It was a year filled with big news stories that not only helped to reshape the general aviation landscape but will almost certainly continue to do so for many years to come. The past 12 months have seen aircraft milestones, major changes to FAA regulations and a presidential election unlike any we have witnessed in our lifetimes. How these changes will affect general aviation we won’t fully know for some time, but it’s obvious we are now at a crossroads that will lead us down a new path. Here are the stories and events Flying covered in 2016 that we’ll all look back on as the touchstones for transformative change.
Flying’s Top 20 Aviation Stories of 2016
Key Takeaways:
- 2016 marked a period of significant regulatory transformation in general aviation, including the FAA's release of commercial drone rules (Part 107), launch of the ADS-B rebate program, passage of Third-Class Medical Reform, and the impending rewrite of Part 23 certification standards.
- The year saw major advancements and certifications in aircraft, notably the world's first single-engine personal jet, the Cirrus Vision Jet, the start of HondaJet deliveries, and the introduction of updated models like the Daher TBM 930, Piper M600, and Mooney Ultra series.
- Key industry developments included a Chinese company acquiring a majority stake in Diamond Aircraft, initial production delays for the Icon A5, and ongoing battles over the future of general aviation airports such as Santa Monica.
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