BAE Systems receives EASA approval for Jetstream 32 Life Extension Programme

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval for its Life Extension Programme (LEP) for the 18-19 seat Jetstream 32 regional turboprop aircraft. EASA approval was granted in early October and the LEP manual is now available for those operators who wish to sign up to the programme on BAE Systems’ i-Sapphire online facility. Under the LEP the airframe life limit of the aircraft will be raised from the current 45,000 landings to 67,000 landings. The LEP introduces a revised structural maintenance programme for the aircraft embodied through the Structurally Significant Inspection Document (SSID) which operators can buy from BAE Systems Regional Aircraft via a Modification Service Bulletin. There are some 135 Jetstream 32s operating worldwide, many of which are approaching the 45,000 landings limitation. BAE Systems has been working with fleet lead-time operator, Aerolinea de Antioquia (ADA) of Medellin, Colombia to develop the programme. The airline operates seven Jetstream 32s on scheduled services from Medellin to 11 destinations in north eastern Colombia. ADA will be the first operator to avail themselves of the LEP. For operators whose aircraft are covered under United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or other jurisdictions, BAE Systems will support operators applying to their national airworthiness authority for continued aircraft operations beyond the 45,000 landings limit.