India and USA to enter into a bilateral aviation safety agreement

The Governments of India and the United States are in the process of entering into bilateral aviation safety agreement. As the aviation vendor base of both Boeing and Airbus increase in India, the eventual goal is for this agreement to lead to an agreement allowing for the mutual acceptance of aeronautical products and parts developed in either country.

A six member team of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently visited the New Delhi head-quarters and completed a technical assessment review of the aircraft certification system of India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in eleven defined areas, which, the DGCA, is reported to have passed with flying colours.

Subsequently, the FAA team carried out review of a shadow certification project where the DGCA carried out actual work as per procedures and standards of the FAA. The project was the development of a 4-seat general aviation life-raft by US aviation vendor Goodrich Corp., at Bangalore (where else, but the hub of aviation manufacturing in India).

After complete evaluation, the DGCA has already awarded an India Technical Standard Order Authorization (ITSOA) to Goodrich.

Consequent to these two actions, the FAA will send a final assessment report to the DGCA and commence the process to exchange documents for signing of an Executive Agreement. This will be the first agreement of its type for the DGCA.

About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

Check Also

In new strategy Etihad invests in Darwin Airlines, re-brands it Etihad Regional

by Devesh Agarwal Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, today announced …

+OK