LEE'S SUMMIT, MISSOURI, Dec. 16, 2016 -- Following today's announcement in Washington, D.C., by the Federal Aviation Administration that it has completed its work on the Part 23 rulemaking effort, Aircraft Electronics Association President Paula Derks issued the following statement.
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AEA President Paula Derks |
"The Aircraft Electronics Association commends the FAA for completing its work on the Part 23 rulemaking effort," said AEA President Paula Derks. "While the rulemaking's primary focus is a proactive shift to proportional and objective-based rules within the Part 23 framework that will have a significant effect on the next generation of general aviation aircraft, the retrofit industry has already benefited from this long-awaited shift to proportional rulemaking.
"There are many elements to this decade-long rulemaking effort that deserve comment, but one of the most important is the concept and application of a safety continuum. In particular, the application of the safety continuum in certification of retrofit products that are bringing safety-enhancing technology into the light general aviation cockpit at a price that is appropriate for these older aircraft.
"Examples of this proportional and objective-based rulemaking include the recent application of this philosophy with products manufactured by Garmin and the retrofit STC by the Experimental Aircraft Association for attitude indicator replacements. Without the fundamental change in philosophy brought about by the Part 23 rulemaking effort, these products would not have been possible.
"The AEA believes that this is a significant breakthrough and looks forward to the expansion of these philosophies into rotorcraft as well as transport category aircraft, where appropriate."
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Founded in 1957, the Aircraft Electronics Association represents nearly 1,300 member companies in more than 40 countries, including approved maintenance organizations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of aircraft electronics systems in general aviation aircraft. The AEA membership also includes manufacturers of aircraft electronics equipment, instrument repair facilities, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, engineers and educational institutions.