Once again the Federal Aviation Authority stands accused of halting aviation innovation, with industry insiders blaming the authority for holding back the development of electric planes. The culprit is a specific phrase in the pages and pages of FAA flying rules, which says that all planes in the Light Sports Aircraft (LSA) class must have “a single, reciprocating engine, if powered.” In one fell swoop, this single phrase prohibits battery-powered LSAs from taking to the skies. FAA officials say that the phrase was supposed to prevent planes with powerful turbine engines from being allowed to fly — the banning of electric planes is just an unfortunate by-product of that legislation
The benefits of electric planes are obvious — there is the compelling environmental argument, first of all, and also the relative quiet of the planes compared to their gas-powered counterparts. The planes are also good for training pilots. And, most exciting of all, they promise a future where more than just the super-rich will be able to afford private planes. So what is the problem? The FAA says “the technological and training issues for certification and operation of electric engines go beyond the intent for simple, easy-to-maintain, recreational aircraft.” In other words, they think they are too complicated. The authority’s position doesn’t appear to have changed much since 2009, when it said it was “reluctant to introduce new technology on a less experienced pilot population”.
This is just another example of how the FAA stifles innovation with its endless bureaucracy and over-cautious approach. As an article in AirFacts Journal says, this approach has resulted in missed opportunities since as far back as 2010 to make it the “Year of the Electric Aircraft.” As we move into the last quarter of 2015 it doesn’t seem like this year will be the one either, but in the meantime aviation enthusiasts and environmentalists alike will continue to hope the authority will get with the times.
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