Strengthening NZAero’s Design and Certification Capability

NZAero is pleased to welcome Richard Andrews as Chief Designer, strengthening the design, certification and continued airworthiness capability behind our aircraft and OEM support. 

Richard brings more than three decades of aircraft design and certification experience, with a background spanning design engineering, structural substantiation, technical assessments, continued airworthiness, modifications and concessions. 

His experience includes direct involvement in the 750XL design programme, where his work covered airspeed and load assessments, control surface and fuselage loadings, fuselage structural substantiation, finite element modelling and structural testing. 

Richard has also held senior design and certification responsibilities across the 750XL, E-350, Cresco and CT-4 aircraft families, supporting continued airworthiness, technical assessments, modifications, concessions and design office capability. 

For NZAero, this appointment is an important step in strengthening the depth of knowledge behind the aircraft we design, manufacture and support. 

Aircraft support does not end at delivery. Operators rely on accurate technical records, OEM knowledge, approved repair and modification pathways, and practical engineering support throughout the operational life of an aircraft. 

Richard’s appointment adds further depth to NZAero’s ability to support current aircraft, legacy fleets, OEM parts supply, repairs, modifications and future development work. 

As New Zealand’s aircraft manufacturer, NZAero continues to invest in the people, knowledge and systems required to support operators working in demanding environments around the world. 

From design and certification through to manufacturing, parts supply and long-term aircraft support, NZAero remains focused on providing practical capability for real-world aviation operations.