Associated Air Center Completes First STC for Installation of CPDLC/FANS System on 737-300 Boeing Classic Aircraft for VVIP Head of State Customer

June 26, 2015
AAC’s in-house, engineering department developed the engineering data package to support the installation and integration to qualify for the required FAA STC approval for this system.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.  –  June 26, 2015 –  Associated Air Center, through its in-house Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) delegation, has obtained Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for its first installation of a Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) System, as part of the requirements for Future Air Navigation System (FANS) on a 737-300 Boeing VVIP aircraft.

This low time/cycles 737-300 platform, manufactured in 1990 and operated by a head of state customer, is an out-of-production, classic aircraft.  While CPDLC/FANS certification is available for new generation aircraft, Boeing does not offer a technical solution, in the form of a service bulletin or master change of FAA approved engineering data and parts kit for the installation and integration of the CPDLC/FANS system on older aircraft.

AAC’s in-house, engineering department developed the engineering data package to support the installation and integration to qualify for the required FAA STC approval for this system.  The workscope included the installation of a new FANS compliant Flight Management System (FMS), a new FANS compliant Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS), a new FANS compliant Iridium Satcom System, a new FANS compliant Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) equipped with a back-up battery (replacing the original CVR), a new VHF Communications antenna, a new Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna and a new Iridium communications antenna.

“This particular VVIP customer flies to international destinations requiring CPDLC/FANS compliance for better flight planning along heavily congested, direct routes and flight levels in order to optimize fuel burn and range,” said James Colleary, President of AAC.  “We are pleased to provide an FAA approved technical solution, while we are currently addressing additional interests from other VVIP aircraft platforms.”

All work for this project was completed at AAC’s Maintenance and Repair Organization (MRO), FAR-145 FAA Repair Station, Hangar 3, at its Dallas Love Field location.  AAC installed and certified the CPDLC system during a regularly scheduled maintenance event.