Jump to content

General aviation: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
Retract merger proposal
No edit summary
(36 intermediate revisions by 21 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Civil use of aircraft excluding commercial transportation}}
{{short description|Civil use of aircraft excluding commercial transportation}}
{{for|the 1930s U.S. aircraft manufacturer named General Aviation|Atlantic Aircraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
[[File:General aviation aircraft at Cheb Airport (LKCB).jpg|thumb|General aviation aircraft at [[Cheb Airport]], [[Czech Republic]]]]
[[File:General aviation aircraft at Cheb Airport (LKCB).jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|General aviation aircraft at [[Cheb Airport]] in [[Czech Republic]]]]
'''General aviation''' ('''GA''') is defined by the [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] (ICAO) as all [[civil aviation]] aircraft operations except for [[commercial air transport]] or aerial work, which is defined as specialized aviation services for other purposes.<ref name="ICAO1">{{cite book|chapter-url=https://www.verifavia.com/bases/ressource_pdf/299/icao-annex-6-part-i.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112170423/http://www.verifavia.com/bases/ressource_pdf/299/icao-annex-6-part-i.pdf |archive-date=2015-01-12 |url-status=live|title=Annex 6, Operation of Aircraft Part I, International Commercial Air Transport – Aeroplanes|edition=9|date=July 2010|publisher=International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)|chapter=1. Definitions|pages=1, 3 and 5|isbn=9789292315368|access-date=17 March 2019}}</ref> However, for statistical purposes, ICAO uses a definition of general aviation which includes aerial work.<ref name="ICAO2">{{cite web|url=https://www.icao.int/Meetings/STA10/Documents/Sta10_Wp007_en.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209030308/http://www.icao.int/Meetings/STA10/Documents/Sta10_Wp007_en.pdf |archive-date=2015-02-09 |url-status=live|access-date=17 June 2020|title=ICAO web site}}</ref>


General aviation thus represents the "[[private transport]]" and recreational components of aviation,<ref name="IAOPA">{{cite web|url=https://www.iaopa.eu/what-is-general-aviation|title=What is General Aviation; Definition|publisher=The International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA)|access-date=16 March 2019}}</ref> most of which is accomplished with [[light aircraft]].
'''General aviation''' ('''GA''') is defined by the [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] (ICAO) as all [[civil aviation]] aircraft operations with the exception of [[commercial air transport]] or aerial work.<ref name="ICAO1">{{cite book|chapter-url=https://www.verifavia.com/bases/ressource_pdf/299/icao-annex-6-part-i.pdf|title=Annex 6, Operation of Aircraft Part I, International Commercial Air Transport – Aeroplanes|edition=9|date=July 2010|publisher=International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)|chapter=1. Definitions|pages=1, 3 and 5|isbn=9789292315368|access-date=17 March 2019}}</ref> However for statistical purposes ICAO uses a definition of general aviation which includes aerial work.<ref name="ICAO2">{{cite web|url=https://www.icao.int/Meetings/STA10/Documents/Sta10_Wp007_en.pdf|access-date=17 June 2020|title=ICAO web site}}</ref>

General aviation thus represents the "[[private transport]]" and recreational components of aviation.<ref name="IAOPA">{{cite web|url=https://www.iaopa.eu/what-is-general-aviation|title=What is General Aviation; Definition|publisher=The International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA)|access-date=16 March 2019}}</ref>


==Definition==
==Definition==
{{multiple image
{{multiple image
| align = right
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| direction = vertical
| width =
| width =
| image1 = Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, Private JP6817606.jpg
| image1 = Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, Private JP6817606.jpg
| width1 = 220
| width1 = 220
| caption1 = [[Cessna 172]], [[most produced aircraft|most-produced aircraft]] in history
| caption1 = [[Cessna 172]], the [[most produced aircraft|most-produced aircraft]] in history
| image2 = Cirrus SR22 ZS-CPB (2) (21833428109).jpg
| image2 = Cirrus SR22 ZS-CPB (2) (21833428109).jpg
| width2 = 220
| width2 = 220
| caption2 = [[Cirrus SR22]], most-produced GA aircraft of the 21st century
| caption2 = [[Cirrus SR22]], the most-produced GA aircraft of the 21st century
}}
}}
[[File:OO-FLN.JPG|thumb|[[Cessna CitationJet/M2]], a part of the [[Citation family]] of [[business jets]]]]
[[File:OO-FLN.JPG|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Cessna CitationJet/M2]], part of the [[Citation family]] of [[business jets]]]]
[[File:PH-1274 Rolladen-Schneider LS-4b.JPG|thumb|[[Sailplane]] ([[Rolladen-Schneider LS4]])]]
[[File:PH-1274 Rolladen-Schneider LS-4b.JPG|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Sailplane]], a [[Rolladen-Schneider LS4]]]]
[[File:Robinson R22 Beta Heli Travaux, BBJ Bitburg (Bitburg Air Base), Germany PP1278146759.jpg|thumb|[[Robinson R22]], a light piston-engine [[helicopter]]]]
[[File:Robinson R22 Beta, Heli Travaux JP6883626.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Robinson R22]], a light piston-engine [[helicopter]]]]
{{multiple image
{{multiple image
| total_width = 375
| total_width = 375
| image1 = Paraglider at Cochrane Hill, AB, Canada.jpg
| image1 = Paraglider at Cochrane Hill, AB, Canada.jpg
| caption1 = [[Paraglider]] in flight
| caption1 = [[Paraglider]] in flight
| image2 = 2006 Ojiya balloon festival 011.jpg
| image2 = 2006 Ojiya balloon festival 011.jpg
| caption2 = [[Hot air balloon]] in flight
| caption2 = [[Hot air balloon]] in flight
}}
}}


The [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] (ICAO) defines civil aviation aircraft operations in three categories: General Aviation (GA), Aerial Work (AW) and Commercial Air Transport (CAT).<ref name="ICAO1" /><ref name="IAOPA" /> Aerial work operations are separated from general aviation by ICAO by this definition. Aerial work activities include agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, search and rescue, and aerial advertisement. However for statistical purposes ICAO includes aerial work within general aviation, and has proposed officially extending the definition of general aviation to include aerial work, to reflect common usage.<ref name="ICAO2" /><ref name="ICAO1" /> The proposed ICAO classification includes [[flight training|instructional flying]] as part of general aviation (non-aerial-work).
The [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] (ICAO) defines civil aviation aircraft operations in three categories: General Aviation (GA), Aerial Work (AW) and Commercial Air Transport (CAT).<ref name="ICAO1" /><ref name="IAOPA" /> Aerial work operations are separated from general aviation by ICAO by this definition. Aerial work is when an aircraft is used for specialized services such as agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, search and rescue, and aerial advertisement. However, for statistical purposes ICAO includes aerial work within general aviation, and has proposed officially extending the definition of general aviation to include aerial work, to reflect common usage.<ref name="ICAO2" /><ref name="ICAO1" /> The proposed ICAO classification includes [[flight training|instructional flying]] as part of general aviation (non-aerial-work).


The [[International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations]] (IAOPA) refers to the category as General Aviation/Aerial Work (GA/AW) to avoid ambiguity. Their definition of General Aviation includes:<ref name="IAOPA" />
The International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA) refers to the category as general aviation/aerial work (GA/AW) to avoid ambiguity. Their definition of general aviation includes:<ref name="IAOPA" />


*Corporate Aviation: Company own-use flight operations
*Corporate aviation: company own-use flight operations
*Fractional Ownership Operations: aircraft operated by a specialized company on behalf of two or more co-owners
*Fractional ownership operations: aircraft operated by a specialized company on behalf of two or more co-owners
*Business Aviation (or Travel): self-flown for business purposes
*Business aviation (or travel): self-flown for business purposes
*Personal/Private Travel: travel for personal reasons/personal transport
*Personal/private travel: travel for personal reasons/personal transport
*Air Tourism: self-flown incoming/outgoing tourism
*Air tourism: self-flown incoming/outgoing tourism
*Recreational Flying: powered/powerless leisure flying activities
*Recreational flying: powered/powerless leisure flying activities
*Air Sports: Aerobatics, Air Races, Competitions, Rallies etc.<ref name="IAOPA"/>
*[[Air sports]]: [[aerobatics]], [[Air racing|air races]], competitions, rallies, etc.<ref name="IAOPA"/>


General aviation thus includes both [[commercial aviation|commercial]] and [[Private aviation|non-commercial]] activities.
IAOPA's definition of Aerial Work includes but is not limited to:<ref name="IAOPA"/>
*Agricultural Flights, including [[aerial application|crop dusting]]
*Banner Towing
*Fire Fighting
*Medical Evacuations
*Pilot Training
*Search and Rescue
*Sight Seeing Flights
*Skydiver Hoisting#
*Transplant Organ Transports


IAOPA's definition of aerial work includes, but is not limited to:<ref name="IAOPA"/>
Commercial Air Transport includes:
*Scheduled Air Services
*Non-Scheduled Air Transport
*Air Cargo Services
*Air Taxi Operations
However in some countries Air Taxi is regarded as being part of GA/AW.


*[[Agricultural aircraft|Agricultural flights]], including [[aerial application|crop dusting]]
Private flights are made in a wide variety of aircraft: [[light aircraft|light]] and [[ultra-light aircraft|ultra-light]] aircraft, [[light sport aircraft|sport aircraft]], [[homebuilt aircraft]], [[business aircraft]] (like [[business jets|private jets]]), [[Glider aircraft|gliders]] and [[helicopters]].<ref name="IAOPA" /> Flights can be carried out under both [[Visual flight rules|visual flight]] (VFR) and [[Instrument flight rules|instrument flight]] (IFR) rules, and can use controlled airspace with permission.
*[[Banner towing]]
*[[Aerial firefighting]]
*[[Medical evacuation]]
*[[Pilot training]]
*[[Search and rescue]]
*[[Sight seeing]] flights
*[[Skydiving]] flights
*[[Organ transplant]] transport flights

Commercial air transport includes:

*[[Scheduled airline|Scheduled air services]]
*[[Air charter|Non-scheduled air transport]]
*[[Air cargo]] services
*[[Air taxi]] operations

However, in some countries, air taxi is regarded as being part of GA/AW.

Private flights are made in a wide variety of aircraft: [[light aircraft|light]] and [[ultra-light aircraft|ultra-light]] aircraft, [[light sport aircraft|sport aircraft]], [[homebuilt aircraft]], [[business aircraft]] (like [[business jets|private jets]]), [[Glider aircraft|gliders]] and [[helicopters]].<ref name="IAOPA" /> Flights can be carried out under both [[Visual flight rules|visual flight]] and [[Instrument flight rules|instrument flight]] rules, and can use [[controlled airspace]] with permission.


The majority of the world's air traffic falls into the category of general aviation, and most of the world's airports serve GA exclusively.<ref name="IAOPA"/> [[Flying club]]s are considered a part of general aviation.
The majority of the world's air traffic falls into the category of general aviation, and most of the world's airports serve GA exclusively.<ref name="IAOPA"/> [[Flying club]]s are considered a part of general aviation.


==Geography==
==Geography==

===Europe===
===Europe===
{{main|General aviation in Europe}}
{{main|General aviation in Europe}}
In 2003, the [[European Aviation Safety Agency]] was established as the central EU regulator, taking over responsibility for legislating airworthiness and environmental regulation from the national authorities.<ref>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/StrategicReviewGA.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221023744/https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/StrategicReviewGA.pdf |archive-date=2016-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Strategic Review of General Aviation in the UK|date=July 2006|publisher=[[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|CAA]]|pages=52–53, paras. 5.18–5.24|chapter=5|access-date=19 December 2016}}</ref>

In 2003 the [[European Aviation Safety Agency]] (EASA) was established as the central EU regulator, taking over responsibility for legislating airworthiness and environmental regulation from the national authorities.<ref>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/StrategicReviewGA.pdf|title=Strategic Review of General Aviation in the UK|date=July 2006|publisher=[[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|CAA]]|pages=52–53, paras. 5.18–5.24|chapter=5|access-date=19 December 2016}}</ref>


====United Kingdom====
====United Kingdom====
{{main|General aviation in the United Kingdom}}
{{main|General aviation in the United Kingdom}}
Of the 21,000 civil aircraft registered in the United Kingdom,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.caa.co.uk/uploadedFiles/CAA/Content/Standard_Content/Data_and_analysis/Datasets/Aircraft_register/CofA/UK%20registered%20aircraft%20by%20class%20weight%20and%20CofA%202010.pdf|title=UK Registered Aircraft January 2010|publisher=[[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|CAA]]|access-date=19 December 2016|archive-date=25 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525172901/https://www.caa.co.uk/uploadedFiles/CAA/Content/Standard_Content/Data_and_analysis/Datasets/Aircraft_register/CofA/UK%20registered%20aircraft%20by%20class%20weight%20and%20CofA%202010.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> 96 percent are engaged in GA operations, and annually the GA fleet accounts for between 1.25 and 1.35 million hours flown. There are 28,000 [[Private Pilot Licence|private pilot licence]] holders, and 10,000 [[Gliding#Badges|certified glider pilots]]. Some of the 19,000 pilots who hold professional licences are also engaged in GA activities. GA operates from more than 1,800 airports and landing sites or [[aerodrome]]s, ranging in size from large [[regional airport]]s to farm strips.


GA is regulated by the [[Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom|Civil Aviation Authority]]. The main focus is on standards of [[airworthiness]] and [[Pilot licensing in the United Kingdom|pilot licensing]], and the objective is to promote high standards of safety.
Of the 21,000 civil aircraft registered in the UK,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.caa.co.uk/uploadedFiles/CAA/Content/Standard_Content/Data_and_analysis/Datasets/Aircraft_register/CofA/UK%20registered%20aircraft%20by%20class%20weight%20and%20CofA%202010.pdf|title=UK Registered Aircraft January 2010|publisher=[[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|CAA]]|access-date=19 December 2016}}</ref> 96 percent are engaged in GA operations, and annually the GA fleet accounts for between 1.25 and 1.35 million hours flown. There are 28,000 [[Private Pilot Licence]] holders, and 10,000 [[Gliding#Badges|certified glider pilots]]. Some of the 19,000 pilots who hold professional licences are also engaged in GA activities. GA operates from more than 1,800 airports and landing sites or [[aerodrome]]s, ranging in size from large [[regional airport]]s to farm strips.

GA is regulated by the [[Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom|Civil Aviation Authority]] (CAA). The main focus is on standards of [[airworthiness]] and [[Pilot licensing in the United Kingdom|pilot licensing]], and the objective is to promote high standards of safety.


===North America===
===North America===
General aviation is particularly popular in North America, with over 6,300 airports available for public use by pilots of general aviation aircraft (around 5,200 airports in the [[United States|U.S.]] and over 1,000 in [[Canada]]<ref name="CFS">[[Nav Canada]]: ''Canada Flight Supplement - Canada and North Atlantic Terminal and Enroute Data'' Nav Canada, 2010.</ref>). In comparison, scheduled flights operate from around 560 airports in the U.S.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/books-online/FAAFactBook.pdf|title=FAA Administrator's Fact Book|date=March 2010|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|page=16}}
General aviation is particularly popular in North America, with over 6,300 airports available for public use by pilots of general aviation aircraft (around 5,200 airports in the [[United States|U.S.]] and over 1,000 in [[Canada]]<ref name="CFS">[[Nav Canada]]: ''Canada Flight Supplement - Canada and North Atlantic Terminal and Enroute Data'' Nav Canada, 2010.</ref>). In comparison, scheduled flights operate from around 560 airports in the U.S.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/books-online/FAAFactBook.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219141349/http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/books-online/FAAFactBook.pdf |archive-date=2009-02-19 |url-status=live|title=FAA Administrator's Fact Book|date=March 2010|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|page=16}}
</ref> According to the U.S. [[Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association]] (AOPA), general aviation provides more than one percent of the United States' [[GDP]], accounting for 1.3 million jobs in [[professional service]]s and [[aircraft manufacturing|manufacturing]].<ref>[http://www.aopa.org/ AOPA USA's General Aviation website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214124431/http://www.aopa.org/ |date=14 February 2015 }}.</ref>
</ref> According to the U.S. [[Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association]], general aviation provides more than one percent of the United States' [[GDP]], accounting for 1.3 million jobs in [[professional service]]s and [[aircraft manufacturing|manufacturing]].<ref>[http://www.aopa.org/ AOPA USA's General Aviation website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214124431/http://www.aopa.org/ |date=14 February 2015 }}.</ref>


==Regulation==
==Regulation==
Most countries have a [[civil aviation authority]] that oversees all [[civil aviation]], including general aviation, adhering to the standardized codes of the [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] (ICAO).

Most countries have authorities that oversee all [[civil aviation]], including general aviation, adhering to the standardized codes of the [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] (ICAO). Examples include the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) in the [[United States]], the [[Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom|Civil Aviation Authority]] (CAA) in the [[United Kingdom]], [[Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe]] ([[CAAZ]]) in [[Zimbabwe]], the [[Luftfahrt-Bundesamt]] (LBA) in [[Germany]], the [[Bundesamt für Zivilluftfahrt]] in [[Switzerland]], [[Transport Canada]] in [[Canada]], the [[Civil Aviation Safety Authority]] (CASA) in Australia, the [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)|Directorate General of Civil Aviation]] (DGCA) in [[India]] and [[Iran Civil Aviation Organization]] in [[Iran]].


==Safety==
==Safety==
Aviation [[Transportation safety in the United States|accident rate statistics]] are necessarily estimates. According to the U.S. [[National Transportation Safety Board]], general aviation in the United States (excluding charter) suffered 1.31 fatal accidents for every 100,000 hours of flying in 2005, compared to 0.016 for scheduled airline flights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/data/Documents/ARA1101.pdf|title=NTSB accident rates by flying category|publisher=Ntsb.gov|access-date=19 December 2016}}</ref> In Canada, recreational flying accounted for 0.7 fatal accidents for every 1000 aircraft, while air taxi accounted for 1.1 fatal accidents for every 100,000 hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/opssvs/managementservices-referencecentre-2192.html|title=Aviation Safety Program Manual for the Civil Aviation Directorate|date=31 December 2015|publisher=Tc.gc.ca|access-date=19 December 2016}}</ref> More experienced GA pilots appear generally safer, although the relations between flight hours, accident frequency, and accident rates are complex and often difficult to assess.<ref>Knecht, WR (2012). [http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2010s/media/201215.pdf DOT/FAA/AM-12/15 "Predicting general aviation accident frequency from pilot total flight hours"] (Technical Report). Washington, D.C.: Federal Aviation Administration.</ref><ref>Knecht, WR (2015). "The 'killing zone' revisited: Serial nonlinearities predict general aviation accident rates from pilot total flight hours". ''Accident Analysis & Prevention'', 60, 50–56.</ref><ref>Knecht, WR (2015). [http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2010s/media/201503.pdf DOT/FAA/AM-15/3 "Predicting accident rates from general aviation pilot total flight hours"] (Technical Report). Washington, D.C.: Federal Aviation Administration.</ref>
Aviation [[Transportation safety in the United States|accident rate statistics]] are necessarily estimates. According to the U.S. [[National Transportation Safety Board]], general aviation in the United States (excluding charter) suffered 1.31 fatal accidents for every 100,000 hours of flying in 2005, compared to 0.016 for scheduled airline flights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/data/Documents/ARA1101.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905195136/http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/data/Documents/ARA1101.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-05 |url-status=live|title=NTSB accident rates by flying category|publisher=Ntsb.gov|access-date=19 December 2016}}</ref> In Canada, recreational flying accounted for 0.7 fatal accidents for every 1000 aircraft, while air taxi accounted for 1.1 fatal accidents for every 100,000 hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/opssvs/managementservices-referencecentre-2192.html|title=Aviation Safety Program Manual for the Civil Aviation Directorate|date=31 December 2015|publisher=Tc.gc.ca|access-date=19 December 2016}}</ref> More experienced GA pilots appear generally safer, although the relationship between flight hours, accident frequency, and accident rates are complex and often difficult to assess.<ref>Knecht, WR (2012). [http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2010s/media/201215.pdf DOT/FAA/AM-12/15 "Predicting general aviation accident frequency from pilot total flight hours"] (Technical Report). {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119001847/http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2010s/media/201215.pdf |date=19 November 2012 }}. Washington, D.C.: Federal Aviation Administration.</ref><ref>Knecht, WR (2015). "The 'killing zone' revisited: Serial nonlinearities predict general aviation accident rates from pilot total flight hours". ''Accident Analysis & Prevention'', 60, 50–56.</ref><ref>Knecht, WR (2015). [http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2010s/media/201503.pdf DOT/FAA/AM-15/3 "Predicting accident rates from general aviation pilot total flight hours"] (Technical Report). {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119001847/http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2010s/media/201215.pdf |date=19 November 2012 }}. Washington, D.C.: Federal Aviation Administration.</ref>


A small number of commercial aviation accidents in the United States have involved collisions with general aviation flights, notably [[TWA Flight 553]], [[Piedmont Airlines Flight 22]], [[Allegheny Airlines Flight 853]], [[PSA Flight 182]] and [[Aeromexico Flight 498]].
A small number of commercial aviation accidents in the United States have involved collisions with general aviation flights, notably [[TWA Flight 553]], [[Piedmont Airlines Flight 22]], [[Allegheny Airlines Flight 853]], [[PSA Flight 182]] and [[Aeromexico Flight 498|Aeroméxico Flight 498]].


==See also==
==See also==
{{portal|Aviation}}
{{portal|Aviation}}
* [[Commercial aviation]]
* [[Environmental impact of aviation]]
* [[Environmental impact of aviation]]
* [[General Aviation Revitalization Act]]
* [[General Aviation Revitalization Act|General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994]]
* [[List of current production certified light aircraft]]
* [[List of current production certified light aircraft]]
* [[OpenAirplane]]
* [[List of very light jets]]
* [[OpenAirplane]] (defunct web-based service)
* ''[[One Six Right]]'' (2005 documentary)
* [[Private aviation]]
* [[Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013]]


;Associations
;Associations
Line 115: Line 121:
<!-- * {{cite magazine |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1979/1979%20-%203768.html |title= GA price index |magazine= Flight International |date= 13 October 1979}} *** Page was 404 on 26 December 2019, can be checked and reinstated if it goes live again ***-->
<!-- * {{cite magazine |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1979/1979%20-%203768.html |title= GA price index |magazine= Flight International |date= 13 October 1979}} *** Page was 404 on 26 December 2019, can be checked and reinstated if it goes live again ***-->


{{Authority control}}
{{authority control}}


[[Category:General aviation| ]]
[[Category:General aviation| ]]

Revision as of 20:39, 2 June 2024

General aviation aircraft at Cheb Airport in Czech Republic

General aviation (GA) is defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as all civil aviation aircraft operations except for commercial air transport or aerial work, which is defined as specialized aviation services for other purposes.[1] However, for statistical purposes, ICAO uses a definition of general aviation which includes aerial work.[2]

General aviation thus represents the "private transport" and recreational components of aviation,[3] most of which is accomplished with light aircraft.

Definition

Cirrus SR22, the most-produced GA aircraft of the 21st century
Cessna CitationJet/M2, part of the Citation family of business jets
Sailplane, a Rolladen-Schneider LS4
Robinson R22, a light piston-engine helicopter
Paraglider in flight
Hot air balloon in flight

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defines civil aviation aircraft operations in three categories: General Aviation (GA), Aerial Work (AW) and Commercial Air Transport (CAT).[1][3] Aerial work operations are separated from general aviation by ICAO by this definition. Aerial work is when an aircraft is used for specialized services such as agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, search and rescue, and aerial advertisement. However, for statistical purposes ICAO includes aerial work within general aviation, and has proposed officially extending the definition of general aviation to include aerial work, to reflect common usage.[2][1] The proposed ICAO classification includes instructional flying as part of general aviation (non-aerial-work).

The International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA) refers to the category as general aviation/aerial work (GA/AW) to avoid ambiguity. Their definition of general aviation includes:[3]

  • Corporate aviation: company own-use flight operations
  • Fractional ownership operations: aircraft operated by a specialized company on behalf of two or more co-owners
  • Business aviation (or travel): self-flown for business purposes
  • Personal/private travel: travel for personal reasons/personal transport
  • Air tourism: self-flown incoming/outgoing tourism
  • Recreational flying: powered/powerless leisure flying activities
  • Air sports: aerobatics, air races, competitions, rallies, etc.[3]

General aviation thus includes both commercial and non-commercial activities.

IAOPA's definition of aerial work includes, but is not limited to:[3]

Commercial air transport includes:

However, in some countries, air taxi is regarded as being part of GA/AW.

Private flights are made in a wide variety of aircraft: light and ultra-light aircraft, sport aircraft, homebuilt aircraft, business aircraft (like private jets), gliders and helicopters.[3] Flights can be carried out under both visual flight and instrument flight rules, and can use controlled airspace with permission.

The majority of the world's air traffic falls into the category of general aviation, and most of the world's airports serve GA exclusively.[3] Flying clubs are considered a part of general aviation.

Geography

Europe

In 2003, the European Aviation Safety Agency was established as the central EU regulator, taking over responsibility for legislating airworthiness and environmental regulation from the national authorities.[4]

United Kingdom

Of the 21,000 civil aircraft registered in the United Kingdom,[5] 96 percent are engaged in GA operations, and annually the GA fleet accounts for between 1.25 and 1.35 million hours flown. There are 28,000 private pilot licence holders, and 10,000 certified glider pilots. Some of the 19,000 pilots who hold professional licences are also engaged in GA activities. GA operates from more than 1,800 airports and landing sites or aerodromes, ranging in size from large regional airports to farm strips.

GA is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority. The main focus is on standards of airworthiness and pilot licensing, and the objective is to promote high standards of safety.

North America

General aviation is particularly popular in North America, with over 6,300 airports available for public use by pilots of general aviation aircraft (around 5,200 airports in the U.S. and over 1,000 in Canada[6]). In comparison, scheduled flights operate from around 560 airports in the U.S.[7] According to the U.S. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, general aviation provides more than one percent of the United States' GDP, accounting for 1.3 million jobs in professional services and manufacturing.[8]

Regulation

Most countries have a civil aviation authority that oversees all civil aviation, including general aviation, adhering to the standardized codes of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Safety

Aviation accident rate statistics are necessarily estimates. According to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, general aviation in the United States (excluding charter) suffered 1.31 fatal accidents for every 100,000 hours of flying in 2005, compared to 0.016 for scheduled airline flights.[9] In Canada, recreational flying accounted for 0.7 fatal accidents for every 1000 aircraft, while air taxi accounted for 1.1 fatal accidents for every 100,000 hours.[10] More experienced GA pilots appear generally safer, although the relationship between flight hours, accident frequency, and accident rates are complex and often difficult to assess.[11][12][13]

A small number of commercial aviation accidents in the United States have involved collisions with general aviation flights, notably TWA Flight 553, Piedmont Airlines Flight 22, Allegheny Airlines Flight 853, PSA Flight 182 and Aeroméxico Flight 498.

See also

Associations

References

  1. ^ a b c "1. Definitions" (PDF). Annex 6, Operation of Aircraft Part I, International Commercial Air Transport – Aeroplanes (9 ed.). International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). July 2010. pp. 1, 3 and 5. ISBN 9789292315368. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 January 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  2. ^ a b "ICAO web site" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "What is General Aviation; Definition". The International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA). Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  4. ^ "5" (PDF). Strategic Review of General Aviation in the UK. CAA. July 2006. pp. 52–53, paras. 5.18–5.24. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  5. ^ "UK Registered Aircraft January 2010" (PDF). CAA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  6. ^ Nav Canada: Canada Flight Supplement - Canada and North Atlantic Terminal and Enroute Data Nav Canada, 2010.
  7. ^ FAA Administrator's Fact Book (PDF). U.S. Department of Transportation. March 2010. p. 16. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 February 2009.
  8. ^ AOPA USA's General Aviation website Archived 14 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine.
  9. ^ "NTSB accident rates by flying category" (PDF). Ntsb.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  10. ^ "Aviation Safety Program Manual for the Civil Aviation Directorate". Tc.gc.ca. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  11. ^ Knecht, WR (2012). DOT/FAA/AM-12/15 "Predicting general aviation accident frequency from pilot total flight hours" (Technical Report). Archived 19 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Washington, D.C.: Federal Aviation Administration.
  12. ^ Knecht, WR (2015). "The 'killing zone' revisited: Serial nonlinearities predict general aviation accident rates from pilot total flight hours". Accident Analysis & Prevention, 60, 50–56.
  13. ^ Knecht, WR (2015). DOT/FAA/AM-15/3 "Predicting accident rates from general aviation pilot total flight hours" (Technical Report). Archived 19 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Washington, D.C.: Federal Aviation Administration.