How to Minimize the Risk of Flying Older Aircraft

The instrument panel will give you baseline information on how the aircraft performs, for example, altitude, engine rpm, and oil pressure. What the gauges do not tell you, however, is the state of the structure under the fabric. The 100-hour and annual inspections allow your maintenance professional to peel the onion, so to speak, and inspect the inner structure of your airplane. Just think of what these aircraft have seen over the past 75 years.

Routine inspections may not be sufficient to address every aspect of the aircraft's condition. Production of the older airframes came long before modern maintenance technology, such as some non-destructive testing (NDT). The aircraft's operation could also affect the structure, such as flying at low altitudes while inspecting powerlines. For this reason, The FAA publishes the Best Practices Guide for Maintaining Aging General Aviation Airplanes. This document is an excellent supplemental resource for maintaining older aircraft. Maintenance matters, and working with a trusted professional to adhere to or exceed manufacturers' guidelines will keep your airplane healthy and flying for years.

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