Air Works & Scandinavian Avionics JV Becomes Indian Civil Aviation’s First Avionics Design Organization

• DGCAs Design Organization Approval is a landmark step in India’s long-awaited journey to become Atmanirbhar in Civil Aviation & Aerospace

New Delhi. 03 November 2022.  SA Air Works – the Joint Venture (JV) Company of the Air Works Group and Scandinavian Avionics (SA) Group – has achieved a landmark milestone in the history of Indian Civil Aviation & Aerospace sector by becoming the country’s first Avionics organization to receive the Directorate
General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) Design Organization Approval under CAR 21.

The approval for Avionics design is a historic first step and especially significant in India’s long-awaited
journey of becoming Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) in the design domain, given our fast-growing aviation &
aerospace market.

As an approved Design Organization, SA Air Works now possesses the capability to define or create design
procedures including Supplemental Type Certifications (STCs) and Repair schemes for undertaking minor
or major changes on both fixed-wing aircraft (equivalent to Federal Aviation Regulations/ Certification
Specifications FAR/ CS – 25, >5700 Kgs and FAR/ CS – 23, <5700 Kgs), and rotary-wing aircraft (small &
large helicopters, equivalent to Federal Aviation Regulations/ Certification Specifications, FAR/ CS – 27,
<3175 Kgs and FAR/ CS -29, >3175 Kgs) related to avionics, electrical, navigation and communication
systems including cabin equipment and related structures under CAR 21, within the country. In short, the
Design Organization Approval covers the entire spectrum of aircraft types, right from Rotorcrafts/
Helicopters to Business Jets as well as those meant for Commercial Air Transport.

Thrilled to receive the approval, Mr. D. Anand Bhaskar, Managing Director & CEO, Air Works Group said,
“The Design Organization Approval is an 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 a Design Organization 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,” added Mr. Bhaskar.

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. Besides, it will give added benefits to customers in the
form of shorter lead times and cost savings for the design/ certification and installation process, leading to
customer satisfaction.

Speaking on the accomplishment, Mr. Ajay Sharma, CEO, 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
and offer avionics-related design services to operators, aircraft owners, customers, and OEMs both in India
and abroad. 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.”

Mr. Sharna further added. “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 very
first STC for regulatory approval. The design approval is a stepping-stone and will eventually open the
floodgates of design into India, helping us not only conserve forex outflow as a nation and, to 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 that own/ operate aircraft, including private or business jets and rotary wing (helicopters) machines, as its customers. SA Air Works has delivered a significant number of high-quality avionics upgrades and cockpit transitions in India, including customizations, ahead of time and at highly cost-effective prices. The company already holds the requisite design approvals from the Regional Centre for Military to undertake necessary design tasks including Building Modification Leaflet/certifications, Systems Integration, installation related to Avionics, electricals for Military Aircraft (Fixed & Rotary Wing aircrafts) and DGCA CAR 145 approval.