News

01 Apr 2009

Flight Structures has successfully completed structural testing on it is all new forward and aft facing seat, destined to be installed as part of a medical transport/evacuation installation in Hawker Beechcraft 1900D aircraft. The composite seat offers the operator the unique ability to install the seat on the port or starboard side of the cabin, in forward and aft facing configurations, making the seat a flexible and attractive option for various aircraft types and roles, from full cabin retrofits, to one-off role specific installations. The seat interface is specifically designed to suit the 1900D cabin, but will be adapted for use in other aircraft types.

01 Mar 2009

Flight Structures has opened a new office in Christchurch, adding to the current Hamilton and Auckland offices. The new office will provide increased workload capacity and growth potential, but most importantly it will provide Flight Structures with better access to its many south island customers. Flight Structures has continued to grow in 2009, with the addition of three new staff; including Jaap Authier, previous Chief Designer for Pacific Aerospace Limited, who will lead the Christchurch office. Mr Authier brings with him invaluable experience and technical ability, and is welcome addition to Flight Structures.

30 Oct 2008

Flight Structures has made prototype aircraft seats, targeted at the new generation general aviation aircraft,. The crew and passenger seat are the same except that the crew seat is horizontally and vertically adjustable. Initial certification will be demonstrated for the 9g forward emergency landing criteria applicable to aircraft designed prior to 1987. However the intention is to certify the seats to the latest amendment of FAR 23 and 25, which will require dynamic (crash) testing at laboratories in the USA. The Flight Structures seat is designed to be lightweight and comfortable and meet the criteria of TSO C117.

26 Sep 2008

Flight Structures has concluded an agreement to provide design and certification services to Pacific Aerospace Limited, Australasia’s largest aircraft manufacturer. Many of Flight Structures senior staff started their careers in the PAL design office and were heavily involved in the original development and certification of the PAL 750 XL, CT4/E Airtrainer, and Cresco aircraft.

14 Sep 2006

Flight Structures is pleased to announce that the Circle-the-Earth crew have departed on their round the world flight to raise funds for Starship Children’s Hospital.  The three pilots will be circling the world in a modified Cessna 421B twin engine aircraft.  Flight Structures provided the engineering support required to install and certify the four ferry fuel tanks and associated fuel system modifications for an extra 970 litres of fuel.  The maximum certified take-off weight was also increased by 1250 pounds (17%).  Good luck to Alistair, Joe, and Flora, the Circle-the-Earth pilots.

16 Jun 2006

Flight Structures has achieved a major milestone for Alpha Aviation with the issue by Type Certificate for the Alpha HR200 and R2000 series aircraft by the CAA of New Zealand.  The Type Certificate has been transferred from the previous holder, Apex Aircraft in France, to Alpha Aviation Design Ltd in New Zealand.  Subsequently the European Airworthiness Safety Authority (EASA) has also transferred their Type Certificates to Alpha Aviation.  Issue of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certificate is expected in the near future.

Flight Structures were awarded a three year contract by Alpha Aviation to establish, manage, and staff Alpha Aviation Design in 2004.  Flight Structures’ first task was to create the design procedures which allowed Alpha Aviation Design to be issued a CAR Part 146 Design Organisation certificate in January 2006.  Simultaneously Flight Structures implemented the design changes requested by Alpha Aviation into the Alpha 160A aircraft.  These changes included a new instrument panel, engine air inlet and exhaust systems, and new electrical wiring loom. 

CAA took and active role in the Type Certification process by conducting a conformity inspection of the first Alpha 160A aircraft, review of engineering reports and Flight Manuals.  They also had their test pilot conduct a series of audit test flights to ensure that the original flight characteristics had not been affected.  An important feature of the certification process was the early involvement of CAA which meant that the significant certification issues were resolved well in advance of the anticipated completion date.

With the issue of the Type Certificate achieved Flight Structures’ involvement with Alpha Aviation will switch to supporting the Alpha 160A production line and providing technical support to the 300 existing HR 200 and R2000 aircraft operators spread throughout the world.