Helping FAA Develop Plan For Vintage Planes

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and EAA's Warbirds of America division tell Aero-News both organizations are doing their part to  help the Federal Aviation Administration develop a "road map" to keep warbird and vintage aircraft flying for years to come.

During EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006, FAA officials and the EAA organizations discussed the most recent draft of the FAA Draft Road Map, designed to preserve the operation of these aircraft throughout the country. In the weeks immediately following AirVenture, EAA's Industry and Regulatory Affairs Department and the Warbirds of America's Advocacy Committee thoroughly reviewed the draft and made numerous recommendations to enhance the document.

"Beyond the value of these aircraft as treasured artifacts, these aircraft are still workhorses in transportation, research and development, and flying exhibitions," said Earl Lawrence, EAA's vice president of industry and regulatory affairs. "We are all committed to the same goal -- keeping these wonderful aircraft flying safely. EAA and the Warbirds of America seek to make the final FAA Road Map a document an effective preservation blueprint for the aviation community."

EAA and the Warbirds of America made recommendations in areas such as Experimental/Exhibition (former military) category helicopters; flight simulators as flight procedure training devices; documented maintenance records; and expertise and oversight in aging aircraft, especially where the original aircraft or component manufacturer no longer exists.

The complete list of recommendations and comments is available at the first FMI link below.

FMI: www.warbirds-eaa.org/eaa_woa_comments.pdf, www.eaa.org