Goodrich Expands Manufacturing and Design Activities in India

News Feb 07 , 2011 Neelam Mathews BENGALURU The Goodrich India facility that has come a long way since its inception over a decade ago, is now involved in design, development and manufacture of critical systems for new platforms including the design, development and manufacture of actuation systems for a regional jet,  said Chris Rao, VP and Country Head of Goodrich operations in India.

Goodrich Aerospace Services India has also been given work packages by its parent company for design and manufacture of passenger seats for a regional aircraft manufacturer. “We have won the entire program for the regional jet,” said Rao. He declines to comment on the name of the OEM or the value of the contract. The first set will be sent for FAA qualification by mid-2012. “We are part of the design team, manufacture and certification ... it could be three to four years from now,” says Rao as the aircraft has to come into production. He adds that Goodrich India was also involved in work on numerous Embraer regional jets. The Goodrich facility, based in the outskirts of Bengaluru, recently started observer seat assemblies for Boeing 737s. It is, incidentally, a Tier-1 supplier to Boeing. This new contract could be a feather in the Indian facility’s cap as defense offsets in India now permit tapping of commercial aviation products. Goodrich in India manufactures all evacuation systems for Goodrich in the U.S., including the full range of the 737 line, 98% of the 747 line, as well as 777, 767 and Airbus A330/340/380 and Embraer 170/190 models. With the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) expected to be signed later this year between the U.S. and India, Goodrich can then get authority to ship to customers direct as FAA will authorize India’s regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), to award the certification. A “shadow” certification is under development with Goodrich in India for four-seat life rafts for use in general aviation aircraft. Development of the certification article is in progress and will become a model for entities involved in the bilateral arrangement. “BASA will be a great step forward in the aerospace industry. It will ensure mutual acceptance of aeronautical products and parts developed in either country,” said Nasim Zaidi, secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.