Press Release

Issued by NZAero.

December 13, 2012

Today China and New Zealand’s aviation regulators signed a technical agreement that gives New Zealand aircraft manufacturers accepted recognition in China. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) required a formal technical arrangement between the two countries before they could issue regulatory approval to products imported from New Zealand. This has enabled Hamilton based company, Pacific Aerospace to receive an aircraft type certificate from CAAC which makes it possible for the Hamilton company to sell $37 million of aircraft into the burgeoning Chinese aviation market. The signatories to the agreement are the Director of Civil Aviation, Graeme Harris and his Chinese counterpart, Mr Li Jian, Vice-Minister - Civil Aviation Administration of China (the CAAC Director). The Minister of Transport, Hon Gerry Brownlee represented the New Zealand Government. Since 2010, two New Zealand-based aircraft manufacturers have approached the CAA seeking assistance to export their products to China. The CAA held a number of meetings to help to develop the arrangement. A CAAC delegation visited the CAA in January 2012, to gain a fuller understanding of the New Zealand certification system. The Chinese regulator has also signed a bilateral agreement with Brazil covering all aviation products which helped shape the New Zealand agreement. Further discussions on a draft arrangement were held in Wellington in March and Beijing in June this year. The Chinese regulator notified their acceptance of the final draft on 15 August 2012. CAA Director, Graeme Harris says this is a ‘win-win’ arrangement. "We recognise and are committed to playing our part in enabling a positive aviation environment. In addition to our primary role of keeping air travel safe, we set standards for aircraft operators, pilots, engineers, airports and air traffic control. We have also identified our purpose as ‘Leading aviation safety to help New Zealand thrive’. The signing of today’s agreement between our two aviation agencies is a perfect illustration of the CAA fulfilling this purpose." He said. The CEO of Pacific Aerospace, Mr Damien Camp said "The signing of the Technical agreement between the CAAC and CAANZ and the issuing of the Validated Type Certificate for the P-750 XSTOL are two critical milestones for Pacific Aerospace". "We believe the P-750 is the ideal aircraft for China and can see it being used for a wide range of applications including agriculture, aerial survey, passenger-freight, fire fighting and medical evacuation. We are already in discussions with customers across these applications and expect to make the first aircraft deliveries early next year."