News Archive

AOPA answers turbine pilots' TAWS questions

In just 90 days, on March 30, 2005, anyone who owns or operates a turbine-powered airplane that carries six passengers (not counting pilot or copilot) must have a terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS) installed or face the grounding of their aircraft. The looming deadline is prompting an increasing number of questions to AOPA's Pilot Information Center (800/USA-AOPA), so AOPA aviation technical specialists and regulatory affairs staff have prepared a frequently asked questions page for AOPA members.

"Turbine-powered airplanes make up barely 7 percent of the general aviation fleet," said Woody Cahall, AOPA's vice president of aviation services. "But for most people who fly them, they're a vital business tool. So we want to be sure that we address the needs and questions of our turbine members as well."

FAR 91.223, which establishes the TAWS requirement, went into effect on March 29, 2002, and gave pilots of existing turbine-powered aircraft a three-year grace period. After March 29, 2005, affected aircraft that have not been outfitted with a TAWS unit may not legally operate.

December 28, 2004