Field Aviation). For more than 70 years, Field has been making ordinary aircraft extraordinary for commercial and military customers all over the world. Field is recognized as an industry leader in the design, integration, manufacture, installation, flight test, and certification of interior and exterior aircraft modifications and avionics upgrade programs. An award-winning avionics equipment dealer and authorized service center, Field offers aviation-related contractor logistics support and program management office support to the U.S. military; Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) modifications for special mission and maritime applications; and aerospace parts manufacturing and subassembly services. For more information please visit www.fieldaero.com or www.fieldav.com.

Media contact:
Field Aerospace
Derek Clarke
dclarke@fieldav.com