SPARKS, Nev., February 27, 2015 – Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) announces that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently expanded its subsidiary, 3S Certification LLC’s, Organization Designation Authorization (ODA). 3S Certification’s ODA now includes Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approvals for 14 CFR Part 27 and 29 rotorcraft. This expansion in authority was strongly supported by the quality and quantity of certification work 3S Certification performs on a regular basis with the FAA.
“As those in the aviation industry know, ODA authority is extremely difficult to obtain from the FAA,” said William L. Shields, general manager of 3S Certification. “We worked very closely with the FAA under the ODA procedures to obtain this increased authority. We believe the company’s multiple ODA authorities are evidence of the FAA’s strong confidence in our ability and qualifications to get the job done right and safely for our customers.”
3S Certification coordinates its STC projects directly with its sister company 3S Engineering LLC, also an SNC subsidiary managed by Mr. Shields (collectively, “3S Subsidiaries”). 3S Engineering provides the engineering design and support, compliance data development and documentation for aircraft modifications and avionics system integration design in order to show compliance for FAA approvals. With the support of 3S Engineering and over 90 Unit Members (UMs) approved by FAA to work under the ODA, 3S Certification has extensive capability to expedite the issuance of STCs on a wide variety of both rotor and fixed wing aircraft.
3S Certification has existing STC approvals for 14 CFR Part 23 and 25 and a history of working in the fixed wing aircraft arena. The company’s expanded ODA, along with its numerous FAA approved UMs, create a foundation for both 3S Subsidiaries to enter into the helicopter certification, modification and integration markets to provide rapid STC-approvals for rotorcraft.
“We are very excited as this certification authority provides a baseline for our 3S Subsidiaries to begin capturing activities in the helicopter market for all types of modifications and integrations requiring STCs,” said SNC’s President Eren Ozmen. “In addition, both 3S Subsidiaries support several SNC business areas and will be supporting our subsidiaries, including Sierra Completions. Accordingly, this certification means growth for SNC and its affiliates across the board.”
To further bolster performance, the 3S Subsidiaries augmented their internal processes and added key technical leaders to their teams. These factors amplify their joint capabilities in certification compliance development, program management, and design engineering. The end result will ensure success for 3S Certfication’s expanded authority.
About 3S Certification, LLC and 3S Engineering, LLC:
Since their inception in 2006, 3S Certification LLC and 3S Engineering, LLC have acted as subject matter experts specializing in avionics and cabin equipment modifications and certification. In 2012, Sierra Nevada Corporation acquired both LLCs to compliment and rapidly grow SNC's existing aviation integration and modifications capabilities.
About SNC
SNC is a trusted global leader in aerospace and national security. Our innovative solutions enable connected protection through command, control and communications systems, as well as ISR, cyber, electromagnetic spectrum management, and other high capabilities for national security systems across all domains – sea, land, air, space and cyber. As a longstanding leader in defense technology, SNC is at the optimum intersection of commercial, defense and non-traditional contractors. We are one of the only privately owned mid-tier A&D contractors and we pride ourselves on our ability to invest early and often to ensure mission success on or ahead of schedule. It's part of our mission to always stay one step ahead; working on solutions today to solve the problems of tomorrow. Founded in 1963, SNC is owned by Chairwoman Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen.