Maintaining Out-of-Production Aircraft

Here's what to do when the manufacturer of your airplane closes its doors.

Richard Scarbrough

Thursday, September 07, 2023 at 04:55 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Maintaining vintage aircraft whose manufacturers are no longer in business is possible due to new FAA programs and established aviation maintenance tools.
The new Vintage Aircraft Replacement and Modification Article (VARMA) program simplifies the approval process for "low-risk," off-the-shelf replacement parts for pre-1980 aircraft weighing under 12,500 pounds.
Owners of out-of-production aircraft can also leverage existing methods like PMA, DER repairs, STCs, TSOs, and community resources to ensure their aircraft remain airworthy and approved for flight.

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Someday, you may need a plan for the day you learn that your airplane manufacturer closes the doors for good.

While it is doubtful the Textron Aviations of the world will shutter, other platforms are not so lucky. The trouble is you still have to maintain “in accordance with.” The truth is that some older aircraft are super cool, and it seems an absolute shame to grind them up for scrap when they operate perfectly fine.