In their proposal for a new vintage category, EAA and the VAA said that such aircraft would not be limited in size or complexity; Part 43 airworthiness regulations would still apply; the installation of parts and items that are not PMA- or TSO-compliant would be allowed; and aircraft in the new category would lose any privileges to carry persons or property for hire. The owner would have the option to transfer to the new category or not. No specific age limits were proposed. Lawrence said that many fundamental safety issues associated with aging — such as fatigue and corrosion — can be found in aircraft of just about age, depending on how the aircraft is used and maintained, so aging is not just a matter of calendar years, but a combination of factors.
Earlier this month, more than 1,300 people met in Atlanta to address issues of aging aircraft in the commercial and defense fleet, at the 9th Joint FAA/DoD/NASA Conference on Aging Aircraft. The conference provided opportunities for networking about common problems and a showcase for vendors with new technology designed to alleviate those problems.
Offering Owners Of Old Airplanes A Choice
Key Takeaways:
- EAA and VAA have proposed a new "vintage aircraft" category allowing non-PMA/TSO parts, requiring continued adherence to Part 43 regulations, and revoking for-hire privileges, with optional owner transfer.
- The proposal highlights that aircraft aging is a multifactorial issue based on usage and maintenance, not just calendar years, and therefore does not include specific age limits.
- Separately, over 1,300 participants recently attended a joint FAA/DoD/NASA conference in Atlanta to address aging aircraft issues in commercial and defense fleets, focusing on networking and showcasing new technologies.
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