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A $640 million government contract to use four Cobham *Aviation-operated Bombardier Challenger jets for search-and-rescue operations around Australia is running more than three months behind schedule as the aircraft struggle to gain the regulatory approvals needed to fly.
The 12-year deal between the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Cobham was supposed to begin in August when the first of four custom-fitted Challenger 604s was to begin operating from Perth.
Western Australian has been left without the long-range search-and-rescue aircraft for more than three months after problems gaining Civil Aviation Safety Authority approvals delayed their lift-off.
Sources close to AMSA say regulatory delays plaguing the 604s have been brought on by a raft of problems with the new jet, including the aircraft’s drop door being too small to allow necessary supply items to be dispatched from the plane.
Other critics have pointed to the jet’s requirement to burn off four hours of fuel before landing as a serious problem that undermines its ability to operate as a time-critical search-and-rescue aircraft.
The aircraft has also run into serious issues during testing by Cobham, including two incidents where supplies dropped from the plane struck its fuselage and tail.
AMSA said it was aware of the two incidents, which were reported to CASA as required.
“The trials informed incremental changes in design of the delivery system and drop procedures. Cobham has advised AMSA that CASA has now *approved the system, inclusive of aircraft modifications and crew procedures, for delivery of the full range of stores,” an AMSA spokesman said.
AMSA confirmed that the regulatory approvals were holding back the launch of the aircraft but could not provide a firm date when the jets could fly.
“Cobham has experienced a number of delays in modification, integration and certification of the aircraft,” the spokesman said.
“Until the aircraft is certified and approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to deliver the full range of search and rescue services, AMSA will not accept the service.”
AMSA said the first Cobham aircraft was booked to undertake proving flights for its CASA Air Operator’s Certificate in coming weeks, after which it would be able to enter service.
“Safety of the operation is paramount and when the rigorous process being followed by CASA is complete, AMSA will have the necessary assurances that this will be a safe operation which will *deliver all the capabilities required,” the AMSA spokesman said.
A spokeswoman for Cobham said the company was “fully focused” on delivering the aircraft to AMSA and that it continued to work closely with CASA to pass its regulatory hurdles.
The Cobham aircraft were set to progressively replace a fleet of AeroRescue Dornier aircraft based in Perth, Cairns and *Essendon.
While two of the Dorniers — one based in Cairns and one in Melbourne — are still in operation under the AeroRescue contract, they are about six hours away from Perth should an emergency unfold there.
AMSA said it did not rely on any single asset to deliver search-and-rescue services and there were sufficient alternative assets available for West Australian search-and-rescue services during the transition period.
AMSA said it also held contracts with a number of commercial aircraft operators who would provide response aircraft when *required.