FAA Issues Final Rule on Small Airplane Safety Standards
The rule will streamline approval of new technology, according to the agency
The FAA has issued a final rule that makes big changes to standards for small aviation airplanes. According to the news release, this rule will reduce the time it takes to move new technology for small planes into the marketplace, as well as reduce cost.
“Aviation manufacturing is our nation’s top export and general aviation alone contributes approximately $80 billion and 400,000 jobs to our economy,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “The FAA’s rule replaces prescriptive design requirements with performance-based standards, which will reduce costs and leverage innovation without sacrificing safety.”
The rule will recognize consensus-based compliance methods for new technology, as well as add certification standards for loss of control accidents and in-flight icing conditions.
“The rule is a model of what we can accomplish for American competitiveness when government and industry work together and demonstrates that we can simultaneously enhance safety and reduce burdens on industry,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.