19 April 2018
EASA certification of the Sonaca 200 two-seat training aircraft is imminent with “just a few open issues” to sort out, according not only to Sonaca Aircraft boss Harold van der Straten but also Dominique Roland, Head of General Aviation at EASA.
The flight test aircraft on display at AERO has successfully completed static tests as well as all the stability, noise, vibration, performance and stall tests, finishing with more than 200 spins (the test pilot was enjoying himself according to Sonaca’s Simon André, one of the engineers working on the project).
Cockpit of the flight test Sonaca 200 aircraft shown at AERO 2018. A Garmin G500 glass cockpit option is under development.
Sonaca Aircraft and EASA expect the CS-VLA type certification to be issued by the end of May this year, when Sonaca will start delivering production aircraft already under construction.
The Sonaca 200’s CS-VLA certification will confirm:
“Thanks to this new certification, Sonaca Aircraft will now be authorised to fly the Sonaca 200 both in Europe and in the rest of the world under the European Airworthiness Certificate,” said Carl Mengdehl, Head of Engineering and co-founder at Sonaca Aircraft.
Sonaca is also working on a further development which will allow higher load limits to enable the aircraft to be used for intentional spinning and Upset Recovery Training (UPRT) for commercial pilots. An STC to allow a Garmin G500 glass cockpit to be fitted is also on the way for 2019.
The birth of a new aeroplane manufacturer! Sonaca Aircraft team with EASA officials (centre) line up at AERO 2018.
Dominique Roland, EASA Head of General Aviation, spoke about the Sonaca 200 certification project:
“I remember very well the young Sonaca team’s first visit at EASA. At that time, I was handling organisation approvals (DOA) and although the project presented that day did not require the establishment of a DOA, I nevertheless advised Sonaca Aircraft to consider this approach.
“I am used to giving advice, which is generally not followed… But to my great surprise, Sonaca Aircraft was an exception and obtained their DOA in January 2018!”
Sonaca Aircraft boss Harold van der Straten, with microphone, and Dominique Roland, Head of General Aviation at EASA, at AERO.
“The Sonaca 200 certification application had been filed in August 2015 and the Type Certificate should be issued shortly, meaning within less than three years after the initial application. In the world of General Aviation, it is a performance which is pretty rare and deserves to be commended.
“Bravo to Sonaca Aircraft and bravo to the project team!”
