Responding to AOPA and other industry groups, the FAA has developed "best practices" guidance for maintaining aging GA aircraft, instead of writing more burdensome regulations. The FAA is going to press next month with its new guide, Best-Practice Guide for Maintaining Aging General Aviation Airplanes. It will provide owners with best-maintenance practices for older GA airplanes. AOPA, the FAA, several aircraft type clubs, and other aviation organizations collaborated to publish the reference.
"AOPA felt it was critical to be involved, along with type clubs and others, in developing this guidance," said Luis Gutierrez, AOPA director of regulatory and certification policy. "Best of all, the FAA will automatically mail the guide to all registered owners of single- and multiengine GA airplanes produced on or before 1974."
The non-regulatory handbook includes tips for conducting records searches and inspection routines for older aircraft. It urges pilots to contact aircraft type clubs for additional information on specific makes and models of older GA airplanes. The FAA's publication date is slated for late September, at which time it will also be available to AOPA members at AOPA Online.
Meanwhile, an article in the September issue of AOPA Pilot magazine provides a look at aging aircraft issues. That issue will be in member's mailboxes next week.
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