Briefing: April 2010

The AOPA Air Safety Foundations annual Nall Report found an increase in accidents involving amateur-built aircraft. The statistics from 2008 showed the highest rate of fatal accidents and fatalities in 10 years. The 27-percent lethality rate in these accidents was 10 full percentage points higher than that for accidents in type-certificated airplanes, according to the report.

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, January 06, 2015 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Accidents involving amateur-built aircraft saw a significant rise in 2008, reporting the highest fatal accident rate and fatalities in a decade, with a much higher lethality compared to certified planes.
The Air Force plans new, layered restricted airspace for military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), while the NTSB recommends mandatory cockpit voice recorder data review for commercial operators to monitor pilot performance.
Development of lead-free 100LL aviation fuel alternatives is progressing, with Embry-Riddle testing a biofuel and General Aviation Modifications (GAMI) pursuing a petroleum-based solution.
A Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Social Security Administration improperly disclosed a pilot's medical records to the FAA, violating his privacy rights.

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Homebuilt accident rate rises
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation’s annual Nall Report found an increase in accidents involving amateur-built aircraft. The statistics from 2008 showed the highest rate of fatal accidents and fatalities in 10 years. “The 27-percent lethality rate in these accidents was 10 full percentage points higher than that for accidents in type-certificated airplanes,” according to the report.

A New kind of restricted airspace for a new kind of military flying
The Air Force has a plan to create some large, new restricted areas near Grand Forks, N.D., for military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The proposal is to restrict the airspace in three layers: The bottom layer would be from 6000 to 10,000 feet MSL, a second layer from 10,000 to 14,000 feet, and a third layer from 14,000 to 18,000. When one section was being used by a UAV, civilian aircraft could freely use the other two levels. Several transit areas are also proposed.