New NPRM Would Make Add-On Components Cost-Prohibitive

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would make it nearly impossible for general aviation pilots to mount portable GPS systems in their planes, according to the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association.

AOPA states the FAA's proposal would make it illegal for manufacturers to produce a replacement or modification part -- such as a panel dock, and connective wiring -— needed to mount your portable GPS if they know (or should know) the part would end up installed in a certified aircraft -- that is, unless they obtain production approval from the agency. But that costs tens of thousands of dollars, something many companies can't afford.

Representatives with the 410,000-member strong organization agree such production approval is needed for critical parts, like connecting rods and cylinders... but it isn't needed for non-critical parts like a portable GPS panel dock, or traffic detector that enhance pilot safety.

"This [rule] would basically require any person who manufactures a part, like a light bulb, smoke detector, entertainment system, or other non-critical part that has not been identified as a 'standard or commercial part' to obtain a production approval from the FAA if the part is to be installed in a type-certificated product," said Luis Gutierrez, Regulation and Certification Policy Director for AOPA, in formal comments opposing the proposed rule.

Also under the rule, parts listed on the design approval for one aircraft couldn't be used as a replacement in another aircraft.

As an example, AOPA puts forth the following scenario: Cessna installs GE light bulbs in the aircraft's instrument panel, and lists the bulb in its design approval. That approval would mean that same type of light bulb couldn't be used to replace the burned out one in your old Bonanza.

Such proposed rules "would substantially increase the cost of general aviation parts and unnecessarily stifle the development and availability of safety and operational enhancement modifications," Gutierrez told the FAA. "AOPA requests that the FAA revise this proposal to ensure that replacement and modification parts remain affordable and available to GA aircraft owners."

FMI: View The Full FAA NPRM, View AOPA's Response