Top 10 General Aviation Stories Of The Year

Here are the blockbuster aviation stories of a remarkable 2018 for GA.

Plane & Pilot

Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 05:08 AM ET

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Plane flies by control tower.

Key Takeaways:

2018 presented significant challenges for general aviation, including a successful fight against ATC privatization, ongoing issues with ADS-B compliance, and battles over FBO fees and airport closures.
The year also saw notable triumphs, such as Cirrus Aircraft's Vision Jet winning the Collier Trophy, general aviation achieving its safest year on record, and a strong pilot hiring market.
Emerging technologies like drones created regulatory complexities and safety concerns, while advancements in low-cost digital avionics and the development of autonomous "flying taxis" pointed towards future innovations.

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3. Safest Year In Aviation!Ever

Airplane in hanger. — Aviation had safest year ever.

According to the AOPA Air Safety Institute, 2016 was the safest year in GA history. While there are various explanations for why we’ve seen such a decline in accidents—no one seems shy about rushing in and taking credit—the truth is that there are dozens of possible contributors. The bottom line is a wonder to behold. In 2016, accidents were down by 57 percent compared to a baseline standard that averaged accident rates for a five-year period from 2001 to 2005. Fatal accidents in 2016 were 41 percent lower than during that same baseline period. The even better news? Based on data trends, 2017 looks as though it could be safer still.

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