The average GA aircraft is 35 years old, according to the FAA, and plenty of aircraft even older are still being flown every day. To address issues about how to regulate the fleet and keep it safe, the FAA’s Small Airplane Directorate hosted an Aging Aircraft Summit in Kansas City, Mo., last week. Representatives from AOPA and EAA were there and agreed that one thing GA doesn’t need is more regulation. “GA aircraft, regardless of age, are safe,” said AOPA’s Luis Gutierrez. The rate of accidents due to mechanical causes has remained stable over the past 20 years, he said. AOPA said the best way to increase GA safety and improve the maintenance of older aircraft is to educate pilots and aircraft owners. “Right now, there is a general consensus that more maintenance data needs to be made available to aircraft owners and A&Ps to ensure that aircraft are properly maintained,” Gutierrez said.
Aging GA Aircraft And The FAA
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA hosted an Aging Aircraft Summit to discuss regulating and ensuring the safety of the general aviation fleet, which averages 35 years old.
- Representatives from AOPA and EAA argued against additional regulations, stating that GA aircraft, regardless of age, are safe with stable mechanical accident rates over the past 20 years.
- Instead of new regulations, the consensus is that improving GA safety and maintenance for older aircraft requires enhanced education for pilots and aircraft owners, and better access to maintenance data for owners and A&Ps.
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