CASA focuses on ageing aircraft problems

CASA has launched a special project to determine if Australia has an ageing aircraft problem.

The aim is to “examine a wide range of ageing aircraft issues”, including safety, reliability, maintainability, economy and liability.

CASA says that the current average age of light aircraft (both single- and twin-engined) is 30 years, with 97 per cent of the twins older than the typical 20-year design life.

There are also more than a few ageing turboprops operating in regional arenas.

CASA’s aim is to “identify at what point an increase in the age of an aircraft results in unacceptable consequences”.

The process will involve the usual wide-ranging consultation with industry parties; and while individual submissions haven’t been specifically invited, they are likely to be welcome as long as they have relevance.