From CASA
A220s enter service
Ever wonder how we certify a new type of airliner for operations in Australia?
The introduction this month of a new aircraft type, the Airbus A220-300, is the culmination of a 12-month project involving a CASA team with expertise in areas ranging from flight operations and cabin safety to ground operations.
The A220 aircraft, which will be operated by National Jet Systems (NJS) using the Qantas brand and will replace the airline’s Boeing B717 fleet, are part of an order of 29 aircraft from Airbus Canada.
National Jet is the first Australian airline to operate this first of type, first of model aircraft, with 2 of the aircraft – VH-X4A (painted in the green livery Minyma Kutjari Tjukurpa) and VH-X4B – to operate from the Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane ports.
The project started a year ago when a pre-application was received by NJS.
CASA flight operations inspectors travelled to Montreal, Canada, for type rating training at the CAE simulator centre to gain a greater technical understanding of the aircraft.
A cabin safety expert also undertook training in Zurich, Switzerland, on emergency procedures and passenger handling.
The assessment process included reviewing documentation covering the manual suite, inspections, testing, and certification for the Air Operator’s Certificate, Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) Part 42 (continuing airworthiness) and CASR Part 145 (maintenance facility).
There were also practical assessments covering an evacuation demonstration and proving flights.
The evacuation demonstration was conducted in a hangar at Canberra airport with 9 CASA and 30 Qantas staff involved.
A simulated rejected take-off, which required the exit doors to be opened within 10 seconds, helped ensure procedures were within certification requirements.
Proving flights took place over 2 days. A return flight from Melbourne to Brisbane tested both cockpit and ground scenarios, including a simulated fire in a toilet, a scenario of preparing the cabin for a water ditching and night landing.
The second flight from Melbourne to Sydney was diverted to Canberra airport before flying back to Melbourne.
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