Baines Simmons wins EMAR contracts with two NATO operating units
Aviation safety consulting firm Baines Simmons has secured two contracts with NATO operating units: the Heavy Airlift Wing at Papa, Hungary, and the Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) unit in Geilenkirchen, Germany. Both contracts have a duration of around three months.
The consulting firm, which is a division of aviation services group Air Partner (20 offices globally), has been appointed to help the NATO units understand the benefits and the challenges associated with the implementation of EMAR's (European Military Airworthiness Requirements) 21, 145 and M stipulations.
Leveraging civil aviation best-practices, EMARs have been designed to improve the safety and efficiency of military aircraft. The EMARs are issued by the European Defence Agency (EDA) and outline how airworthiness of military aircraft is initially certified, managed and maintained through life. EMARs are forecasted to provide armed forces the potential to get more out of their aviation assets, whilst at the same time achieving significant savings.
The two operating units of NATO have now called upon Baines Simmons to support with the implementation of EMARs. “Baines Simmons is excited to have won the opportunity to help the units to recognise the costs and tangible benefits of EMAR implementation, over mere compliance on paper,” said Bob Simmons, Director at the aviation consultancy.
He added, “The EMARs present a great opportunity for nations to work together to a high, common standard and to help cash-strapped armed forces to get the most out of their assets.”
The move comes just months after Baines Simmons was appointed by European Defence Agency (EDA) as a trusted partner for its compliance toward the new airworthiness compliance measures, following a number of projects completed with the agency over the past twenty-four months.
Baines Simmons was founded in 2011 and today serves more than 750 aviation organisations and more than 40 aviation authorities. The firm provides three types of services: consulting, training and outsourced services.
In another consultancy deal in the aviation sector, last month Turkish Airlines turned to German consultants to support with the airport relocation from Atatürk Airport to the new location.