On April 5, 2024, the L3Harris Avionics Products Repair Station (NN2R037L) in Grand Rapids, Michigan became the first U.S. repair station to be awarded EMAR-145 (European Military Airworthiness Requirement Part 145) certification.
EMAR-145 is the governing regulation for Military Maintenance Organizations (MMOs) and has recently become a requirement for contractor run maintenance organizations, known as Approved Maintenance Organizations (AMOs).
Airbus Helicopters approached L3Harris Avionics in early 2023 with the requirement for EMAR-145 certification to be implemented by January 2025 to support delivery of the H160M to the French Government.
A team, led by Chief Inspector Seth Schaefer, was formed to determine what was required for the repair station to become an EMAR-145 AMO. The team needed to create new process and procedures to augment the existing system and then train the personnel on the new process.
In February 2024, a delegation from the French DGA (Directorate General of Armament) travelled to Grand Rapids, MI to conduct a compliance assessment of the repair station. There were no major findings in their report and the few observations noted during their assessment were promptly actioned by the team. In early April 2024, following the final ‘objective evidence report’ being submitted to the DGA, certification was awarded.
Congratulations to the Repair Station Team in Grand Rapids for meeting the customer requirements more than eight months ahead of schedule, and for being the FIRST U.S.-based AMO certified to conduct repairs IAW EMAR-145.