FAA Revises Part 23

The FAA December 16 released its long-awaited final rule making significant revisions to small aircraft certification standards. The new FAR Part 23 rule addresses how airplanes weighing up to 19,000 pounds can be certified and implements performance-based airworthiness requirements instead of the prescriptive design requirements it replaces. It apparently offers little regulatory relief to owners or operators of existing or aging aircraft. Given the scope of the rule changes, the FAA is delaying its implementation eight months, to August 30, 2017.

Key Takeaways:

• The FAA released a significantly revised Part 23 rule for small aircraft certification, adopting performance-based airworthiness requirements to facilitate new aircraft models and safety upgrades, but explicitly providing little immediate regulatory relief for existing or aging aircraft.
• A series of fatal general aviation accidents occurred at the end of 2016, with early statistics suggesting no substantial safety improvements compared to the previous year.
• The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) published five key tips for safer winter flying, including reviewing TALPA/RCAM, utilizing FICON NOTAMs, confirming avionics compatibility, carefully handling cold-soaked airplanes, and ensuring pilot-made go/no-go decisions.

Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->

See a mistake? Contact us.