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:

Aviation in 2018 faced significant challenges including a failed attempt to privatize Air Traffic Control, impending ADS-B compliance deadlines, and contentious issues like high FBO fees and the closure of Santa Monica Airport.
The year also saw triumphs such as the Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet winning the Collier Trophy, record-breaking safety statistics for general aviation, and the introduction of more affordable digital retrofit avionics.
Emerging technologies, particularly the rise of drones, presented major regulatory and integration complexities, while concepts for autonomous air taxis ("Ubers of the Skies") highlighted future, albeit speculative, shifts in air mobility.
A robust airline hiring market, driven by pilot retirements and increased demand, created highly favorable conditions and increased opportunities for qualified pilots.

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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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