AGING GA AIRCRAFT NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, AOPA REITERATES

AOPA wants to make it perfectly clear to the FAA that older general aviation aircraft are still safe. Life limits or other mandatory regulations aren't needed. "One troubling theory expressed recently is the notion that the aging general aviation fleet poses an increasing threat to aviation safety. This is simply not true," said Andy Cebula, AOPA executive vice president of government affairs. "A review by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation shows that the problem of mechanical or maintenance failure due to age is actually declining." Cebula credited efforts by the FAA and AOPA to educate pilots and owners on maintenance issues for the 39-percent reduction in the number of mechanically related accidents over the past 20 years, despite an increase in the average age of the general aviation fleet. "AOPA is committed to safety. That is why we ask that the FAA continue to pursue a non-regulatory approach to ensuring the continued airworthiness of the aging general aviation fleet, one that is data driven and based on sound risk management practices that will yield affordable solutions," said Cebula. See AOPA Online.