Serco first service provider to meet stringent new military aircraft maintenance standards
Date : 20 June 2008
Serco's defence business has become one of the first companies to pass assessment under stringent new MoD standards for ensuring the airworthiness of military aircraft.
The MoD's Maintenance Approved Organisation Scheme (MAOS) is the means by which the Ministry of Defence assesses the competence of organisations providing support services to military-registered aircraft. Elements of the scheme have been mandated since March 2008.
As one of the first companies supporting UK military aircraft to achieve certification under the scheme, Serco has been recognised for the quality of its work at the two main Royal Naval Air Stations - Culdrose and Yeovilton, where the company provides engineering support to the MoD's fleet of Lynx, Merlin and Sea King aircraft.
The company was formally awarded its certificate by Rear Admiral Ian Tibbitt, Director General Safety and Engineering, at a ceremony at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton.
MAOS enables the MoD to meet its commitment to only place contracts with organisations that have the right combination of management, technical and quality assurance capabilities, plus a demonstrable track record of ensuring airworthiness of military aircraft. Its implementation marks one of the most significant changes to military maintenance regulations in many years.
Keith Archer-Jones, Operations Director for Serco's defence business, said:
"The implementation of MAOS marks a significant and welcome change to military maintenance regulations. The award of MAOS certification to Serco is testament to the dedication of our staff at Culdrose and Yeovilton in providing assured services to the MoD. We have a strong track record of maintaining airworthiness on a wide variety of military aircraft for all three UK armed services, and I am delighted and proud that the quality of our work has been recognised in this way."