+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+
| *                   | FINAL REPORT                                   |
| *DOT/FAA/AR-xx/xx** |                                                |
|                     | **Demographic Study of General**               |
| Office of Aviation  |                                                |
| Research            | **Aviation Fleet**                             |
|                     |                                                |
| Washington, DC      | October 15, 2007                               |
| 20591               |                                                |
|                     | This document is available to the U.S. public  |
|                     | through the National Technical Information     |
|                     | Service (NTIS), Springfield, Virginia 22161.   |
|                     |                                                |
|                     | ![](m                                          |
|                     | edia/image1.wmf){width="0.34305555555555556in" |
|                     | height="0.3548611111111111in"}                 |
|                     |                                                |
|                     | U.S. Department of Transportation              |
|                     |                                                |
|                     | **Federal Aviation Administration**            |
+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+

**NOTICE**

> This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S.
> Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange.
> The United States Government assumes no liability for the contents or
> use thereof. The United States Government does not endorse products or
> manufacturers. Trade or manufacturer\'s names appear herein solely
> because they are considered essential to the objective of this report.
> This document does not constitute FAA certification policy. Consult
> your local FAA aircraft certification office as to its use.
>
> This report is available at the Federal Aviation Administration
> William J. Hughes Technical Center\'s Full-Text Technical Reports
> page: actlibrary.tc.faa.gov in Adobe Acrobat portable document format
> (PDF).

**Technical Report Documentation Page**

+-----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-------+
| 1\. Report No.        | 2\.       |           | 3\.       |       |
|                       | G         |           | Rec       |       |
| DOT/FAA/AR-xx/xx      | overnment |           | ipient\'s |       |
|                       | Accession |           | Catalog   |       |
|                       | No.       |           | No.       |       |
+-----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-------+
| 4\. Title and         |           |           | 5\.       |       |
| Subtitle              |           |           | Report    |       |
|                       |           |           | Date      |       |
| DEMOGRAPHIC STUDY OF  |           |           |           |       |
| GENERAL AVIATION      |           |           |           |       |
| FLEET                 |           |           |           |       |
+-----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-------+
|                       |           |           | 6\.       |       |
|                       |           |           | P         |       |
|                       |           |           | erforming |       |
|                       |           |           | Org       |       |
|                       |           |           | anization |       |
|                       |           |           | Code      |       |
+-----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-------+
| 7\. Author(s)         |           |           | 8\.       |       |
|                       |           |           | P         |       |
| X                     |           |           | erforming |       |
|                       |           |           | Org       |       |
|                       |           |           | anization |       |
|                       |           |           | Report    |       |
|                       |           |           | No.       |       |
|                       |           |           |           |       |
|                       |           |           | X         |       |
+-----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-------+
| 9\. Performing        |           |           | 10\. Work |       |
| Organization Name and |           |           | Unit No.  |       |
| Address               |           |           | (TRAIS)   |       |
+-----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-------+
|                       |           |           | 11\.      |       |
|                       |           |           | Contract  |       |
|                       |           |           | or Grant  |       |
|                       |           |           | No.       |       |
|                       |           |           |           |       |
|                       |           |           | X         |       |
+-----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-------+
| 12\. Sponsoring       |           |           | 13\. Type |       |
| Agency Name and       |           |           | of Report |       |
| Address               |           |           | and       |       |
|                       |           |           | Period    |       |
| U.S. Department of    |           |           | Covered   |       |
| Transportation        |           |           |           |       |
|                       |           |           | Draft     |       |
| Federal Aviation      |           |           | Report    |       |
| Administration        |           |           |           |       |
|                       |           |           |           |       |
| Office of Aviation    |           |           |           |       |
| Research              |           |           |           |       |
|                       |           |           |           |       |
| Washington, DC 20591  |           |           |           |       |
+-----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-------+
|                       |           |           | 14\.      |       |
|                       |           |           | S         |       |
|                       |           |           | ponsoring |       |
|                       |           |           | Agency    |       |
|                       |           |           | Code      |       |
+-----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-------+
| 15\. Supplementary    |           |           |           |       |
| Notes                 |           |           |           |       |
+-----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-------+
| 16\. Abstract         |           |           |           |       |
|                       |           |           |           |       |
| Through the Federal   |           |           |           |       |
| Aviation              |           |           |           |       |
| Administration (FAA)  |           |           |           |       |
| Aging Aircraft Safety |           |           |           |       |
| Program, the Wichita  |           |           |           |       |
| State University      |           |           |           |       |
| National Institute    |           |           |           |       |
| for Aviation Research |           |           |           |       |
| (NIAR) will assist    |           |           |           |       |
| the FAA in their      |           |           |           |       |
| initiative to         |           |           |           |       |
| maintain the safe     |           |           |           |       |
| operation of the      |           |           |           |       |
| existing General      |           |           |           |       |
| Aviation (GA) fleet   |           |           |           |       |
| through improved      |           |           |           |       |
| maintenance practices |           |           |           |       |
| and inspections. In   |           |           |           |       |
| order to assist in    |           |           |           |       |
| determining if        |           |           |           |       |
| potential continuing  |           |           |           |       |
| airworthiness         |           |           |           |       |
| problems exist for    |           |           |           |       |
| the GA fleet as a     |           |           |           |       |
| function of the aging |           |           |           |       |
| process, NIAR will    |           |           |           |       |
| conduct a Demographic |           |           |           |       |
| Study of the GA       |           |           |           |       |
| fleet. For purposes   |           |           |           |       |
| of this proposal, GA  |           |           |           |       |
| is defined as fixed   |           |           |           |       |
| wing aircraft with    |           |           |           |       |
| capacity of less than |           |           |           |       |
| 30 passengers, or     |           |           |           |       |
| less than 7500 pounds |           |           |           |       |
| maximum payload,      |           |           |           |       |
| operated to Part 91,  |           |           |           |       |
| Part 121, or Part 135 |           |           |           |       |
| requirements. The     |           |           |           |       |
| objective of this     |           |           |           |       |
| Demographic Study is  |           |           |           |       |
| to collect pertinent  |           |           |           |       |
| data related to the   |           |           |           |       |
| GA fleet for future   |           |           |           |       |
| risk assessment,      |           |           |           |       |
| particularly on aging |           |           |           |       |
| aircraft issues.      |           |           |           |       |
| Fleet demographics    |           |           |           |       |
| will include, but is  |           |           |           |       |
| not limited to, fleet |           |           |           |       |
| distribution by type, |           |           |           |       |
| manufacturer, model,  |           |           |           |       |
| calendar year, and    |           |           |           |       |
| aircraft usage. NIAR  |           |           |           |       |
| will collect data     |           |           |           |       |
| about the composition |           |           |           |       |
| of the GA fleet from  |           |           |           |       |
| numerous data         |           |           |           |       |
| sources, such as, but |           |           |           |       |
| not limited to, the   |           |           |           |       |
| FAA Federal Registry  |           |           |           |       |
| and professional      |           |           |           |       |
| aircraft              |           |           |           |       |
| organizations         |           |           |           |       |
| representing GA       |           |           |           |       |
| airplanes (AOPA,      |           |           |           |       |
| GAMA, etc.). Data     |           |           |           |       |
| collected will        |           |           |           |       |
| include, but is not   |           |           |           |       |
| limited to, make,     |           |           |           |       |
| model, manufactured   |           |           |           |       |
| year, number of       |           |           |           |       |
| flight hours, number  |           |           |           |       |
| of flights, and type  |           |           |           |       |
| of usage (i.e.,       |           |           |           |       |
| private or            |           |           |           |       |
| commercial). From the |           |           |           |       |
| various data sources, |           |           |           |       |
| NIAR will create a    |           |           |           |       |
| relational database   |           |           |           |       |
| that is capable of    |           |           |           |       |
| interfacing with the  |           |           |           |       |
| data sources and      |           |           |           |       |
| updating searchable   |           |           |           |       |
| data on various       |           |           |           |       |
| fields, such as make, |           |           |           |       |
| model, and            |           |           |           |       |
| manufactured year.    |           |           |           |       |
| NIAR will review the  |           |           |           |       |
| demographic data on   |           |           |           |       |
| the GA fleet (as      |           |           |           |       |
| defined for this      |           |           |           |       |
| research) in order to |           |           |           |       |
| determine the current |           |           |           |       |
| size, age, and usage  |           |           |           |       |
| of the existing       |           |           |           |       |
| fleet, focusing       |           |           |           |       |
| initially on the      |           |           |           |       |
| multi engine GA       |           |           |           |       |
| aircraft, which are   |           |           |           |       |
| extensively used in   |           |           |           |       |
| commuter and          |           |           |           |       |
| commercial service.   |           |           |           |       |
| The demographic data  |           |           |           |       |
| will provide key      |           |           |           |       |
| information for use   |           |           |           |       |
| in future studies of  |           |           |           |       |
| aging aircraft        |           |           |           |       |
| maintenance practices |           |           |           |       |
| and future risk       |           |           |           |       |
| assessments for the   |           |           |           |       |
| GA fleet. This        |           |           |           |       |
| information will      |           |           |           |       |
| assist the FAA in     |           |           |           |       |
| determining where to  |           |           |           |       |
| focus their limited   |           |           |           |       |
| resources to address  |           |           |           |       |
| the aging aircraft    |           |           |           |       |
| issues that GA owners |           |           |           |       |
| and operators are     |           |           |           |       |
| currently facing.     |           |           |           |       |
+-----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-------+
| 17\. Key Words        |           | 18\.      |           |       |
|                       |           | Dis       |           |       |
| X                     |           | tribution |           |       |
|                       |           | Statement |           |       |
|                       |           |           |           |       |
|                       |           | This      |           |       |
|                       |           | document  |           |       |
|                       |           | is        |           |       |
|                       |           | available |           |       |
|                       |           | to the    |           |       |
|                       |           | public    |           |       |
|                       |           | through   |           |       |
|                       |           | the       |           |       |
|                       |           | National  |           |       |
|                       |           | Technical |           |       |
|                       |           | In        |           |       |
|                       |           | formation |           |       |
|                       |           | Service   |           |       |
|                       |           | (NTIS),   |           |       |
|                       |           | Spr       |           |       |
|                       |           | ingfield, |           |       |
|                       |           | Virginia  |           |       |
|                       |           | 22161.    |           |       |
+-----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-------+
| 19\. Security         | 20\.      |           | 21\. No.  | 22\.  |
| Classif. (of this     | Security  |           | of Pages  | Price |
| report)               | Classif.  |           |           |       |
|                       | (of this  |           |           |       |
| Unclassified          | page)     |           |           |       |
|                       |           |           |           |       |
|                       | Unc       |           |           |       |
|                       | lassified |           |           |       |
+-----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-------+

> **Form DOT F 1700.7** (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

1\. INTRODUCTION [1](#introduction)

1.1 BACKGROUND [1](#background)

1.2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES [1](#research-objectives)

1.3 TECHNICIAL APPROACH [1](#technicial-approach)

2\. database design and reporting [10](#database-design-and-reporting)

2.1 PROJECT REQUEST [10](#project-request)

2.2 PLATFORM [10](#platform)

2.3 APPLICATION [11](#application)

2.3.1 Login [11](#login)

2.3.2 Administration [12](#administration)

2.3.3 Aircraft Data Collection [13](#aircraft-data-collection)

2.3.4 Demographic Info (Reporting) [17](#demographic-info-reporting)

3\. APPENDIX A -- faa general aviation demographics user manual
[20](#appendix-a-faa-general-aviation-demographics-user-manual)

3.1 ADMINISTRATION MODULE [20](#administration-module)

3.2 AIRCRAFT DATA COLLECTION MODULE
[21](#aircraft-data-collection-module-1)

3.3 DEMOGRAPHIC INFO MODULE [24](#demographic-info-module-1)

3.4 BUILDING A CUSTOM REPORT [26](#building-a-custom-report)

3.5 DEMOGRAPHIC INFO MODULE -- GRAPHIC DATA
[37](#demographic-info-module-graphic-data)

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Program Schedule [2](#__RefHeading___Toc185044670)

Figure 2. GAATA Survey [3](#__RefHeading___Toc185044671)

Figure 3. Microsoft® Excel Spreadsheet -- Hours by Aircraft Type and Age
[4](#__RefHeading___Toc185044672)

Figure 4. Microsoft® Excel Spreadsheet -- Aircraft Hours/Weights, Sheet
1 [5](#__RefHeading___Toc185044673)

Figure 5. Microsoft® Excel Spreadsheet -- Aircraft Hours/Weights, Sheet
2 [6](#__RefHeading___Toc185044674)

Figure 6. Microsoft® Excel Spreadsheet -- Hours/Weights Calculations
[8](#__RefHeading___Toc185044675)

Figure 7. Aircraft Models from FAA Database
[9](#__RefHeading___Toc185044676)

Figure 8. FAA Demographics System -- Application Login and Available
Modules [11](#__RefHeading___Toc185044677)

Figure 9. Administration Module [12](#__RefHeading___Toc185044678)

Figure 10. Aircraft Data Collection Module
[14](#__RefHeading___Toc185044679)

Figure 11. Demographic Info Module [17](#__RefHeading___Toc185044680)

Figure 12. Graphic Display of Fixed Wing Aircraft by Region
[19](#__RefHeading___Toc185044681)

Figure 13. Administration Module [20](#__RefHeading___Toc185044682)

Figure 14. Aircraft Data Collection Module -- Select Aircraft Data
Collection [21](#__RefHeading___Toc185044683)

Figure 15. Aircraft Data Collection Module -- Select Required Data Type
[22](#__RefHeading___Toc185044684)

Figure 16. Aircraft Data Collection Module -- Data Input Results and
Entry [23](#__RefHeading___Toc185044685)

Figure 17. Demographic Info Module [25](#__RefHeading___Toc185044686)

Figure 19. Demographic Info Module -- Select Custom Report
[28](#__RefHeading___Toc185044687)

Figure 20. Demographic Info Module -- Overview
[29](#__RefHeading___Toc185044688)

Figure 21. Demographic Info Module -- Field Selection
[30](#__RefHeading___Toc185044689)

Figure 22. Demographic Info Module -- Select Manufacturer Name and Model
[31](#__RefHeading___Toc185044690)

Figure 23. Demographic Info Module -- Selection Criteria 1
[32](#__RefHeading___Toc185044691)

Figure 24. Demographic Info Module -- Selection Criteria 2
[33](#__RefHeading___Toc185044692)

Figure 25. Demographic Info Module -- Create Title and Submit
[34](#__RefHeading___Toc185044693)

Figure 26. Demographic Info Module -- Select Format and Export
[35](#__RefHeading___Toc185044694)

Figure 27. Database Custom Report in Microsoft® Excel Format
[36](#__RefHeading___Toc185044695)

Figure 28. Demographic Info Module -- Graphic Display Overview
[37](#__RefHeading___Toc185044696)

Figure 29. Select Demographic Info Module
[38](#__RefHeading___Toc185044697)

Figure 30. Demographic Info Module -- Aircraft Selection by Region or
State [39](#__RefHeading___Toc185044698)

Figure 31. Demographic Info Module -- Select Certification Type
[40](#__RefHeading___Toc185044699)

Figure 32. Demographic Info Module -- Select Class of Aircraft
[41](#__RefHeading___Toc185044700)

Figure 33. Demographic Info Module -- Select Aircraft Manufacturer
[42](#__RefHeading___Toc185044701)

Figure 34. Demographic Info Module -- Select Model of Aircraft
[43](#__RefHeading___Toc185044702)

Figure 35. Demographic Info Module -- Query Results
[44](#__RefHeading___Toc185044703)

Figure 36. Demographic Info Module -- Totals for Beech 400A
[45](#__RefHeading___Toc185044704)

Figure 37. Demographic Info Module -- Percentages for Beech 400A
[46](#__RefHeading___Toc185044705)

Figure 38. Demographic Info Module -- Totals for Raytheon 400A
[47](#__RefHeading___Toc185044706)

Figure 39. Demographic Info Module -- Percentages for Raytheon 400A
[48](#__RefHeading___Toc185044707)

LIST OF ACRONYMS

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

FAA Federal Aviation Administration

GA General Aviation

GAA General Aviation Aircraft

GAMA General Aviation Manufacturer's Association

GAATA General Aviation and Air Taxi Activity

NIAR National Institute for Aviation Research

NTIS National Technical Information Service

pdf Portable Document Format

SSL Secure Socket Layer

WSU Wichita State University

# INTRODUCTION

Using congressional support, the Wichita State University (WSU) National
Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) proposes to use its technical
personnel, facilities, and equipment to support and enhance the safety
goals of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). NIAR will conduct
research for developing technologies, technical information, procedures,
and practices in order to help ensure the continued airworthiness of
aircraft structures in the General Aviation (GA) fleet. The Aging
Aircraft Research Laboratory of NIAR is involved in a FAA research
program assisting with investigations for maintaining the structural
integrity and airworthiness of commuter-class aircraft fleets. The
proposed research program will compliment this ongoing work and enhance
the research and evaluation capabilities of NIAR to support future FAA
needs.

## BACKGROUND

Although the general public is primarily concerned with the
airworthiness of commercial aircraft, which is where most research
funding resources and efforts have been focused, a growing concern also
exists in the small airplane fleet. While numerous investigations are
being conducted on the aging aspects of large transport and military
airplanes, limited resources are being expended to understand the aging
aspects of the small airplane fleet. Investigations performed on large
transport and military aircraft have focused on the structural integrity
as well as wiring and systems related aging concerns. The results of
these investigations can benefit a similar research program that
investigates the same issues on small airplanes.

## RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Collect pertinent demographic data related to the GA fleet for future
risk assessment, particularly pertaining to aging aircraft issues. The
data collection is necessary to aid not only with aging aircraft issues,
but to also help with future risk assessment for the continuous FAA
Aging Aircraft Safety Program.

## TECHNICIAL APPROACH

NIAR has collected and reviewed demographic data on the GA (as defined
for this research) fleet to determine the current size, age and usage of
the existing fleet to support future risk assessment. NIAR has created a
relational database that is capable of updating searchable data on
various fields, such as make, model, and manufactured year. This
database was built using commercially available software, and the data
was collected through the FAA Aircraft Registry, other existing database
systems, and from personal contact with professional aircraft
organizations representing small airplanes (AOPA, GAMA, etc.). Data
collected included make, model, manufactured year, number of flight
hours, number of flights and type of usage (i.e., private or
commercial). Upon data collection, a comprehensive analysis was
conducted to determine what data is useful for future assessments
conducted by the FAA. These actions are intended to aid the FAA with
risk assessment and risk management.

Figure 1 provides the program schedule utilized for completion of all
accomplished technical tasks.

![](media/image2.wmf){width="6.309722222222222in"
height="3.3979166666666667in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044670 .anchor}Figure 1. Program Schedule

The official start date of the Demographic Study was August 14, 2006.
During this time, monthly research began and information was gathered to
use in the database. The first site used to collect data was the FAA
webpage. Information from this site included the FAA Aircraft Registry,
which lists registered aircraft, the owner, and general specifications
of the specific aircraft.

Throughout September 2006, a shift of focus to capture what particular
type of information to research came from the actual list of aircraft to
data used in calculating the average number of hours and flights also
pending on the aircraft type and number of engines. On September 27,
2006, the first Kick-Off Meeting was held to discuss an overview of the
program and provide a project plan on what sources would be used to make
available a complete and accurate database.

During the month of October 2006, a viable source was found that
provided the required data described in the paragraph above. Again, this
data was found on the FAA webpage under the General Aviation and Air
Taxi Activity (GAATA) and Avionics Surveys. The General Aviation
Manufacturer's Association (GAMA) completes these surveys every year.
Because the surveys are published only once in December, the most recent
survey was that of 2005. Figure 2 shows an example of the GAATA Survey
data.

![](media/image3.png){width="6.455555555555556in"
height="3.2305555555555556in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044671 .anchor}Figure 2. GAATA Survey

The GAATA Survey was used to obtain a value for the average number of
flights per hour. The value of each of the categories was taken, i.e.,
single reciprocating engine, multi reciprocating engine, multi turboprop
engine, etc. These values were placed into a Microsoft® Excel
spreadsheet (ref. Figure 3) entitled "Hours by Aircraft Type and Age."
The first column is the listing of all of the separate types of
aircraft. The second column is the total number of flights for the
specified aircraft type taken from the GAATA Survey. In addition, the
third column is taken straight from the GAATA Survey and is the total
number of hours for the aircraft type. From these two values, the number
of hours per flight and the number of flights per hour were calculated.
The last column is not required; however, it shows the average length of
flight in minutes. Ratios of both hours and flights are needed due to
how the calculations have been computed. In the database, the number of
flights to find the number of hours for the aircraft is used, so the
hours per flight ratio is needed. All the information discovered is by
the hours, so the flights per hour ratio has been used to obtain a value
for the flights. Therefore, the hours and the flights can both be
calculated and the ratios can be used to compute the other value if one
is unknown.

![](media/image4.png){width="6.0in" height="6.623611111111111in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044672 .anchor}Figure 3. Microsoft® Excel
Spreadsheet -- Hours by Aircraft Type and Age

To find the number of hours to relate to these aircraft types, the
Aircraft Bluebook was used. The first action after receipt of the
Aircraft Bluebook were to compile information from two tables located in
the appendix that were transferred into an electronic form, these tables
are found in the document under "Hours and Weights, see Figure 4. Both
tables consisted of the average hours per year for a specific make and
model of aircraft over a given span of time, in addition to
specification for each make and model that listed the gross and empty
weights of the aircraft. After both tables were in electronic form, the
tables were manipulated such that the hours to find the average number
of hours of a specified aircraft type was given. In order to complete
this, the span of years were separated into two separate columns to sort
the data better. Upon completion, if a span of years covered multiple
decades, for the age of the aircraft, an additional line for each other
decade the aircraft spanned. For example, if the aircraft was in
production from 1994 to 2006, this aircraft spans the 0-10 year and
11-20 year decades and would then have rows consisting of the age of
0-10 years with the value of hours for the 1994-2006, as well as a row
comprising of the age 11-20 years again with the same value of hours for
the 1994-2006 aircraft. While going through the Aircraft Bluebook, the
number, type of engine for each make, and model were listed on the same
spreadsheet. The "Aircraft Type" tab shows this data. Upon completion
the table was filled with the required data, the data was then copied
and placed onto another tab to sort and begin calculation of the average
hours by aircraft type. The other tab "Avg Hours," held the data sorted
by the number of engines, then the type of engine, and lastly by the
age.

![](media/image5.png){width="6.0in" height="4.184722222222222in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044673 .anchor}Figure 4. Microsoft® Excel
Spreadsheet -- Aircraft Hours/Weights, Sheet 1

After the data had been sorted, the average hours per decade of age was
found by using the average formula. For example, the multi jet engine
aircraft in the 11-20 year range had a calculated average number of
hours of 383 hours per year. This calculation was done for each range of
ages for all number and type of engine categories. After these
computations were completed, the values were entered into the formula
sheet by the system designer; this sheet was a list of the number and
engine types that are found in the database. In this Microsoft® Excel
spreadsheet shown in Figure 5, all of the hours were entered and then
the flights per hour ratio from the "Hours by Aircraft Type" was used to
calculate average number of flights per year for the specified number
and engine types. After completing this task, the "Calculated Data by
Aircraft Type" form in the database was ready to be entered.

![](media/image6.png){width="6.0in" height="4.184722222222222in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044674 .anchor}Figure 5. Microsoft® Excel
Spreadsheet -- Aircraft Hours/Weights, Sheet 2

[December 2006]{.underline}:

Nevertheless, because the database is calculating the number of hours
per flight, the number of flights that had been calculated had to be
entered. Once entered, the input of the inverse of the ratio flights per
hour allows the database to correctly compute the number of hours per
year for the aircraft. For example, for the single reciprocating engines
of the age of 0-10 years, the values of 249 flights and 0.65 hours per
flight were input in the fields of the database for this aircraft type.
The next objective is to compute an average weight to be added to this
data.

Another method of computing hours in the database is by aircraft make
and model. This method consists of listing every make and model along
with its specific average hours per year, flights per year, and gross
weight. Because the average number of hours can vary greatly between two
aircraft of the same type, this calculation will give a more accurate
value for a specific aircraft. The results of these calculations are
shown in Figure 6.

[January 2007]{.underline}: At the final "Go-To" Meeting held January
29, 2007, it was decided to focus on a method to exclude all
"experimental data" from the database by default. To accomplish this
task, the FAA Registry Master File was used. The FAA Registry Master
File lists every registered aircraft as well as a column containing
"Airworthiness Classification Code" that specifies if the aircraft is
used for experimental purposes. After looking in the column that lists
the "Classification Code," a new master file was opened in Microsoft®
Notepad and all the aircraft that did not have a designation of "4,"
experimental, in the Classification Code column was deleted. On January
8, 2007, the system designer was contacted to find out if there would be
an easier way to isolate the experimental aircraft from a list of
registered aircraft.

The system designer implemented a function in the database that will
allow the experimental aircraft to be excluded by default and included a
drop down menu that would allow it to be included in the reporting if
needed at a later date. Focus has resumed on calculating the hours for
the aircraft by make and model using the Aircraft Bluebook, the tables
in the appendix of the Aircraft Bluebook, and the ratios of "Hours per
Flight" and "Flights per Hour" using the GAATA Survey data from 2005.

![](media/image7.jpeg){width="6.010416666666667in"
height="4.104166666666667in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044675 .anchor}Figure 6. Microsoft® Excel
Spreadsheet -- Hours/Weights Calculations

[February 2007:]{.underline} Data from the Aircraft Bluebook into a
Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet (ref. Figure 7) was implemented into the
tables along with the corresponding make and model.

Some aircraft did not have weights listed in the appendix of the
Aircraft Bluebook, so the specific Type Certificates were used as
references to find the aircraft's gross weight.

Upon completion and after all columns of the spreadsheet were filled
out, organization of each aircraft by make and model into their
designated age range ensued, this was accomplished in order to input the
data into the database.

To input the correct data for each aircraft, compared data from the
aircraft listed in the database to the data in the Aircraft Bluebook
required correlation.

Over time, Type Certificate (owners) information changes, this factor
being relevant required finding what manufacturer information in the
Aircraft Bluebook corresponded to the manufacturer from the database.

![](media/image8.jpeg){width="6.010416666666667in"
height="4.177083333333333in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044676 .anchor}Figure 7. Aircraft Models from
FAA Database

[March 2007:]{.underline} For the collected data to be used in the
database, it must be input through the Aircraft Data Collection module
of the database. The first data to be entered is the calculations by
aircraft type and number and type of engines.

To simplify this procedure a list of all the aircraft in the database
requires printing. After the data is printed and because many aircraft
models have had numerous Type Certificate owners, the list of aircraft
from the database is compared with the list of aircraft from the
Aircraft Bluebook. This will assist at finding the average number of
hours flown per year as well as the ratio to calculate the average
number of flights per year.

For example, Aeronca sold the company to American Champion; therefore,
some Aeronca aircraft models may be listed under the American Champion
make; however, the model would still use the data of the Aeronca model.

# database design and reporting

## PROJECT REQUEST

The project is to develop a web-based platform to study aircraft
demographics of GA aircraft use. The FAA also requested that all
software platform designs be based on current design methods and that
all development is based on commercially available software.

## PLATFORM

The application for the study developed on the Microsoft® platform
consists of:

-   Microsoft® 2003 Server Platform

-   Microsoft® SQL 2005 Enterprise Server with Reporting Services

-   Microsoft® Internet Information Server (IIS V6.0)

-   Security for site access will be controlled using Secure Socket
    Layer (SSL) encryption, the ASP.Net 2.0.50727 "Forms" based security
    option, and standard security practices.

-   The hardware is a Dell® Server with 2.0 GB memory, 120 GB disk space
    and four Intel® Xeon 3.2 GHZ processors. This specific hardware
    platform is typical for the software requirements and is sufficient
    for the application. This project when completed required 150 MB
    disk space for the database size and 3 MB disk space for the
    website.

-   Network bandwidth design for the application was for minimal
    utilization. Actual measurement of bandwidth utilization was less
    than .1% or minimal. The server network connection is via a 1GB
    physical connection with the actual internet connection, governed
    and controlled by WSU is in excess of 100 MB.

## APPLICATION

The application design consists of four primary components:

-   Logon

-   Administration

-   Aircraft Data Collection

-   Demographic Info (Reporting)

Figure 8 displays the application login and the modules available for
use. Help screens and logout functionality aid in system functionality.
Users may register on the site for access to the Demographic Info
(reporting) module; a system administrator controls additional access.

![](media/image9.png){width="5.999305555555556in"
height="3.261111111111111in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044677 .anchor}Figure 8. FAA Demographics
System -- Application Login and Available Modules

### Login

After execution of the login or registration function, the user is
presented with several actions. All users are given the option of
changing their login password and users who have only registered on the
site will be given access to the Demographic Info module to obtain
reporting data only. Additional functionality on the site is controlled.
The system administrator function controls access to the Administration
module and/or Aircraft Data Collection module.

### Administration

The Administration module controls user administration of the
application and is divided into several functions. Figure 9 shows
current system users, their module access assigned, and the
administrator selections.

1\. Create User -- Creates a user by entering a user name, password of
eight characters or more, and a valid e-mail address.

2\. User Access Control -- When you edit a user, you may now select
which module the user has access to and update the user access. User
will have to logout and login to make the changes effective.

3\. Change User Password -- Enter the user name and press submit. The
system will generate a new password for the user and e-mail it to them.
The e-mail address used is that used from Item 1 "Create User."

4\. Current System Users -- A listing of all users that can log onto the
system.

![](media/image10.png){width="5.497916666666667in"
height="3.683333333333333in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044678 .anchor}Figure 9. Administration Module

### Aircraft Data Collection

The purpose of this project is to study the demographic information for
non-commercial small aircraft in the United States. The data application
was created to provide the primary data source for the study and as a
tool to complete the project requirements. The data source for the study
was based on data contained in the FAA Aircraft Registry. The FAA
Aircraft Registry database is divided into multiple files and is located
on the following website:

<http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/aircraft_certification/aircraft_registry/releasable_aircraft_download/>

The files used for the study are the FAA Aircraft Registry, Master file,
and the FAA Aircraft Reference file by make/model/series sequence.
Primary data required for the study are:

1\. The FAA Aircraft Reference used for the study contained information
on the following:

a\) Fixed wing single engine

b\) Fixed wing multiple engine

c\) Engine types

i\. Reciprocating

ii\. Turboprop

iii\. Turbo Shaft

iv\. Two Cycle

v\. Four Cycle

2\. FAA Master Registry listing used to obtain:

a\) State where aircraft is registered.

b\) Region where aircraft is located (Southwest, Eastern, etc.)

c\) Year aircraft was manufactured.

3\. The third data element is data collected, not from the FAA but from
other sources (generally survey information), to obtain details of the
following:

> a\) Flight Hours per Aircraft -- Expect to obtain a calculation
> methodology to determine average flight hours for each aircraft based
> upon age and aircraft type.
>
> b\) Number of Flights per Aircraft -- Expect to obtain a calculation
> methodology to determine average umber of flights for each aircraft
> based upon age and aircraft type.
>
> c\) Type of Usage (Commercial vs. Non-commercial) Aircraft Operation
> Weight (Avg.)

The data base design linked all data together such that the FAA Master
file could be used as a baseline with both the aircraft reference data
and the data collection information linked to it. This created a virtual
database table with all data in it for reporting requirements.

Note that the purpose of the project was for small winged aircraft only;
however, it was found that all aircraft types, Blimps, Gliders, etc.,
were contained in the data. Reports are for the demographics of all
aircraft types, only the winged aircraft types would include the third
section of data. This additional data gave the FAA more information than
the original project request at no additional cost.

#### Aircraft Data Collection Module

The Aircraft Data Collection module (displayed in Figure 10) was
developed to show data obtained from the FAA Aircraft Registry, to add
data to calculate aircraft usage from flown hours, age, etc., and to
exclude certain aircraft from the report.

![](media/image11.png){width="5.997222222222222in"
height="3.3208333333333333in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044679 .anchor}Figure 10. Aircraft Data
Collection Module

Selections are available in this module to perform the following
functions.

1\. Aircraft Reference -- Provides a list of aircraft produced by a
specific manufacturer.

2\. Aircraft by Registration -- Provides a list of aircraft registered
by state and/or manufacturer

3\. Calculated Data by Class -- Sets up data for calculations based on
aircraft classification (fixed wing, Blimp, etc.), engine
classification, and age in 10-year increments from the original
production data. The data for this function was obtained from various
sources referenced in other sections of this report. The form for this
function is as follows:

  ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------
  ** Aircraft Class:**               

  ** Engine Class:**                 

  ** Age Range:**                    

  ** Avg Hours Flown/Flight:**       ![](media/image12.wmf)\* \*

  ** Avg Landings/Yr:**              ![](media/image12.wmf)\* \*

  ** % Commercial Use:**             ![](media/image12.wmf)\* \*

  ** Avg Operating Weight:**         ![](media/image12.wmf)\* \*
  ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------

4\. Calculated Data by Manufacturer/Model -- Sets up data for
calculations based on aircraft manufacturer, model, and age in 10-year
increments from original production data. The data for this function was
obtained from various sources referenced in other sections of this
report. The form for this function is as follows:

  ------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
  ** Aircraft Manufacturer:**      

  ** Aircraft Model:**             

  **  FAA RegID:**                 

  **  Aircraft Age Range:**       

  ** Avg Hours Flown/Flight:**    ![](media/image12.wmf)\* \*

  ** Avg Landings/Yr:**           ![](media/image12.wmf)\* \*

  ** % Commercial Use:**          ![](media/image12.wmf)\* \*

  ** Avg Operating Weight:**      ![](media/image12.wmf)\* \*
  ------------------------------- ---------------------------------------

5\. Exclude Aircraft by Manufacturer/Model -- It was determined that
certain aircraft should not be included in the report (i.e., Museum
Displays registered but not in service). An exemption control box was
added to the database in order to remove those aircraft from the
reporting data. The form for this function is as follows:

  ----------------------------- -----------------------------------------
  ** Aircraft Manufacturer:**     

  ** Aircraft Model:**            

  **  FAA RegID:**                

  **  Aircraft Age Range:**     
  ----------------------------- -----------------------------------------

All data collection requirements were met with the five functions
outlined in this section.

### Demographic Info (Reporting)

The Demographic Info module as shown in Figure 11 was developed to
provide a reporting function to complete the project. Generally, after a
database is established, containment of a specific set of data reporting
content is virtually unlimited.

![](media/image13.png){width="5.997222222222222in"
height="5.903472222222222in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044680 .anchor}Figure 11. Demographic Info
Module

#### Demographic Info Module

Reports generated for the demographic data will be available to the
public. This module is the primary module for reporting data for the
project. Most of the selections provide the data in a report format. The
report format typically has multiple pages of data to choose from, a
print screen formatter, a find box and a method to extract all data to a
Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet or a pdf file. Module selections are:

1\. Aircraft by Manufacturer -- Provides a report of the number of
aircraft and aircraft models produced by each manufacturer.

2\. Aircraft by Model -- Provides a report of aircraft type by
manufacturer and model.

3\. Aircraft by Year Produced -- Provides a report of aircraft by year
of production.

4\. Aircraft by Region -- Provides a report of aircraft by region.

5\. Aircraft by State -- Provides a report of aircraft by state.

6\. Percent Fleet by Make/Model -- Provides a percentage of a
manufacturer model and aircraft type against the complete FAA Federal
Registry.

7\. Calculated Data -- Generates reports that show flight hours,
landings, etc., based on type of aircraft or specific manufacturer.

8\. Custom Report -- Provides a method to generate a custom report from
the data in the database.

9\. Graphic Aircraft by Region or State -- Generates a data graphic for
a specific region or state. Selections provide filters for a more
specific display of information (ref. Figure 12).

a\) Filter by aircraft certification

b\) Filter by aircraft class

c\) Filter by aircraft manufacturer

d\) Filter by aircraft model

> e\) Display percentages of selected aircraft within each region and
> overall (available on region data graph only) aircraft distributed
> within each region/state.

f\) Display average ages

![](media/image14.png){width="5.375694444444444in"
height="5.3597222222222225in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044681 .anchor}Figure 12. Graphic Display of
Fixed Wing Aircraft by Region

# APPENDIX A -- faa general aviation demographics user manual

## ADMINISTRATION MODULE

The Administration module shown in Figure 13 is used solely for
administrative purposes only. The Administration module allows
designated administrators to grant access for database usage. This
module also allows an administrator to view users with real time access
to the data.

![](media/image15.png){width="6.125196850393701in"
height="4.375196850393701in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044682 .anchor}Figure 13. Administration Module

## AIRCRAFT DATA COLLECTION MODULE

The Aircraft Data Collection modules shown in Figure 14 through Figure
16 are used solely for input of data into the database for updating or
creating revisions. These actions are accomplished with limited access
privileges only. Be advised this module is not used to obtain a database
report.

![](media/image16.jpeg){width="5.6402777777777775in"
height="4.967361111111111in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044683 .anchor}Figure 14. Aircraft Data
Collection Module -- Select Aircraft Data Collection

Aircraft Data Collection consists of three primary sources:

1\. FAA Registry "Aircraft Reference File"

2\. FAA Registry "Aircraft Registration Master File"

3\. Data used to Calculate

a\) Annual hours flown per aircraft

b\) Annual landings per aircraft

c\) Average operation weight per aircraft

d\) Percent commercial usage

Selections for the Aircraft Data Collection module (ref. Figure 15) are:

1\. Aircraft Reference -- Displays Aircraft Reference File.

2\. Aircraft by Registration -- Displays a listing of aircraft
registered in a specific state made by a specific manufacturer.

3\. Calculated Data by Class -- Allows for entry of data for a specific
class of aircraft.

4\. Calculated Data by Mfg/Model -- Allows for entry of data for a
specific aircraft selected by manufacturer and model.

5\. Exclude Aircraft by Mfg/Model -- Excludes aircraft from the list
based on the manufacturer and model.

![](media/image17.jpeg){width="5.635416666666667in" height="4.53125in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044684 .anchor}Figure 15. Aircraft Data
Collection Module -- Select Required Data Type

![](media/image18.jpeg){width="6.333333333333333in"
height="5.072916666666667in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044685 .anchor}Figure 16. Aircraft Data
Collection Module -- Data Input Results and Entry

## DEMOGRAPHIC INFO MODULE

The Demographic Info module shown in Figure 17 is the primary module for
reporting data for a specific project and for building a custom report.
Time to produce output will vary depending on the quantity of selections
made and current database requisitions in progress. Most of the
selections provide the data in a report format. The report format
typically has multiple pages of data to choose from, such as, a print
screen formatter, a find box and a method to extract data to a
Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet or a pdf.

1\. Aircraft by Manufacturer -- Provides a report of the number of
aircraft and aircraft models produced by ach manufacturer.

2\. Aircraft by Model -- Provides a report of aircraft type by
manufacturer and model.

3\. Aircraft by Year -- Provides a report of aircraft by year of
production.

4\. Aircraft by Region -- Provides a report of aircraft by region.

5\. Aircraft by State -- Provides a report of aircraft by state.

6\. Percent Fleet by Make/Model -- Provides a report showing individual
model percentages combined with a total percentage of the entire fleet
for each manufacturer.

7\. Calculated Data -- Generates reports that show flight hours,
landings, etc., based on type of aircraft or specific manufacturer.

8\. Custom Report -- Provides a method to generate a custom report from
the data in the database. CAUTION -- If a large amount of data is
selected for display, the report will take time to process. This may
require patience by the requestor.

9\. Graphic Aircraft by Region -- Generates a data graphic for a
specific region. Selections provide filters for a specific display of
information.

10\. Graphic Aircraft by State -- Generates a data graphic for a
specific state. Selections provide filters for a specific display of
information.

![](media/image13.png){width="5.997222222222222in"
height="5.903472222222222in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044686 .anchor}Figure 17. Demographic Info
Module

## BUILDING A CUSTOM REPORT

This section is an illustrated step-by-step process of how to build a
custom report using the Demographic Info module (ref. ). Begin by
selecting "Custom Report" (ref. Figure 19) in the Demographic Info
module.

Select data desired for your report; this may be accomplished by
clicking on a title in the left box next by clicking on the arrows at
the bottom and to the right of the box. After selecting all the data
required for the report, next input selected criteria for particular
aircraft.

For example, by inputting a manufacturer name and a year of manufacture,
then title the report and click "Submit." (Figure 20 through Figure 25
shows examples of the setup for creating a report.) This report will
show the manufacturer, model of plane, and the year of manufacture. The
aircraft model used in the examples will limit the sample report to
Beechjet 400A aircraft built before 1980.

![](media/image19.jpeg){width="6.260416666666667in"
height="5.760416666666667in"}

Figure 18. Creating a Custom Report -- Select Demographic Info Module

![](media/image20.jpeg){width="6.677083333333333in"
height="6.885416666666667in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044687 .anchor}Figure 19. Demographic Info
Module -- Select Custom Report

Figure 20 shows an overview of the module used for creating a custom
report.

![](media/image21.jpeg){width="6.260416666666667in"
height="4.322916666666667in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044688 .anchor}Figure 20. Demographic Info
Module -- Overview

Select desired data for your report; accomplish this by clicking on a
title in the left box, next by clicking on the arrows at the bottom and
to the right of the box as shown in Figure 21 and Figure 22.

![](media/image22.jpeg){width="6.53125in" height="5.479166666666667in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044689 .anchor}Figure 21. Demographic Info
Module -- Field Selection

![](media/image23.jpeg){width="6.440277777777778in"
height="5.954861111111111in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044690 .anchor}Figure 22. Demographic Info
Module -- Select Manufacturer Name and Model

After selecting all the data required for the report, input criteria
using "Selection Criteria 1" box (ref. Figure 23) and "Selection
Criteria 2" box (ref. Figure 24) for particular aircraft. A user has the
option of using one or more criteria boxes.

![](media/image24.jpeg){width="6.78125in" height="5.510416666666667in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044691 .anchor}Figure 23. Demographic Info
Module -- Selection Criteria 1

![](media/image25.jpeg){width="6.15625in" height="5.635416666666667in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044692 .anchor}Figure 24. Demographic Info
Module -- Selection Criteria 2

To complete the process you must create a title for the report and click
"Submit" as shown in Figure 25.

![](media/image26.jpeg){width="6.53125in" height="6.010416666666667in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044693 .anchor}Figure 25. Demographic Info
Module -- Create Title and Submit

After the "Submit" button has been selected/activated (ref. Figure 25),
select a report format (ref. Figure 26) by exporting gathered
information to an xls or pdf format. If Microsoft® Excel format is
selected, the information will be displayed as shown in example Figure
27. After data has been transferred to a Microsoft® Excel format, the
data can be manipulated as desired by the user.

![](media/image27.png){width="6.624409448818898in"
height="5.624409448818898in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044694 .anchor}Figure 26. Demographic Info
Module -- Select Format and Export

![](media/image28.png){width="6.0in" height="5.471527777777778in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044695 .anchor}Figure 27. Database Custom
Report in Microsoft® Excel Format

## DEMOGRAPHIC INFO MODULE -- GRAPHIC DATA

Figure 28 provides an overview graphic display model. In order to
generate a graphical data report, the first step is to select the
Demographic Info module (Figure 29).

Graphic Report by Region or State -- Generates a graphic of data for a
specific region or state. Selections provide filters for a more specific
display of information. Figure 29 through Figure 39 provide systematic
illustrations on how to use the demographic information. The following
specific options are available.

1\. Filter by Aircraft Certification (ref. Figure 31).

2\. Filter by Aircraft Class (ref. Figure 32).

3\. Filter by Aircraft Manufacturer (ref. Figure 33).

4\. Filter by Aircraft Model (ref. Figure 34).

5\. Display percentage of selected aircraft distributed with each
region/state\
(ref. Figure 35).

6\. Display the average age of the selected aircraft within each region
and overall (available on region graph only). (Ref. Figure 36.)

![](media/image14.png){width="4.525in" height="4.302083333333333in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044696 .anchor}Figure 28. Demographic Info
Module -- Graphic Display Overview

![](media/image29.png){width="5.8in" height="5.3in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044697 .anchor}Figure 29. Select Demographic
Info Module

![](media/image30.jpeg){width="5.3125in" height="5.3125in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044698 .anchor}Figure 30. Demographic Info
Module -- Aircraft Selection by Region or State

![](media/image31.png){width="5.8in" height="6.55748031496063in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044699 .anchor}Figure 31. Demographic Info
Module -- Select Certification Type

![](media/image32.jpeg){width="6.635416666666667in"
height="5.145833333333333in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044700 .anchor}Figure 32. Demographic Info
Module -- Select Class of Aircraft

![](media/image33.png){width="6.675196850393701in"
height="5.130708661417323in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044701 .anchor}Figure 33. Demographic Info
Module -- Select Aircraft Manufacturer

![](media/image34.png){width="6.55in" height="5.051968503937008in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044702 .anchor}Figure 34. Demographic Info
Module -- Select Model of Aircraft

![](media/image35.png){width="6.75in" height="5.2220472440944885in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044703 .anchor}Figure 35. Demographic Info
Module -- Query Results

Graphical data may be displayed in either "Total Number of Aircraft" or
by "Total Percentage of Aircraft" or both. The sample in Figure 36
illustrates the total number of Beech 400A aircraft registered in the
United States, while the example in Figure 37 shows the percentage of
Beech 400A aircraft registered in the United States.

Be aware that some models such as the Beech 400A are manufactured under
a different manufacturer, for example Raytheon 400A (ref. Figure 38 and
Figure 39).

![](media/image36.png){width="6.626388888888889in"
height="5.322222222222222in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044704 .anchor}Figure 36. Demographic Info
Module -- Totals for Beech 400A

![](media/image37.png){width="6.293055555555555in" height="5.26875in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044705 .anchor}Figure 37. Demographic Info
Module -- Percentages for Beech 400A

![](media/image38.png){width="5.919444444444444in"
height="4.895833333333333in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044706 .anchor}Figure 38. Demographic Info
Module -- Totals for Raytheon 400A

![](media/image39.png){width="6.10625in" height="4.991666666666666in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc185044707 .anchor}Figure 39. Demographic Info
Module -- Percentages for Raytheon 400A