Toronto cockpit maker earns U.S. defence sector certification

TORONTO—FTG Aerospace, the aerospace parts manufacturing division of Toronto-based manufacturer Firan Technology Group Corp., has been certified to manufacture and supply cockpit panels for the U.S. Department of Defense.

The MIL-DTL-7788 certification means FTG is qualified to build all types of illuminated cockpit panels manufactured with incandescent lamps, LEDs, and most types manufactured with electroluminescent lamps. The approval includes night-vision compatible panels for the above three light sources.

Getting certified was no easy task. FTG was required to be AS9100 certified, to successfully pass an on-site audit, to build the full range of products meeting all of the technical requirements and to pass multiple environmental tests to demonstrate the product meets the quality requirements of end-users.

“FTG is growing its cockpit product business in both the defense and commercial aerospace markets by offering a full range of products used by our customers and by providing exceptional quality,” stated Brad Bourne, president and Chief Executive Officer of FTG. “This qualification is the result of extensive testing of our hardware and demonstrating it can withstand the very harsh environment seen in defense applications.”

MIL-DTL-7788 is a specification outlining the requirements for the manufacturing and testing of Integrally Illuminated Information Panels, for the Unites States Department of Defense. The certification process is managed through the Defense Logistics Agency – Aviation in Richmond, V.a.

FTG is an aerospace and defense electronics product and subsystem supplier to customers around the globe. FTG has operations in Toronto, Chatsworth, Calif. and a joint venture in Tianjin, China.