The US Federal Aviation Administration has turned down an industry request to relax safety regulations for operators of small turboprops.
The appeal was launched by Regional Aviation Partners (RAP), an industry group founded by Mesa Airlines in April 2001, which includes airlines, manufacturers and airport operators. RAP says the 1997 switch from Part 135 to Part 121 regulations, bringing small turboprop operators into line with those of larger aircraft, has made many 19-seat aircraft "too expensive to operate profitably", and last year petitioned for the return of Part 135 rules.
The new harmonised regulations require safety measures including weather radar, safety officers, standardised de-icing programmes, fireproof seats and floor lighting, at a cost of "tens of millions of dollars", Mesa says.
The exemption would have allowed airlines operating aircraft with fewer than 31 seats within the USA to return to the looser Part 135 rules. RAP has argued the rule change has not improved turboprop safety.
Source: Flight International
