As part of the Japanese Government's deregulation of the aviation industry, the country's Ministry of Transport's Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) has eased regulations on aircraft certification by eliminating overlaps of lengthy inspection processes on small aircraft and helicopters.
The JCAB will allow domestic aircraft manufacturers to test airworthiness through in-house demonstration flights, with officials being notified of the results in writing.
For foreign-built aircraft, import airworthiness certificates will be accepted if they are issued by countries with sufficiently rigorous inspection standards.
At the same time, aircraft noise- and exhaust-emission standards will be brought into line with International Civil Aviation Organsation standards.
Saab of Sweden has become the first foreign aircraft manufacturer to apply for the new Japanese type certification, which came into effect on 1 October, although Japan has yet to sign an agreement with the Scandinavian country recognising the validity of its airworthiness certificates.
Source: Flight International