New FAA airliner service life rule

[Chris Kennedy]

The FAA has decided they're going to limit the service life of airliners. However, typical of them, they are going to let the airlines and manufactures set the limits. Also typical, they are giving them five years to come up with the numbers.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/11/12/fatigue.damage/

[Paul Dumm]

Lets see
Airlines=25years
Boeing= 5years
us= paying VERRY high ticket pirces to buy new planes

[John B.]

Considering the number of old airframes in service--KC-135s, B-52s, and the older 727s and 737s that are still around, etc.--this won't be that traumatic.  Hopefully it will be a matter of applying what is already known rather than reinventing the wheel.  Of course it is harder to bill for what is already known, but Boeing should have an advantage here as there aren't any Airbus as old as many Boeing aircraft that are still flying.

[Paul Dumm]

My reply was about FAA makeing the rules and letting other set the limits, That like a Judge let the inmate pick how long in will be in prison for.

[John B.]

My reply was about FAA makeing the rules and letting other set the limits, That like a Judge let the inmate pick how long in will be in prison for.

Definitely a fair point, sir!  I wouldn't necessarily argue it.  But, if flyers decide they don't want to fly in cracking rustbuckets, the airlines will suffer very quickly.  If customers percieve that an airline is unsafe, they will fly a competitor that is perceived to be safer and has an airfleet that doesn't shed its wings from time to time.  I am sure that most airlines recognize (most of the time) that killing passengers is bad for business! 

[Paul Dumm]

Very true John.