by Justin Mahler
Every aircraft has specific requirements and every customer has specific needs. Our team of engineers and designers works to ensure that every aspect is accounted for on the Supplemental Type Certificates (STC). We have numerous STCs for the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Administration, as well as approvals in Argentina, Brazil, and India.
If we don’t already have the STC, we will work with customers to obtain the necessary paperwork and certification. If there is a problem with any of the equipment, Spectrum Aeromed has a certified repair station and a designated engineering representative (DER) on site.
The Process
Obtaining the STC is a process that usually takes 5-6 months. The application is submitted and coordination is required with any Foreign Aviation Authority. Any new product that is needed for the aircraft will be designed at this time. After the new equipment is built, it will be conformed, allowing it to receive 8130-3 Airworthiness Approval Tags. After the aircraft has been wired for the system and equipment installed, a compliance inspection takes place, which insures that egress, lighting, and other requirements are maintained. An EMI Test is also required to ensure that the medial system will not interfere with the Avionics on the aircraft. After the successfully completion of the EMI Test and Compliance Inspection, the data is compiled and submitted to the FAA and the STC is issued.
If your aircraft is on a Foreign Registered Certificate, it can be used for the STC creation. Spectrum Aeromed has handled this process on numerous STCs. We will coordinate with the Foreign Aviation Authority and the FAA in order to do this.
Learn more about what Spectrum Aeromed has to offer in our corporate overview video.
Justin Mahler is the Director of Engineering for Spectrum Aeromed, and also serves as the company’s designated engineering representative (DER), overseeing the certification and compliance efforts with the FAA. He was recognized in 2012 as one of the “40 Most Influential People Under the Age of 40” in North Dakota by Prairie Business Magazine.