SA Air Works awarded India’s first DOA

The approval for avionics design is a historic first step and especially significant in light of the country’s fast growth in aviation and aerospace and its determination to become Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) in the design domain.

As an approved design organisation, SA Air Works – a joint venture between the Air Works Group and Scandinavian Avionics (SA) Group – can define or create design procedures including Supplemental Type Certifications (STCs) and repair schemes for minor or major changes related to avionics, electrical, navigation and communication systems, including cabin equipment and related structures, on a variety of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.

D Anand Bhaskar, managing director and chief executive of Air Works Group, said: “The DOA is excellent news not just for SA Air Works but indeed a shot in the arm and a matter of pride for the entire Indian civil aviation and aerospace sector, which can now step into a higher trajectory with this extremely critical capability. The world could eventually be our market with such approval in our portfolio.

“Having design organisation status means that we no longer need to be dependent on third parties for such critical work which can now happen within the country, indigenously, reducing budgets and timelines, for an array of avionics-related work.”

This approval will enable SA Air Works and India to market its design capabilities in the certified areas to OEMs and operators domestically and overseas. It will benefits customers in the form of shorter lead times and cost savings for the design/certification and installation process.

Ajay Sharma, chief executive of SA Air Works, said: “The receipt of the design approval fulfils our strategic intent and dream of becoming Atmanirbhar in the civil aircraft design space. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of our entire team and the support of Scandinavian Avionics – our JV partner – in all these years in making this a reality.

“Being the country’s first private enterprise to have been accorded this approval is indeed a proud and gratifying moment. As an immediate step, we look forward to submitting our first STC for regulatory approval.

“The design approval is a stepping-stone and will eventually open the floodgates of design into India, helping us conserve forex outflow as a nation and also begin creating our IPs in civil aircraft design space, making our business offerings more comprehensive and the Indian civil aviation industry, sustainable.”

As a leading avionics systems integrator, designer and a turnkey avionics solution provider to customers, SA Air Works has been a dominant player with a significant market share in the Indian and regional aviation market. The company counts both civil and military aviation, leading institutions, individuals and corporates among as its customers.

The company already holds the requisite design approvals to undertake design tasks including building modification leaflet/certifications, systems integration, installation related to avionics, electricals for military fixed and rotary-wing aircraft.