“Both EAA and the NTSB know that we must improve the accident record of amateur-built aircraft,” said EAA President Rod Hightower on Tuesday evening, in a video response to the safety board’s report released earlier that day. However, he said, some of the NTSB’s recommendations to the FAA, which could result in more regulations, are “worrisome.” For example, the NTSB wants new regulations for testing engine performance and for documenting flight tests in amateur-built aircraft. “At EAA, we do not believe that more regulation is the answer … Education, versus new regulation, is a better solution,” Hightower said.
The four recommendations the NTSB aimed at EAA would expand on programs that are already in place, Hightower said. EAA’s Homebuilt Aircraft Council will continue to study the recommendations for what effect they may have on the design, building and certification of amateur-built aircraft. “Any action must ensure that the freedom to participate in the amateur-built aircraft community does not create additional burdens or hurdles,” EAA said in its news release.
