The US Federal Aviation Administration is proposing setting limits on airliner age for the first time, in a bid to prevent fatigue damage.
Earlier this week, the FAA issued a notice for proposed rulemaking (NPRM) detailing several anti-fatigue damage measures. Among them is a requirement to establish operational maxima on all aircraft cetrificated in the transport category. These life limits would go beyond the current maintenance obligations, based on cycles. At present manufacturers estimate a service life, but there are no restrictions on flying the aircraft beyond that if it meets safety checks.
The FAA will have to work with all manufacturers and those who hold the design rights for older types, to establish a final rule on whether such absolute maxima are needed. After that each type coudl be issued an operational life limit at time of certification, based on cycles and years in service.
The new rule, if adopted, would lower resale values of aircraft, which would have to be operated outside the USA and Europe, which has similar rules. The FAA estimates the cost to airline industry at $330 million over 20 years, with an additional $30 million cost to airframers.
Source: Flight International
