Concern about VLJs

Air Safety Week, Dec 5, 2005

"The introduction of VLJs [very light jets] into airspace used for scheduled commercial operations raises questions about pilot qualifications and training, as well as maintenance and oversight," Basil Barimo, vice president of operations and technology for the Air Transport Association, told a Senate aviation subcommittee Nov. 17. According to FAA estimates, some 4,500 VLJs, a number roughly equivalent to the commercial fleet of airliners, will be operating by 2016. These aircraft will impact scheduled airline service because they will operate in the same busy airspace as commercial airlines, but travel at much slower speeds.

"We need to look ahead, examine the risks and determine if current regulations and practices are adequate to ensure the safety of not only VLJ operators, but also the other users of the airspace," Barimo testified.

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