The Demand for Single Engine Piston Aircraft,
Abstract
The general aviation manufacturing industry has experienced a continuous decline for the last six years, particularly in single engine piston aircraft, which dropped from 13,266 units shipped in 1979 to 985 in 1986. This decline has resulted from increasing costs, soaring product liability costs, over production in the peak years, and reduction in the number of student pilots, private pilots and flight schools. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is interested in the future of general aviation activity because it would impact workload and facilities needs. This report specifically addresses future impacts on Flight Service Stations. The study includes a historical review of the industry, a survey of its current status, and an assessment of its future direction. It concludes that techniques for forecasting future activity must be adapted to the changing environment. With the reversal of past trends, traditional methods no longer produce valid results. Sales of single engine piston aircraft will increase only when the current surplus of low-time used aircraft is absorbed or becomes technologically obsolete. They are not expected to return to previous peaks due to an aging population, changing life styles, increasing urbanization, and the availability of commercial aviation. Flight Service Station (FSS) workloads are changing due to the changing nature of general aviation activity, as well as automation, consolidation, and changing responsibilities. New FSS workload measures are necessary to reflect these changes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA188768
Entities
People
- David Rubin
- Regina Van Duzee