FAA to Review Regs on Part 23 Aircraft

In a series of public meetings, the FAA will investigate possible changes to policy rulemaking for aircraft certified under FAR Part 23. As well as certification standards, the review is expected to encompass maintenance and operations. The review comes on the heels of a two-year study, based on the fact that, "The last thorough review of Part 23 requirements occurred more than 25 years ago," said the FAA. "These efforts will affect the next 20 years of small airplane design, certification and operations." Among the recommendations of the study is that design, certification and operational parameters should be based on the aircraft's performance and complexity, rather than the form of propulsion and weight as is the case now.