![](media/image1.emf){width="6.999305555555556in"
height="8.485416666666667in"}

**1996 Annual Report Assistant Administrator for System Safety**

**Safety Data Services Division**

March 14, 1997

Dear Reader:

I am pleased to provide you with the 1996 annual edition of the
\"Aviation System Indicators\" report. This report presents graphs and
data tables for 36 aviation system and environmental indicators that the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has developed to give a broad view
of the national aviation system operation and environment.

The 24 system indicators include accident and incident rates, and
measures of efficiency, compliance, and inspector activity. The
environmental indicators include future-oriented and other information
that provide a perspective on the current and future environment in
which the system operates.

I hope you find this information to be a useful tool for assessing

the safety and other aspects of the aviation system. Publication

of this printed report is limited to annual editions. However, quarterly
updates of system indicators data can be accessed on the Internet/World
Wide Web at the Office of System Safety home page
(http://nasdac.faa.gov) and on an FAA bulletin board. The data updates
become available about 7 weeks after the end of each calendar quarter.
Information on how to access the web site and bulletin board may be
found in the appendix of this report.

We welcome your comments and suggestions regarding the report. Please
mail or fax these to Dave Briles at:

Federal Aviation Administration

ASY-100, Room 725

800 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20591

Fax: 202/267-5234

Sincerely,

Barbara Sada

Manager, Safety Data Services Division

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

**EXECUTIVE SUMMARY** ES-1

**NOTES FOR THIS EDITION** N-1

**1.0 INTRODUCTION** 1-1

Background 1-1

Overview of Aviation System and Environmental Indicators 1-2

Report Organization 1-2

**2.0 AVIATION SYSTEM INDICATORS** 2-1

[Accident Indicators]{.underline} 2-3

Large Air Carrier Accident Rates 2-3

Commuter Air Carrier Accident Rates 2-7

Air Taxi Accident Rates 2-10

General Aviation Accident Rates 2-12

Rotorcraft Accident Rates 2-14

Midair Collision Accident Rates 2-16

[Incident Indicators]{.underline} 2-19

Large Air Carrier Aircraft Incident Rates 2-19

Commuter Air Carrier Aircraft Incident Rates 2-23

Air Taxi Aircraft Incident Rates 2-26

General Aviation Aircraft Incident Rates 2-28

Rotorcraft Aircraft Incident Rates 2-30

Number of Near Midair Collisions (NMACs) 2-32

Air Carrier Near Midair Collision (NMAC) Rates 2-34

Pilot Deviation Rates 2-36

Operational Error Rates 2-38

Runway Incursion Rates 2-40

Number of Vehicle/Pedestrian Deviations (VPDs) 2-42

[Efficiency Measures]{.underline} 2-44

Facility/Service Reliability 2-44

Facility/Service Operational Availability 2-46

Delay Rates 2-48

Delays Due to Volume Rates 2-50

[Compliance Measures]{.underline} 2-52

Aircraft Certification System Evaluation Program 2-52

Stage 3 Aircraft Ratio 2-53

[Inspector Activity Measures]{.underline} 2-54

National Inspector Activity Rates 2-54

**3.0 AVIATION ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS** 3-1

Forecast of Annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Growth Rate 3-2

Forecast of Annual Enplanements and Growth Rate 3-4

Total Facility Activity 3-6

Forecast of Annual IFR Aircraft Handled at En Route Centers and Growth
Rate 3-8

Forecast of General Aviation Aircraft Flight Hours 3-10

Number of Certificated Airports 3-12

Number of Certificated Airmen 3-14

Number of Certificate Holders 3-16

Number of Registered Aircraft 3-17

Total System Flight Hours 3-18

Number of Production Approval Holders 3-20

Operating Profit or Loss for All Form 41-Reporting Carriers 3-21

**ACRONYM LIST** A-1

**GLOSSARY** G-1

**Instructions for Accessing ELECTRONIC FILES\
FOR Aviation System Indicators** I-1

**EXECUTIVE SUMMARY**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

This report presents Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-developed
aviation system and environmental indicators, which provide a
comprehensive view of the national aviation system operation and
environment through December 31, 1996. The indicators show trends and
valuable information about the current status of system performance and
show areas that have improved, remained the same, or may need
improvement.

**[BACKGROUND]{.underline}**

This report contains data for 24 aviation system and 12 aviation
environmental indicators. One additional system indicator is under
development. The aviation system indicators reflect current and past
system performance. They are classified as accident indicators, incident
indicators, efficiency measures, compliance measures, and inspector
activity measures. The aviation environmental indicators provide broadly
based, future-oriented information about the environment in which the
aviation system operates, and thus illustrate the potential demands on
the aviation system.

Accident indicators include accident rates for large air carriers,
commuter air carriers, air taxis, general aviation, rotorcraft, and
midair collisions. Incident indicators include aircraft incident rates
for large air carriers, commuter air carriers, air taxis, general
aviation, and rotorcraft. They also include rates of air carrier near
midair collisions (NMACs), pilot deviations, operational errors, and
runway incursions, in addition to the number of vehicle/pedestrian
deviations (VPDs) and NMACs.

Efficiency measures include facility/service reliability,
facility/service operational availability, delay rates, and delays due
to volume rates. Compliance measures include the aircraft certification
system evaluation program, Stage 3 aircraft ratio and airport
certification indicator rate.[^1] Inspector activity measures consist of
national inspector activity rates.

The FAA considers it misleading and inaccurate to treat any one system
indicator as an indicator of the status of the system. Because of the
many redundancies in the system, a decline in one indicator does not, by
itself, represent a degradation in overall system status. Accidents, for
example, usually involve a sequence of failures. Safety is maintained
unless all of the relevant systems and procedures fail. Movement of one
indicator, however, can help FAA management and the aviation community
focus resources to further investigate underlying factors, and thereby
maintain and improve the wide margin of safety that the system is
designed to provide.

**[OBSERVATIONS FOR THIS EDITION]{.underline}**

The number of general aviation accidents decreased in 1996 to a 15-year
low of 1,907 accidents. The accident rate per 100,000 flight hours for
1996 was 8.06, the lowest for any year since 1991 (7.99). Commuters also
had a relatively safe year experiencing 11 total accidents in 1996, the
same as in 1995, which was the second lowest in 15 years. The commuter
total accident rate per 100,000 flight hours for 1996 was 0.44, the same
as in 1995 and the second lowest since 1990. Large air carriers
experienced 38 accidents in 1996, of which 6 were major accidents
(involving fatalities and/or a destroyed aircraft) and the remaining 32
were either injury accidents (involving at least one serious injury and
substantial aircraft damage) or damage accidents (in which no person was
killed or seriously injured, but the aircraft was substantially
damaged). The large air carrier accident rate for 1996 was 0.28
accidents per 100,000 flight hours. This is not significantly different
from 1995's rate of 0.27. The number of air taxi accidents increased in
1996 compared to 1995 (to 87 from 75), which led to a similar increase
in the estimated accident rate to 4.57 accidents per 100,000 flight
hours. (Note that flight hour estimates for air taxis are imprecise.)
The number of rotorcraft accidents rose from 162 in 1995 to 178 in 1996.
The rotorcraft accident rate also increased slightly, but the reader is
cautioned that the flight hour estimates for rotorcraft are imprecise.
The number of midair collisions and the midair collision rate per
100,000 flight hours both increased over 1995 levels to 20 collisions
and a rate of 0.048 per 100,000 flight hours in 1996.

Although aircraft incident data is not complete for the last three
months of 1996, preliminary data for the first nine months of 1996
indicate the number of large air carrier incidents has increased over
the same period of 1995. In contrast, the number of aircraft incidents
in the commuter air carrier, air taxi, general aviation, and rotorcraft
categories have all decreased by 11% or more for January through
September of 1996 compared to the same time period in 1995.

Airspace incident indicators showed mixed results for 1996. The number
of total near midair collisions (NMACs), air carrier NMACs, and
vehicle/pedestrian deviations (VPDs) all declined in 1996 to their
lowest annual totals since the FAA began maintaining data on these
events. Indicators that showed negative trends in 1996 include pilot
deviations (PDs), which reversed a long-term decline and increased 11%
over the number of PDs in 1995, with a similar increase in the PD rate
per 100,000 flight hours (10%). The 1996 operational error (OE) rate,
0.535 OEs per 100,000 facility activities, is slightly higher (3%) than
that for 1995. Both the total number of runway incursions and the runway
incursion (RI) rate for 1996 increased. Comparing the types of RIs
reported in 1995 to those in 1996, pilot deviation RIs increased from
127 to 155, VPD RIs increased from 50 to 61, and operational error RIs
increased from 65 to 71.

Efficiency indicators show a slight decrease in system efficiency for
1996. Facility service operational availability and reliability both
decreased slightly compared to 1995 (although both values for 1996 were
the second best values\--exceeded only by 1995\--since these data were
first collected in 1988). The total delay rate and the rate of delays
due to volume both increased in 1996 over 1995 levels.

**NOTES FOR THIS EDITION**

**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

Aircraft incident data for October, November, and December 1996 are
incomplete as this report is being prepared. Therefore, no data for
these three months or for calendar year 1996 are presented in this
report. These data are expected to be available in the System Indicator
electronic file INCIDENT.XLS, to be updated around May 30, 1997. This
file can be accessed on the Internet or through an FAA electronic
bulletin board, as described on pages I-1 through I-3 of this report.

Data for the Forecast of Gross Domestic Product Environmental Indicator
are now presented in billions of 1992 dollars and have been calculated
using a new method. These data were previously presented in billions of
1987 dollars.

Historical data for the Forecast of Passenger Enplanements and Forecast
of IFR Aircraft Handled Environmental Indicators have been revised
because a different source within the FAA was used to obtain some of the
input data used to prepare these indicators. Specifically, the new data
have been extracted from a database that relies primarily on data
submitted electronically on a daily basis from FAA air traffic control
facilities rather than an alternate database prepared from data
submitted monthly in hard copy form.

**1. INTRODUCTION**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

This report presents Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-developed
aviation system and environmental indicators, which provide a
comprehensive view of the national aviation system operation and
environment through December 31, 1996. The indicators show trends and
valuable information about the current status of system performance and
show areas that have improved, remained the same, or that may need
improvement.

This chapter discusses the background leading to the development of the
aviation system indicators, a brief overview of the indicators, and the
organization of the report.

**[BACKGROUND]{.underline}**

The FAA is responsible for monitoring and managing the national aviation
system and has developed system indicators to assist with this
responsibility. Other government entities are also interested in the
ability to view the status of the aviation system. For example, the U.S.
Senate Appropriations Committee requested that the FAA develop
indicators that would accurately reflect the status of the aviation
system. Also, the General Accounting Office, the Office of Technology
Assessment, and other organizations have requested the FAA to develop
such indicators. The aviation community is also interested in knowing
the status of the aviation system to facilitate its contribution to
increasing safety.

Responding to these needs, the FAA developed aviation system and
environmental indicators. Aviation system indicators are primarily
measures of past or current system performance. The FAA also developed
aviation environmental indicators to illustrate potential demands on the
aviation system. To expedite the development of these indicators, an
executive-level Task Force with representatives from all major program
areas was formed. The Task Force identified an initial set of system and
environmental indicators, which have been modified over time to now
include 25 system indicators and 12 environmental indicators.

The FAA considers it misleading and inaccurate to treat any one system
indicator as an indicator of the status of the system. Because of the
many redundancies in the system, a decline in one indicator does not, by
itself, represent a degradation in overall system status. Accidents, for
example, usually involve a sequence of failures. Safety is maintained
unless all of the relevant systems and procedures fail. Movement of one
indicator, however, can help FAA management and the aviation community
focus resources to further investigate underlying factors, and thereby
maintain and improve the wide margin of safety that the system is
designed to provide.

**[OVERVIEW OF AVIATION SYSTEM AND ENVIRONMENTAL
INDICATORS]{.underline}**

Currently, 24 of the 25 indicators have been developed; the one
compliance measure still under development is airport certification
indicator rate. This report provides data for 24 aviation system
indicators classified in the broad categories of:

• Accident indicators (6 indicators)

• Incident indicators (11 indicators)

• Efficiency measures (4 measures)

• Compliance measures (2 measures)

• Inspector activity measures (1 measure).

The 12 environmental indicators provide a context for the system
indicators. They include measures such as the forecast of annual
enplanements, the forecast of annual instrument flight rule (IFR)
aircraft handled at en route centers, and the number of aircraft hours
flown.

This report is updated annually. New indicators will be added over time
as a result of an ongoing review process to assess the status of
aviation system performance. Current indicators will be modified and
refined, as appropriate, to ensure their continuing adequacy and
validity as measures of system performance. For example, inspector
activity measures have replaced the surveillance measures first
developed by the Task Force. Inspector activities include safety
activities such as surveillance, investigation, education and training,
as well as general technical functions.

**[REPORT ORGANIZATION]{.underline}**

The remainder of this report is organized into two chapters as follows:

> • [Chapter 2]{.underline} shows the aviation system indicator values
> in graphical and tabular formats by classification categories
> (accident indicators, incident indicators, efficiency measures,
> compliance measures, and inspector activity measures).

• [Chapter 3]{.underline} shows the aviation environmental indicator
values in graphical and tabular formats.

Three reference sections follow the chapters:

• [Acronym List]{.underline} provides a list of acronyms used in this
report.

• [Glossary]{.underline} provides definitions of terms used.

• [Instructions for Accessing Electronic Files for Aviation System
Indicators]{.underline} provides instructions for acquiring aviation
system indicator data on the Internet and from an FAA electronic
bulletin board.

**2. AVIATION SYSTEM INDICATORS**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Aviation system indicators are classified as accident indicators,
incident indicators, efficiency measures, compliance measures, and
inspector activity measures. The aviation system indicators presented in
this chapter are listed below.

**Aviation System Indicators**

Information presented for each aviation system indicator includes a
brief description of the indicator, graphs, a data table, and the
formulas used to calculate the indicator values. The data tables and
graphs for most aviation system indicators include two methods of
calculating monthly values: actual monthly rates and 12-month moving
average rates. Actual monthly rates indicate the number of accidents or
incidents that occurred during that month divided by the appropriate
measure of activity (e.g., flight hours or departures).[^2] The 12-month
moving average rates indicate the number of accidents or incidents that
occurred during the past 12 months divided by the appropriate measure of
activity for the past 12 months. The moving average smoothes the data to
dampen seasonal or other fluctuations. The indicators are presented both
ways so that the reader may see actual values as well as underlying
trends.

The formulas show the calculations required to derive indicator values.
Shorthand notation is used for some formulas to combine several similar
equations into one expression. For example, the formula:

![](media/image2.emf)

represents the following four separate equations:

![](media/image3.emf)

![](media/image4.emf)

![](media/image5.emf)

![](media/image6.emf)

In some instances data for recent months are preliminary and will change
in subsequent editions of the report. This may occur, for example, when
accidents are still under investigation. In some instances activity may
also be estimated when actual data are not available.

LARGE AIR CARRIER ACCIDENT RATES

![](media/image7.emf){width="6.997916666666667in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

![](media/image8.emf)

**LARGE AIR CARRIER ACCIDENT DATA**

  -- ---------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------- ----------
     Calendar   No. of      No. of       Accident              No. of       Accident Rate 
                                         Rate                                             

     Year       Accidents   Flight Hours (per                  Departures   (per 100,000  
                                         100,000                            departures)   
                                         flight                                           
                                         hours)                                           

     1990       24          12,150,116              0.20       8,092,306                  0.30

     1991       26          11,780,610              0.22       7,814,875                  0.33

     1992       18          12,359,715              0.15       7,880,707                  0.23

     1993       23          12,706,206              0.18       8,074,393                  0.28

     1994       23          13,122,221              0.18       8,242,903                  0.28

     1995       36          13,513,219              0.27       8,451,606                  0.43

     1996       38          13,683,000              0.28       8,554,000                  0.44

     Month                               Monthly    12-Mo Mov               Monthly       12-Mo Mov
                                                    Avg                                   Avg

     JAN 95     3           1,108,901    0.27       0.20       682,934      0.44          0.31

     FEB 95     0           1,013,990    0.00       0.18       629,689      0.00          0.29

     MAR 95     2           1,141,531    0.18       0.17       708,351      0.28          0.28

     APR 95     5           1,097,918    0.46       0.20       678,526      0.74          0.32

     MAY 95     2           1,115,275    0.18       0.22       693,623      0.29          0.35

     JUN 95     6           1,116,562    0.54       0.25       690,275      0.87          0.40

     JUL 95     1           1,173,842    0.09       0.23       740,586      0.14          0.37

     AUG 95     5           1,191,291    0.42       0.25       758,425      0.66          0.41

     SEP 95     1           1,117,392    0.09       0.24       709,405      0.14          0.38

     OCT 95     3           1,160,630    0.26       0.25       738,020      0.41          0.40

     NOV 95     4           1,112,549    0.36       0.24       700,924      0.57          0.39

     DEC 95     4           1,163,339    0.34       0.27       720,848      0.55          0.43

     JAN 96     2           1,103,632    0.18       0.26       689,941      0.29          0.41

     FEB 96     6           1,028,361    0.58       0.30       642,885      0.93          0.48

     MAR 96     4           1,115,838    0.36       0.32       697,572      0.57          0.51

     APR 96     1           1,121,941    0.09       0.29       701,387      0.14          0.46

     MAY 96     2           1,150,422    0.17       0.29       719,192      0.28          0.46

     JUN 96     2           1,159,576    0.17       0.26       724,915      0.28          0.41

     JUL 96     7           1,215,521    0.58       0.30       759,889      0.92          0.48

     AUG 96     2           1,219,589    0.16       0.28       762,433      0.26          0.44

     SEP 96     2           1,131,095    0.18       0.29       707,110      0.28          0.46

     OCT 96     3           1,157,542    0.26       0.29       723,643      0.41          0.46

     NOV 96     2           1,112,786    0.18       0.27       695,664      0.29          0.43

     DEC 96     5           1,166,696    0.43       0.28       729,366      0.69          0.44
  -- ---------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------- ----------

Data sources: NTSB - Accident data; DOT, FAA - Flight hour and departure
data

LARGE AIR CARRIER ACCIDENT RATES

![](media/image9.emf){width="5.978472222222222in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

![](media/image10.emf){width="5.978472222222222in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

![](media/image11.emf)

![](media/image2.emf)

COMMUTER AIR CARRIER ACCIDENT RATES

![](media/image12.emf){width="7.002083333333333in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

**COMMUTER AIR CARRIER ACCIDENT DATA**

  -- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------- ----------
     Calendar   No. of      No. of      Accident              No. of       Accident Rate 
                                        Rate                                             

     Year       Accidents   Flight      (per                  Departures   (per 100,000  
                            Hours       100,000                            departures)   
                                        flight                                           
                                        hours)                                           

     1990       16          2,341,760              0.68       3,160,089                  0.51

     1991       22          2,291,693              0.96       2,820,440                  0.78

     1992       23          2,363,745              0.97       3,114,932                  0.74

     1993       16          2,641,268              0.61       3,601,902                  0.44

     1994       10          2,787,904              0.36       3,850,372                  0.26

     1995       11          2,478,872              0.44       3,216,900                  0.34

     1996       11          2,474,000              0.44       3,171,000                  0.35

     Month                              Monthly    12-Mo Mov               Monthly       12-Mo Mov
                                                   Avg                                   Avg

     JAN 95     2           189,554     1.06       0.40       245,990      0.81          0.29

     FEB 95     1           178,271     0.56       0.33       231,347      0.43          0.24

     MAR 95     4           199,709     2.00       0.49       259,168      1.54          0.36

     APR 95     0           206,479     0.00       0.49       267,953      0.00          0.36

     MAY 95     0           210,992     0.00       0.49       273,810      0.00          0.37

     JUN 95     0           214,377     0.00       0.46       278,203      0.00          0.34

     JUL 95     1           222,275     0.45       0.50       288,452      0.35          0.38

     AUG 95     1           227,916     0.44       0.55       295,773      0.34          0.41

     SEP 95     0           213,248     0.00       0.55       276,738      0.00          0.42

     OCT 95     0           210,992     0.00       0.52       273,810      0.00          0.40

     NOV 95     1           198,581     0.50       0.52       257,703      0.39          0.40

     DEC 95     1           206,479     0.48       0.44       267,953      0.37          0.34

     JAN 96     0           186,936     0.00       0.36       239,601      0.00          0.28

     FEB 96     1           176,622     0.57       0.36       226,382      0.44          0.28

     MAR 96     1           207,563     0.48       0.24       266,040      0.38          0.19

     APR 96     1           201,117     0.50       0.28       257,778      0.39          0.22

     MAY 96     4           215,299     1.86       0.44       275,955      1.45          0.34

     JUN 96     2           216,588     0.92       0.52       277,607      0.72          0.41

     JUL 96     0           215,299     0.00       0.48       275,955      0.00          0.38

     AUG 96     1           226,902     0.44       0.48       290,826      0.34          0.38

     SEP 96     0           214,009     0.00       0.48       274,302      0.00          0.38

     OCT 96     0           215,299     0.00       0.48       275,955      0.00          0.38

     NOV 96     1           199,828     0.50       0.48       256,126      0.39          0.38

     DEC 96     0           198,539     0.00       0.44       254,473      0.00          0.35
  -- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------- ----------

Data sources: NTSB - Accident data; DOT, FAA - Flight hour and departure
data

COMMUTER AIR CARRIER ACCIDENT RATES

![](media/image13.emf){width="5.997222222222222in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

![](media/image14.emf){width="6.026388888888889in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

**AIR TAXI ACCIDENT DATA**

  -------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
                 Calendar   No. of      No. of      Accident     
                                                    Rate         

                 Year       Accidents   Flight      (per 100,000 
                                        Hours       flight       
                                                    hours)       

                 1990       106         2,249,000                4.71

                 1991       87          2,241,000                3.88

                 1992       76          2,009,000                3.78

                 1993       69          1,809,000                3.81

                 1994       85          1,993,000                4.26

                 1995       75          1,910,000                3.93

                 1996       87          1,902,000                4.57

                 Month                              Monthly      12-Mo Mov
                                                                 Avg

                 JAN 95     7           147,289     4.75         4.22

                 FEB 95     7           137,786     5.08         4.30

                 MAR 95     9           154,891     5.81         4.37

                 APR 95     4           156,791     2.55         4.23

                 MAY 95     7           160,592     4.36         4.45

                 JUN 95     8           164,393     4.87         4.78

                 JUL 95     9           171,045     5.26         4.43

                 AUG 95     7           175,796     3.98         3.99

                 SEP 95     4           164,393     2.43         3.96

                 OCT 95     4           163,443     2.45         4.08

                 NOV 95     2           153,940     1.30         3.98

                 DEC 95     7           159,642     4.38         3.93

                 JAN 96     9           144,091     6.25         4.04

                 FEB 96     7           136,620     5.12         4.04

                 MAR 96     4           160,101     2.50         3.77

                 APR 96     6           154,764     3.88         3.88

                 MAY 96     3           165,438     1.81         3.66

                 JUN 96     6           167,572     3.58         3.55

                 JUL 96     7           168,640     4.15         3.45

                 AUG 96     12          177,178     6.77         3.71

                 SEP 96     11          167,572     6.56         4.06

                 OCT 96     7           162,236     4.31         4.22

                 NOV 96     5           149,428     3.35         4.39

                 DEC 96     10          148,360     6.74         4.57
  -------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------

Data sources: NTSB - Accident data; FAA - Flight hour estimates

AIR TAXI ACCIDENT RATES

![](media/image15.emf){width="5.614583333333333in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

![](media/image16.emf){width="5.614583333333333in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

![](media/image11.emf)

![](media/image17.emf)

**GENERAL AVIATION ACCIDENT DATA**

  -------------- ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
                 Calendar   No. of      No. of       Accident     
                                                     Rate         

                 Year       Accidents   Flight Hours (per 100,000 
                                                     flight       
                                                     hours)       

                 1990       2,215       28,510,000                7.77

                 1991       2,175       27,226,000                7.99

                 1992       2,073       23,792,000                8.71

                 1993       2,039       22,531,000                9.05

                 1994       1,994       21,873,000                9.12

                 1995       2,054       23,538,000                8.73

                 1996       1,907       23,650,000                8.06

                 Month                               Monthly      12-Mo Mov
                                                                  Avg

                 JAN 95     90          1,541,333    5.84         9.02

                 FEB 95     115         1,681,072    6.84         8.93

                 MAR 95     134         1,989,642    6.73         8.74

                 APR 95     171         2,034,305    8.41         8.74

                 MAY 95     164         2,090,243    7.85         8.52

                 JUN 95     228         2,139,064    10.66        8.56

                 JUL 95     265         2,235,512    11.85        8.61

                 AUG 95     261         2,258,430    11.56        8.66

                 SEP 95     206         2,154,099    9.56         8.63

                 OCT 95     165         2,075,061    7.95         8.67

                 NOV 95     127         1,796,934    7.07         8.70

                 DEC 95     128         1,542,304    8.30         8.73

                 JAN 96     103         1,518,291    6.78         8.79

                 FEB 96     103         1,677,297    6.14         8.74

                 MAR 96     138         2,090,272    6.60         8.72

                 APR 96     169         2,027,332    8.34         8.71

                 MAY 96     187         2,218,361    8.43         8.76

                 JUN 96     212         2,149,900    9.86         8.69

                 JUL 96     240         2,185,234    10.98        8.61

                 AUG 96     232         2,213,944    10.48        8.50

                 SEP 96     163         2,125,607    7.67         8.33

                 OCT 96     148         2,104,627    7.03         8.25

                 NOV 96     106         1,731,403    6.12         8.18

                 DEC 96     106         1,607,732    6.59         8.06
  -------------- ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------

Data sources: NTSB - Accident data; FAA - Flight hour estimates

GENERAL AVIATION ACCIDENT RATES

![](media/image18.emf){width="5.614583333333333in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

![](media/image19.emf){width="5.614583333333333in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

![](media/image17.emf){width="5.997222222222222in"
height="0.34305555555555556in"}

**ROTORCRAFT ACCIDENT DATA**

  -------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
                 Calendar   No. of      No. of      Accident     
                                                    Rate         

                 Year       Accidents   Flight      (per 100,000 
                                        Hours       flight       
                                                    hours)       

                 1990       216         2,440,150                8.85

                 1991       190         2,356,172                8.06

                 1992       194         2,075,191                9.35

                 1993       176         1,942,166                9.06

                 1994       207         1,951,782                10.61

                 1995       162         2,032,688                7.97

                 1996       178         2,037,570                8.74

                 Month                              Monthly      12-Mo Mov
                                                                 Avg

                 JAN 95     12          139,369     8.61         10.46

                 FEB 95     13          145,558     8.93         10.42

                 MAR 95     15          169,960     8.83         10.42

                 APR 95     11          173,358     6.35         9.92

                 MAY 95     18          177,978     10.11        9.71

                 JUN 95     19          182,139     10.43        9.57

                 JUL 95     18          190,131     9.47         9.10

                 AUG 95     14          192,923     7.26         8.65

                 SEP 95     22          183,085     12.02        8.91

                 OCT 95     7           177,796     3.94         8.40

                 NOV 95     8           157,466     5.08         8.12

                 DEC 95     5           142,924     3.50         7.97

                 JAN 96     5           137,014     3.65         7.63

                 FEB 96     11          144,988     7.59         7.54

                 MAR 96     13          177,823     7.31         7.41

                 APR 96     16          172,326     9.28         7.66

                 MAY 96     11          187,462     5.87         7.28

                 JUN 96     18          183,711     9.80         7.23

                 JUL 96     26          186,237     13.96        7.63

                 AUG 96     15          190,473     7.88         7.69

                 SEP 96     20          182,154     10.98        7.60

                 OCT 96     22          179,368     12.27        8.33

                 NOV 96     14          152,080     9.21         8.64

                 DEC 96     7           143,933     4.86         8.74
  -------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------

Data sources: NTSB - Accident data; FAA - Flight hour estimates

ROTORCRAFT ACCIDENT RATES

![](media/image20.emf){width="5.604166666666667in"
height="3.6597222222222223in"}

![](media/image21.emf){width="5.604166666666667in"
height="3.6805555555555554in"}

![](media/image22.emf)

**MIDAIR COLLISION ACCIDENT DATA**

  -------------- ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
                 Calendar   No. of      Total System Accident     
                                                     Rate         

                 Year       Accidents   Flight Hours (per 100,000 
                                                     flight       
                                                     hours)       

                 1990       21          45,250,876                0.046

                 1991       22          43,539,303                0.051

                 1992       13          40,524,460                0.032

                 1993       13          39,687,474                0.033

                 1994       12          39,776,125                0.030

                 1995       15          41,440,091                0.036

                 1996       20          41,709,000                0.048

                 Month                               Monthly      12-Mo Mov
                                                                  Avg

                 JAN 95     0           2,987,077    0.000        0.028

                 FEB 95     1           3,011,119    0.033        0.025

                 MAR 95     1           3,485,772    0.029        0.025

                 APR 95     2           3,495,492    0.057        0.025

                 MAY 95     0           3,577,102    0.000        0.025

                 JUN 95     4           3,634,396    0.110        0.032

                 JUL 95     2           3,802,674    0.053        0.032

                 AUG 95     1           3,853,433    0.026        0.034

                 SEP 95     2           3,649,132    0.055        0.034

                 OCT 95     0           3,610,125    0.000        0.034

                 NOV 95     1           3,262,004    0.031        0.036

                 DEC 95     1           3,071,764    0.033        0.036

                 JAN 96     0           2,952,949    0.000        0.036

                 FEB 96     3           3,018,900    0.099        0.041

                 MAR 96     4           3,573,774    0.112        0.048

                 APR 96     1           3,505,155    0.029        0.046

                 MAY 96     1           3,749,519    0.027        0.048

                 JUN 96     3           3,693,636    0.081        0.046

                 JUL 96     1           3,784,693    0.026        0.043

                 AUG 96     1           3,837,613    0.026        0.043

                 SEP 96     2           3,638,284    0.055        0.043

                 OCT 96     2           3,639,703    0.055        0.048

                 NOV 96     0           3,193,445    0.000        0.046

                 DEC 96     2           3,121,327    0.064        0.048
  -------------- ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------

Data sources: NTSB - Accident data; DOT, FAA - Flight hour estimates

MIDAIR COLLISION ACCIDENT RATES

![](media/image23.emf){width="5.614583333333333in"
height="3.6180555555555554in"}

![](media/image24.emf){width="5.614583333333333in"
height="3.441666666666667in"}

![](media/image25.emf)

**Description:** This indicator compares the number of midair collisions
involving all operator types to the number of flight hours for all
operators, i.e., large air carrier flight hours + commuter flight
hours + air taxi flight hours + general aviation flight hours.

LARGE AIR CARRIER AIRCRAFT INCIDENT RATES

![](media/image26.emf){width="6.654166666666667in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

![](media/image8.emf)

**LARGE AIR CARRIER AIRCRAFT INCIDENT DATA**

  -- -------------- --------------- ------------ ------------- ---------- ---------------- --------------- ----------
     **Calendar**   **No. of**      **No. of**   **Incident               **No. of**       **Incident      
                                                 Rate**                                    Rate**          

     **Year**       **Incidents**   **Flight     **(per                   **Departures**   **(per 100,000  
                                    Hours**      100,000                                   departures)**   
                                                 flight                                                    
                                                 hours)**                                                  

     1990           663             12,150,116                 5.46       8,092,306                        8.19

     1991           564             11,780,610                 4.79       7,814,875                        7.22

     1992           503             12,359,715                 4.07       7,880,707                        6.38

     1993           417             12,706,206                 3.28       8,074,393                        5.16

     1994           360             13,122,221                 2.74       8,242,903                        4.37

     1995           351             13,513,219                 2.60       8,451,606                        4.15

     1996           Not complete    13,683,000                            8,554,000                        

     **Month**                                   **Monthly**   **12-Mo                     **Monthly**     **12-Mo
                                                               Mov Avg**                                   Mov Avg**

     JAN 95         29              1,108,901    2.62          2.63       682,934          4.25            4.19

     FEB 95         28              1,013,990    2.76          2.56       629,689          4.45            4.07

     MAR 95         36              1,141,531    3.15          2.65       708,351          5.08            4.22

     APR 95         32              1,097,918    2.91          2.66       678,526          4.72            4.24

     MAY 95         31              1,115,275    2.78          2.66       693,623          4.47            4.25

     JUN 95         33              1,116,562    2.96          2.66       690,275          4.78            4.26

     JUL 95         26              1,173,842    2.21          2.65       740,586          3.51            4.24

     AUG 95         28              1,191,291    2.35          2.66       758,425          3.69            4.25

     SEP 95         23              1,117,392    2.06          2.66       709,405          3.24            4.26

     OCT 95         24              1,160,630    2.07          2.66       738,020          3.25            4.25

     NOV 95         31              1,112,549    2.79          2.57       700,924          4.42            4.11

     DEC 95         30              1,163,339    2.58          2.60       720,848          4.16            4.15

     JAN 96         27              1,103,632    2.45          2.58       689,941          3.91            4.13

     FEB 96         35              1,028,361    3.40          2.63       642,885          5.44            4.20

     MAR 96         46              1,115,838    4.12          2.71       697,572          6.59            4.33

     APR 96         25              1,121,941    2.23          2.66       701,387          3.56            4.23

     MAY 96         30              1,150,422    2.61          2.64       719,192          4.17            4.21

     JUN 96         45              1,159,576    3.88          2.72       724,915          6.21            4.33

     JUL 96         29              1,215,521    2.39          2.73       759,889          3.82            4.36

     AUG 96         35              1,219,589    2.87          2.78       762,433          4.59            4.44

     SEP 96         22              1,131,095    1.95          2.77       707,110          3.11            4.42

     OCT 96         Not complete    1,157,542                             723,643                          

     NOV 96         Not complete    1,112,786                             695,664                          

     DEC 96         Not complete    1,166,696                             729,366                          
  -- -------------- --------------- ------------ ------------- ---------- ---------------- --------------- ----------

Data sources: FAA - Incident data; DOT, FAA - Flight hour and departure
data

**LARGE AIR CARRIER AIRCRAFT INCIDENT RATES**

![](media/image27.emf){width="5.999305555555556in"
height="3.7118055555555554in"}

![](media/image28.emf){width="5.999305555555556in"
height="3.7118055555555554in"}

![](media/image11.emf)

![](media/image29.emf)

**COMMUTER AIR CARRIER AIRCRAFT INCIDENT RATES**

![](media/image30.emf){width="6.654166666666667in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

![](media/image8.emf)

**COMMUTER AIR CARRIER AIRCRAFT INCIDENT DATA**

  -- -------------- --------------- ----------- ------------- ---------- ---------------- --------------- ----------
     **Calendar**   **No. of**      **No. of**  **Incident               **No. of**       **Incident      
                                                Rate**                                    Rate**          

     **Year**       **Incidents**   **Flight    **(per                   **Departures**   **(per 100,000  
                                    Hours**     100,000                                   departures)**   
                                                flight                                                    
                                                hours)**                                                  

     1990           269             2,341,760                 11.49      3,160,089                        8.51

     1991           296             2,291,693                 12.92      2,820,440                        10.49

     1992           214             2,363,745                 9.05       3,114,932                        6.87

     1993           177             2,641,268                 6.70       3,601,902                        4.91

     1994           128             2,787,904                 4.59       3,850,372                        3.32

     1995           108             2,478,872                 4.36       3,216,900                        3.36

     1996           Not complete    2,474,000                            3,171,000                        

     **Month**                                  **Monthly**   **12-Mo                     **Monthly**     **12-Mo
                                                              Mov Avg**                                   Mov Avg**

     JAN 95         17              189,554     8.97          4.57       245,990          6.91            3.32

     FEB 95         13              178,271     7.29          4.67       231,347          5.62            3.41

     MAR 95         11              199,709     5.51          4.52       259,168          4.24            3.32

     APR 95         5               206,479     2.42          4.18       267,953          1.87            3.08

     MAY 95         4               210,992     1.90          3.95       273,810          1.46            2.93

     JUN 95         7               214,377     3.27          4.03       278,203          2.52            3.00

     JUL 95         4               222,275     1.80          3.87       288,452          1.39            2.90

     AUG 95         6               227,916     2.63          3.75       295,773          2.03            2.83

     SEP 95         8               213,248     3.75          3.63       276,738          2.89            2.75

     OCT 95         10              210,992     4.74          3.83       273,810          3.65            2.92

     NOV 95         11              198,581     5.54          4.10       257,703          4.27            3.14

     DEC 95         12              206,479     5.81          4.36       267,953          4.48            3.36

     JAN 96         6               186,936     3.21          3.92       239,601          2.50            3.02

     FEB 96         4               176,622     2.26          3.56       226,382          1.77            2.75

     MAR 96         8               207,563     3.85          3.42       266,040          3.01            2.65

     APR 96         6               201,117     2.98          3.47       257,778          2.33            2.69

     MAY 96         9               215,299     4.18          3.67       275,955          3.26            2.84

     JUN 96         13              216,588     6.00          3.91       277,607          4.68            3.03

     JUL 96         16              215,299     7.43          4.40       275,955          5.80            3.42

     AUG 96         4               226,902     1.76          4.32       290,826          1.38            3.36

     SEP 96         1               214,009     0.47          4.04       274,302          0.36            3.14

     OCT 96         Not complete    215,299                              275,955                          

     NOV 96         Not complete    199,828                              256,126                          

     DEC 96         Not complete    198,539                              254,473                          
  -- -------------- --------------- ----------- ------------- ---------- ---------------- --------------- ----------

Data sources: FAA - Incident data; DOT, FAA - Flight hour and departure
data

**COMMUTER AIR CARRIER AIRCRAFT INCIDENT RATES**

![](media/image31.emf){width="5.999305555555556in"
height="3.7118055555555554in"}

![](media/image32.emf){width="5.999305555555556in"
height="3.7118055555555554in"}

![](media/image11.emf)

AIR TAXI AIRCRAFT INCIDENT DATA

  -------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
                 Calendar   No. of      No. of      Incident     
                                                    Rate         

                 Year       Incidents   Flight      (per 100,000 
                                        Hours       flight       
                                                    hours)       

                 1990       217         2,249,000                9.65

                 1991       197         2,241,000                8.79

                 1992       148         2,009,000                7.37

                 1993       151         1,809,000                8.35

                 1994       183         1,993,000                9.18

                 1995       201         1,910,000                10.52

                 1996       Not         1,902,000                
                            complete                             

                 Month                              Monthly      12-Mo Mov
                                                                 Avg

                 JAN 95     23          147,289     15.62        9.40

                 FEB 95     17          137,786     12.34        9.86

                 MAR 95     12          154,891     7.75         9.56

                 APR 95     21          156,791     13.39        9.74

                 MAY 95     16          160,592     9.96         10.03

                 JUN 95     22          164,393     13.38        10.49

                 JUL 95     10          171,045     5.85         10.52

                 AUG 95     17          175,796     9.67         10.46

                 SEP 95     17          164,393     10.34        11.05

                 OCT 95     14          163,443     8.57         11.05

                 NOV 95     15          153,940     9.74         11.01

                 DEC 95     17          159,642     10.65        10.52

                 JAN 96     15          144,091     10.41        10.12

                 FEB 96     9           136,620     6.59         9.71

                 MAR 96     7           160,101     4.37         9.42

                 APR 96     15          154,764     9.69         9.12

                 MAY 96     12          165,438     7.25         8.88

                 JUN 96     17          167,572     10.14        8.61

                 JUL 96     14          168,640     8.30         8.83

                 AUG 96     13          177,178     7.34         8.61

                 SEP 96     9           167,572     5.37         8.18

                 OCT 96     Not         162,236                  
                            complete                             

                 NOV 96     Not         149,428                  
                            complete                             

                 DEC 96     Not         148,360                  
                            complete                             
  -------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------

Data source: FAA

**AIR TAXI AIRCRAFT INCIDENT RATES**

![](media/image33.emf){width="5.816666666666666in"
height="3.6180555555555554in"}

![](media/image34.emf){width="5.999305555555556in" height="3.65in"}

![](media/image11.emf)

![](media/image35.emf)

GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT INCIDENT DATA

  -------------- ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
                 Calendar   No. of      No. of       Incident     
                                                     Rate         

                 Year       Incidents   Flight Hours (per 100,000 
                                                     flight       
                                                     hours)       

                 1990       2,648       28,510,000                9.29

                 1991       2,640       27,226,000                9.70

                 1992       2,309       23,792,000                9.70

                 1993       2,028       22,531,000                9.00

                 1994       1,866       21,873,000                8.53

                 1995       1,824       23,538,000                7.75

                 1996       Not         23,650,000                
                            complete                              

                 Month                               Monthly      12-Mo Mov
                                                                  Avg

                 JAN 95     108         1,541,333    7.01         8.39

                 FEB 95     139         1,681,072    8.27         8.35

                 MAR 95     173         1,989,642    8.70         8.25

                 APR 95     148         2,034,305    7.28         8.15

                 MAY 95     182         2,090,243    8.71         8.10

                 JUN 95     180         2,139,064    8.41         8.13

                 JUL 95     203         2,235,512    9.08         8.10

                 AUG 95     183         2,258,430    8.10         8.14

                 SEP 95     148         2,154,099    6.87         8.03

                 OCT 95     157         2,075,061    7.57         8.04

                 NOV 95     118         1,796,934    6.57         7.96

                 DEC 95     85          1,542,304    5.51         7.75

                 JAN 96     98          1,518,291    6.45         7.71

                 FEB 96     85          1,677,297    5.07         7.49

                 MAR 96     137         2,090,272    6.55         7.30

                 APR 96     120         2,027,332    5.92         7.18

                 MAY 96     171         2,218,361    7.71         7.10

                 JUN 96     189         2,149,900    8.79         7.13

                 JUL 96     167         2,185,234    7.64         7.00

                 AUG 96     179         2,213,944    8.09         6.99

                 SEP 96     152         2,125,607    7.15         7.02

                 OCT 96     Not         2,104,627                 
                            complete                              

                 NOV 96     Not         1,731,403                 
                            complete                              

                 DEC 96     Not         1,607,732                 
                            complete                              
  -------------- ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------

Data source: FAA

**GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT INCIDENT RATES**

![](media/image36.emf){width="5.884722222222222in"
height="3.6805555555555554in"}

![](media/image37.emf){width="5.947222222222222in"
height="3.6180555555555554in"}

![](media/image11.emf)

![](media/image35.emf)

**ROTORCRAFT AIRCRAFT INCIDENT DATA**

  -------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
                 Calendar   No. of      No. of      Incident     
                                                    Rate         

                 Year       Incidents   Flight      (per 100,000 
                                        Hours       flight       
                                                    hours)       

                 1990       119         2,440,150                4.88

                 1991       103         2,356,172                4.37

                 1992       86          2,075,191                4.14

                 1993       99          1,942,166                5.10

                 1994       80          1,951,782                4.10

                 1995       124         2,032,688                6.10

                 1996       Not         2,037,570                
                            complete                             

                 Month                              Monthly      12-Mo Mov
                                                                 Avg

                 JAN 95     7           139,369     5.02         4.29

                 FEB 95     9           145,558     6.18         4.68

                 MAR 95     7           169,960     4.12         4.83

                 APR 95     8           173,358     4.61         4.86

                 MAY 95     14          177,978     7.87         5.00

                 JUN 95     20          182,139     10.98        5.64

                 JUL 95     13          190,131     6.84         5.80

                 AUG 95     17          192,923     8.81         6.16

                 SEP 95     11          183,085     6.01         6.48

                 OCT 95     9           177,796     5.06         6.67

                 NOV 95     6           157,466     3.81         6.55

                 DEC 95     3           142,924     2.10         6.10

                 JAN 96     3           137,014     2.19         5.91

                 FEB 96     1           144,988     0.69         5.52

                 MAR 96     6           177,823     3.37         5.45

                 APR 96     8           172,326     4.64         5.45

                 MAY 96     7           187,462     3.73         5.08

                 JUN 96     11          183,711     5.99         4.64

                 JUL 96     5           186,237     2.68         4.26

                 AUG 96     6           190,473     3.15         3.72

                 SEP 96     4           182,154     2.20         3.38

                 OCT 96     Not         179,368                  
                            complete                             

                 NOV 96     Not         152,080                  
                            complete                             

                 DEC 96     Not         143,933                  
                            complete                             
  -------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------

Data source: FAA

**ROTORCRAFT AIRCRAFT INCIDENT RATES**

![](media/image38.emf){width="5.884722222222222in"
height="3.6180555555555554in"}

![](media/image39.emf){width="5.884722222222222in"
height="3.6180555555555554in"}

**NEAR MIDAIR COLLISION (NMAC) DATA**

  ------------------------ ----------------- ---------- -----------------
                                                        

                           Calendar Year     No. of     
                                             NMACs      

                           1990                         454

                           1991                         348

                           1992                         311

                           1993                         256

                           1994                         276

                           1995                         241

                           1996                         202

                           Month             Monthly    12-Mo Mov Avg

                           JAN 95            15         23.0

                           FEB 95            24         23.8

                           MAR 95            23         23.8

                           APR 95            18         23.4

                           MAY 95            22         23.3

                           JUN 95            19         22.9

                           JUL 95            19         22.3

                           AUG 95            27         21.8

                           SEP 95            24         22.3

                           OCT 95            25         21.8

                           NOV 95            14         20.8

                           DEC 95            11         20.1

                           JAN 96            15         20.1

                           FEB 96            13         19.2

                           MAR 96            14         18.4

                           APR 96            20         18.6

                           MAY 96            18         18.3

                           JUN 96            19         18.3

                           JUL 96            24         18.7

                           AUG 96            23         18.3

                           SEP 96            13         17.4

                           OCT 96            17         16.8

                           NOV 96            16         16.9

                           DEC 96            10         16.8
  ------------------------ ----------------- ---------- -----------------

Data source: FAA

**NEAR MIDAIR COLLISIONS (NMACs)**

![](media/image40.emf){width="5.884722222222222in"
height="3.6180555555555554in"}

![](media/image41.emf){width="5.884722222222222in"
height="3.6180555555555554in"}

**AIR CARRIER NEAR MIDAIR COLLISION (NMAC) DATA**

  -------------- ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
                 Calendar   No. of      No. of       NMAC Rate    

                 Year       NMACs       Flight Hours (per 100,000 
                                                     flight       
                                                     hours)       

                 1990       181         16,740,876                1.08

                 1991       152         16,313,303                0.93

                 1992       127         16,732,460                0.76

                 1993       109         17,156,474                0.64

                 1994       142         17,903,125                0.79

                 1995       113         17,902,091                0.63

                 1996       91          18,059,000                0.50

                 Month                               Monthly      12-Mo Mov
                                                                  Avg

                 JAN 95     10          1,445,744    0.69         0.82

                 FEB 95     14          1,330,047    1.05         0.85

                 MAR 95     11          1,496,130    0.74         0.85

                 APR 95     6           1,461,187    0.41         0.82

                 MAY 95     10          1,486,858    0.67         0.80

                 JUN 95     8           1,495,332    0.53         0.79

                 JUL 95     10          1,567,161    0.64         0.76

                 AUG 95     15          1,595,003    0.94         0.74

                 SEP 95     7           1,495,034    0.47         0.72

                 OCT 95     12          1,535,064    0.78         0.67

                 NOV 95     6           1,465,070    0.41         0.63

                 DEC 95     4           1,529,460    0.26         0.63

                 JAN 96     5           1,434,659    0.35         0.60

                 FEB 96     6           1,341,603    0.45         0.56

                 MAR 96     5           1,483,502    0.34         0.53

                 APR 96     12          1,477,822    0.81         0.56

                 MAY 96     5           1,531,158    0.33         0.53

                 JUN 96     11          1,543,736    0.71         0.54

                 JUL 96     17          1,599,459    1.06         0.58

                 AUG 96     12          1,623,669    0.74         0.56

                 SEP 96     7           1,512,677    0.46         0.56

                 OCT 96     4           1,535,076    0.26         0.52

                 NOV 96     5           1,462,042    0.34         0.51

                 DEC 96     2           1,513,596    0.13         0.50
  -------------- ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------

Data sources: FAA - NMAC data; DOT, FAA - Flight hour data

**AIR CARRIER NEAR MIDAIR COLLISION (NMAC) RATES**

![](media/image44.emf){width="5.884722222222222in"
height="3.6180555555555554in"}

![](media/image45.emf){width="5.884722222222222in"
height="3.4340277777777777in"}

![](media/image46.emf)

**Description**: This indicator compares the number of NMACs involving
all air carriers (i.e., those operating under FAR Parts 121, 127, 129,
and 135) to the number of air carrier flight hours. The NMAC data depend
on judgment and voluntary reporting of events. These data, therefore,
are subjective in nature.

**PILOT DEVIATION DATA**

  -------------- ---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
                 Calendar   No. of       Total System Pilot        
                                                      Deviation    
                                                      Rate         

                 Year       Pilot        Flight Hours (per 100,000 
                            Deviations                flight       
                                                      hours)       

                 1990       2,343        45,250,876                5.18

                 1991       1,797        43,539,303                4.13

                 1992       1,673        40,524,460                4.13

                 1993       1,455        39,687,474                3.67

                 1994       1,272        39,776,125                3.20

                 1995       1,210        41,440,091                2.92

                 1996       1,339        41,709,000                3.21

                 Month                                Monthly      12-Mo Mov
                                                                   Avg

                 JAN 95     73           2,987,077    2.44         3.13

                 FEB 95     91           3,011,119    3.02         3.11

                 MAR 95     102          3,485,772    2.93         3.07

                 APR 95     108          3,495,492    3.09         3.04

                 MAY 95     116          3,577,102    3.24         3.07

                 JUN 95     106          3,634,396    2.92         3.07

                 JUL 95     110          3,802,674    2.89         3.01

                 AUG 95     119          3,853,433    3.09         2.98

                 SEP 95     89           3,649,132    2.44         2.88

                 OCT 95     113          3,610,125    3.13         2.94

                 NOV 95     109          3,262,004    3.34         2.95

                 DEC 95     74           3,071,764    2.41         2.92

                 JAN 96     88           2,952,949    2.98         2.96

                 FEB 96     78           3,018,900    2.58         2.93

                 MAR 96     101          3,573,774    2.83         2.92

                 APR 96     114          3,505,155    3.25         2.93

                 MAY 96     106          3,749,519    2.83         2.90

                 JUN 96     102          3,693,636    2.76         2.88

                 JUL 96     140          3,784,693    3.70         2.96

                 AUG 96     163          3,837,613    4.25         3.06

                 SEP 96     127          3,638,284    3.49         3.15

                 OCT 96     129          3,639,703    3.54         3.19

                 NOV 96     106          3,193,445    3.32         3.19

                 DEC 96     85           3,121,327    2.72         3.21
  -------------- ---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------

Data sources: FAA - Pilot deviation data; DOT, FAA - Flight hour data

PILOT DEVIATION RATES

![](media/image47.emf){width="5.760416666666667in"
height="3.6708333333333334in"}

![](media/image48.emf){width="5.760416666666667in" height="3.5875in"}

![](media/image11.emf)

![](media/image49.emf)

**OPERATIONAL ERROR DATA**

  -------------- ---------- --------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
                 Calendar   No. of          No. of        Operational   
                                            Facility      Error Rate    

                 Year       Operational     Activities    (per 100,000  
                            Errors                        facility      
                                                          actvities)    

                 1990       868             146,998,276                 0.59

                 1991       696             141,256,609                 0.49

                 1992       737             144,167,634                 0.51

                 1993       761             144,427,234                 0.53

                 1994       767             147,019,869                 0.52

                 1995       769             147,482,376                 0.52

                 1996       794             148,464,962                 0.53

                 Month                                    Monthly       12-Mo Mov
                                                                        Avg

                 JAN 95     41              11,174,517    0.37          0.51

                 FEB 95     66              10,957,517    0.60          0.52

                 MAR 95     70              12,649,495    0.55          0.52

                 APR 95     68              12,316,807    0.55          0.53

                 MAY 95     78              12,767,531    0.61          0.54

                 JUN 95     72              12,863,029    0.56          0.53

                 JUL 95     69              13,001,142    0.53          0.52

                 AUG 95     76              13,407,035    0.57          0.51

                 SEP 95     72              12,586,988    0.57          0.53

                 OCT 95     55              12,729,689    0.43          0.53

                 NOV 95     56              11,757,309    0.48          0.53

                 DEC 95     46              11,271,317    0.41          0.52

                 JAN 96     62              10,982,689    0.56          0.54

                 FEB 96     53              11,152,596    0.48          0.53

                 MAR 96     69              12,387,829    0.56          0.53

                 APR 96     51              12,401,198    0.41          0.52

                 MAY 96     77              12,860,203    0.60          0.51

                 JUN 96     80              12,698,378    0.63          0.52

                 JUL 96     66              13,043,510    0.51          0.52

                 AUG 96     85              13,382,063    0.64          0.52

                 SEP 96     66              12,462,414    0.53          0.52

                 OCT 96     58              13,010,870    0.45          0.52

                 NOV 96     65              12,183,364    0.53          0.53

                 DEC 96     62              11,899,848    0.52          0.53
  -------------- ---------- --------------- ------------- ------------- ------------

Data source: FAA

OPERATIONAL ERROR RATES

![](media/image50.emf){width="5.760416666666667in"
height="3.7222222222222223in"}

![](media/image51.emf){width="5.760416666666667in"
height="3.691666666666667in"}

![](media/image52.emf)

**RUNWAY INCURSION DATA**

  --------------- ---------- ------------ ------------ ------------- ---------------
                  Calendar   No. of       No. of       Runway        
                             Runway       Airport      Incursion     
                                                       Rate          

                  Year       Incursions   Operations   (per 100,000  
                                                       airport       
                                                       operations)   

                  1990       281          65,476,538                 0.43

                  1991       242          62,387,597                 0.39

                  1992       219          63,017,350                 0.35

                  1993       186          61,980,424                 0.30

                  1994       204          62,445,120                 0.33

                  1995       242          61,799,417                 0.39

                  1996       287          61,988,481                 0.46

                  Month                                Monthly       12-Mo Mov Avg

                  JAN 95     15           4,450,558    0.34          0.33

                  FEB 95     15           4,523,822    0.33          0.33

                  MAR 95     14           5,264,618    0.27          0.33

                  APR 95     23           5,214,809    0.44          0.35

                  MAY 95     15           5,397,913    0.28          0.34

                  JUN 95     29           5,484,720    0.53          0.35

                  JUL 95     25           5,633,232    0.44          0.37

                  AUG 95     20           5,742,310    0.35          0.36

                  SEP 95     25           5,420,648    0.46          0.37

                  OCT 95     25           5,386,437    0.46          0.39

                  NOV 95     21           4,827,950    0.43          0.40

                  DEC 95     15           4,452,400    0.34          0.39

                  JAN 96     19           4,311,586    0.44          0.40

                  FEB 96     14           4,501,291    0.31          0.40

                  MAR 96     22           5,204,170    0.42          0.41

                  APR 96     23           5,221,452    0.44          0.41

                  MAY 96     24           5,466,658    0.44          0.42

                  JUN 96     20           5,441,379    0.37          0.41

                  JUL 96     31           5,627,734    0.55          0.42

                  AUG 96     38           5,676,728    0.67          0.45

                  SEP 96     31           5,216,153    0.59          0.46

                  OCT 96     31           5,508,957    0.56          0.47

                  NOV 96     20           5,034,061    0.40          0.47

                  DEC 96     14           4,778,312    0.29          0.46
  --------------- ---------- ------------ ------------ ------------- ---------------

Data source: FAA

RUNWAY INCURSION RATES

![](media/image53.emf){width="5.6875in" height="3.65in"}

![](media/image54.emf){width="5.78125in" height="3.30625in"}

![](media/image55.emf)

**VEHICLE/PEDESTRIAN DEVIATION (VPD) DATA**

  --------------------- ---------------- -------------------- --------------------
                                                              

                        Calendar Year    No. of               
                                         Vehicle/Pedestrian   
                                         Deviations           

                        1990                                  598

                        1991                                  423

                        1992                                  365

                        1993                                  344

                        1994                                  391

                        1995                                  275

                        1996                                  266

                        Month            Monthly              12-Mo Mov Avg

                        JAN 95           23                   32.8

                        FEB 95           22                   32.0

                        MAR 95           24                   30.0

                        APR 95           38                   30.3

                        MAY 95           30                   30.0

                        JUN 95           34                   30.7

                        JUL 95           18                   28.7

                        AUG 95           24                   26.0

                        SEP 95           15                   24.7

                        OCT 95           17                   23.8

                        NOV 95           16                   23.4

                        DEC 95           14                   22.9

                        JAN 96           37                   24.1

                        FEB 96           17                   23.7

                        MAR 96           23                   23.6

                        APR 96           25                   22.5

                        MAY 96           24                   22.0

                        JUN 96           23                   21.1

                        JUL 96           25                   21.7

                        AUG 96           24                   21.7

                        SEP 96           20                   22.1

                        OCT 96           13                   21.8

                        NOV 96           23                   22.3

                        DEC 96           12                   22.2
  --------------------- ---------------- -------------------- --------------------

Data source: FAA

VEHICLE/PEDESTRIAN DEVIATIONS (VPDs)

![](media/image56.emf){width="5.760416666666667in"
height="3.504166666666667in"}

![](media/image57.emf){width="5.760416666666667in" height="3.49375in"}

![](media/image58.emf)

  ---------------------------- ------------------ ---------------------------
                                                  **Facility/Service
                                                  Reliability**

                               **Fiscal Year**    **(percent)**

                               1990               99.68

                               1991               99.71

                               1992               99.75

                               1993               99.77

                               1994               99.78

                               1995               99.85

                               1996               99.84

                               **Quarter/Year**   

                               Q2FY95             99.86

                               Q3FY95             99.85

                               Q4FY95             99.84

                               Q1FY96             99.86

                               Q2FY96             99.85

                               Q3FY96             99.83

                               Q4FY96             99.84

                               Q1FY97             99.86
  ---------------------------- ------------------ ---------------------------

> Data source: FAA

FACILITY/SERVICE RELIABILITY

![](media/image59.emf){width="5.895833333333333in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

![](media/image60.emf){width="6.093055555555556in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

![](media/image61.emf)

**FACILITY/SERVICE OPERATIONAL AVAILABILITY DATA**

  ---------------------------- ------------------ ---------------------------
                                                  **Facility/Service**

                                                  **Operational
                                                  Availability**

                               **Fiscal Year**    **(percent)**

                               1990               98.89

                               1991               98.85

                               1992               99.04

                               1993               99.09

                               1994               99.18

                               1995               99.34

                               1996               99.24

                               **Quarter/Year**   

                               Q2FY95             99.53

                               Q3FY95             99.37

                               Q4FY95             99.13

                               Q1FY96             99.23

                               Q2FY96             99.43

                               Q3FY96             99.19

                               Q4FY96             99.07

                               Q1FY97             99.30
  ---------------------------- ------------------ ---------------------------

Data source: FAA

FACILITY/SERVICE OPERATIONAL AVAILABILITY

![](media/image62.emf){width="6.155555555555556in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

![](media/image63.emf){width="6.165972222222222in"
height="3.7222222222222223in"}

![](media/image64.emf)

DELAY RATE DATA

  ---------------- ---------- --------- ------------- ------------- ----------------
                   Calendar   No. of    No. of        Delay Rate    
                                        Facility                    

                   Year       Delays    Activities    (per 100,000  
                                                      facility      
                                                      activities)   

                   1990       392,834   146,998,276                 267.2

                   1991       298,332   141,256,609                 211.2

                   1992       280,821   144,167,634                 194.8

                   1993       275,759   144,427,234                 190.9

                   1994       247,719   147,019,869                 168.5

                   1995       236,794   147,482,376                 160.6

                   1996       271,509   148,464,962                 182.9

                   Month                              Monthly       12-Mo Mov Avg

                   JAN 95     22,962    11,174,517    205.5         165.1

                   FEB 95     14,148    10,957,517    129.1         162.8

                   MAR 95     18,217    12,649,495    144.0         164.0

                   APR 95     17,237    12,316,807    139.9         161.4

                   MAY 95     19,567    12,767,531    153.3         163.4

                   JUN 95     24,349    12,863,029    189.3         163.3

                   JUL 95     21,506    13,001,142    165.4         156.8

                   AUG 95     21,326    13,407,035    159.1         155.0

                   SEP 95     16,512    12,586,988    131.2         155.8

                   OCT 95     17,834    12,729,689    140.1         157.0

                   NOV 95     20,081    11,757,309    170.8         157.7

                   DEC 95     23,055    11,271,317    204.5         160.6

                   JAN 96     25,082    10,982,689    228.4         162.2

                   FEB 96     18,955    11,152,596    170.0         165.3

                   MAR 96     18,598    12,387,829    150.1         165.8

                   APR 96     19,305    12,401,198    155.7         167.1

                   MAY 96     22,200    12,860,203    172.6         168.8

                   JUN 96     29,776    12,698,378    234.5         172.7

                   JUL 96     25,544    13,043,510    195.8         175.4

                   AUG 96     24,203    13,382,063    180.9         177.3

                   SEP 96     25,422    12,462,414    204.0         183.5

                   OCT 96     21,452    13,010,870    164.9         185.7

                   NOV 96     17,294    12,183,364    141.9         183.2

                   DEC 96     23,678    11,899,848    199.0         182.9
  ---------------- ---------- --------- ------------- ------------- ----------------

Data source: FAA

DELAY RATES

![](media/image65.emf){width="6.158333333333333in"
height="3.446527777777778in"}

![](media/image66.emf){width="6.030555555555556in"
height="3.584722222222222in"}

![](media/image11.emf)

![](media/image67.emf)

**DELAYS DUE TO VOLUME DATA**

  ----------------- ---------- --------- ------------- ------------- ----------------
                    Calendar   No. of    No. of        Delay Rate    
                                         Facility                    

                    Year       Delays    Activities    (per 100,000  
                                                       facility      
                                                       activities)   

                    1990       138,513   146,998,276                 94.2

                    1991       79,951    141,256,609                 56.6

                    1992       76,298    144,167,634                 52.9

                    1993       59,591    144,427,234                 41.3

                    1994       47,744    147,019,869                 32.5

                    1995       43,717    147,482,376                 29.6

                    1996       50,110    148,464,962                 33.8

                    Month                              Monthly       12-Mo Mov Avg

                    JAN 95     2,825     11,174,517    25.3          31.4

                    FEB 95     2,110     10,957,517    19.3          30.7

                    MAR 95     3,763     12,649,495    29.7          30.8

                    APR 95     3,152     12,316,807    25.6          30.2

                    MAY 95     3,615     12,767,531    28.3          29.9

                    JUN 95     4,223     12,863,029    32.8          30.3

                    JUL 95     3,511     13,001,142    27.0          30.0

                    AUG 95     4,750     13,407,035    35.4          29.7

                    SEP 95     4,845     12,586,988    38.5          30.1

                    OCT 95     4,143     12,729,689    32.5          30.3

                    NOV 95     3,814     11,757,309    32.4          30.2

                    DEC 95     2,966     11,271,317    26.3          29.6

                    JAN 96     2,512     10,982,689    22.9          29.5

                    FEB 96     3,300     11,152,596    29.6          30.2

                    MAR 96     2,959     12,387,829    23.9          29.7

                    APR 96     3,960     12,401,198    31.9          30.3

                    MAY 96     3,984     12,860,203    31.0          30.5

                    JUN 96     4,559     12,698,378    35.9          30.8

                    JUL 96     3,913     13,043,510    30.0          31.0

                    AUG 96     5,734     13,382,063    42.8          31.7

                    SEP 96     5,645     12,462,414    45.3          32.3

                    OCT 96     5,507     13,010,870    42.3          33.1

                    NOV 96     4,168     12,183,364    34.2          33.3

                    DEC 96     3,869     11,899,848    32.5          33.8
  ----------------- ---------- --------- ------------- ------------- ----------------

Data source: FAA

DELAYS DUE TO VOLUME RATES

![](media/image68.emf){width="6.331944444444445in"
height="3.7430555555555554in"}

![](media/image69.emf){width="6.238888888888889in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

![](media/image70.emf)

**AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION SYSTEM EVALUATION PROGRAM**

Percent of Planned Evaluations Actually Accomplished

by Responsible Directorate

![](media/image71.emf){width="5.988194444444445in" height="3.25625in"}

AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION SYSTEM EVALUATION PROGRAM DATA

  --------------- --------------- ----------------- ----------------- --------------- ----------------- ----------------- --------------- ----------------- -----------------
                  **Fiscal Year                                       **Fiscal Year                                       **Fiscal Year                     
                  1994**                                              1995**                                              1996**                            

  **Responsible   **Evaluations   **Evaluations     **Percent         **Evaluations   **Evaluations     **Percent         **Evaluations   **Evaluations     **Percent
  Directorate**   Planned**       Accomp-lished**   Accomp-lished**   Planned**       Accomp-lished**   Accomp-lished**   Planned**       Accomp-lished**   Accomp-lished**

  Transport       166             87                52%               111             129               116%              147             125               85%

  Rotorcraft      71              41                58%               82              84                102%              68              79                116%

  Small Airplane  122             77                63%               140             146               104%              201             202               100%

  Engine &        107             60                56%               63              68                108%              50              51                102%
  Propeller                                                                                                                                                 

  Total           466             265               57%               396             427               108%              466             457               98%
  --------------- --------------- ----------------- ----------------- --------------- ----------------- ----------------- --------------- ----------------- -----------------

Data source: FAA. NOTE: The Aircraft Certification Management Team
determined in September 1993 that the number of scheduled ACSEP
evaluations for FY 94 would cause a significant drain on existing
resources. Accordingly, the criteria for ACSEP evaluations for FY 94 was
formally modified to limit ACSEP evaluations to production approval
holders and selected suppliers producing priority parts.

**Description:** The Aircraft Certification System Evaluation Program
(ACSEP) is a comprehensive evaluation program utilizing a team of
manufacturing inspection, engineering, and flight test resources to
ascertain whether design and production approval holders and their
priority parts suppliers are meeting the requirements of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (FARs) and complying with procedures established to
meet the requirements of the FARs. A schedule for evaluations is
developed at the beginning of each fiscal year. This indicator shows the
percentage of planned evaluations that are actually completed by the end
of each fiscal year.

**STAGE 3 AIRCRAFT RATIO**

![](media/image72.emf){width="5.936805555555556in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

![](media/image73.emf)

![](media/image74.emf)

**Stage 3 Aircraft Data**

  ------------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ -------
  Calendar Year 1990   1991   1992   1993   1994   1995   1996   1997   1998   1999   2000

  **Stage 3     45.0   51.8   59.5   62.4   66.3   70.7                               100.0
  Aircraft                                                                            
  (percent of                                                                         
  fleet)**                                                                            
  ------------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ -------

Data source: FAA

**NATIONAL INSPECTOR ACTIVITY DATA**

  ------- -------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------
                               **No. of                                                            
                               Activities                                                          
                               by Fiscal                                                           
                               Year**                                                              

          **Type of Activity** **1991**     **1992**   **1993**   **1994**   **1995**   **1996**   

          **Tech. Staff        33,520       36,721     32,361     30,252     40,831     46,289     
          Admin.**                                                                                 

          **Org. Tech.         60,669       72,351     71,208     87,657     91,420     82,959     
          Admin.**                                                                                 

          **Gen. Tech.         8,721        12,760     14,067     12,484     12,753     13,667     
          Funct.**                                                                                 

          **Aircraft &         92,873       103,259    94,168     90,759     92,204     90,950     
          Equipment**                                                                              

          **Investigations**   30,347       36,001     31,537     27,836     28,107     29,433     

          **Org.               6,545        8,852      9,386      8,110      7,351      7,492      
          Certification**                                                                          

          **Airmen             217,254      263,119    243,610    223,625    222,179    208,876    
          Certification**                                                                          

          **Education &        17,210       29,960     67,416     72,240     67,231     56,447     
          Safety**                                                                                 

          **Surveillance**     333,226      387,575    376,872    326,708    308,367    302,857    

          **Total**            800,365      950,598    940,625    879,671    870,443    838,970    
  ------- -------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------

  ------- -------------------- ------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------
                               **Inspector                                                          
                               Activity Rate                                                        
                               by Fiscal                                                            
                               Year**                                                               

          **Type of Activity** **1991**      **1992**   **1993**   **1994**   **1995**   **1996**   

          **Tech. Staff        13.88         15.75      14.29      13.95      17.13      17.55      
          Admin.**                                                                                  

          **Org. Tech.         25.12         31.03      31.45      40.41      38.35      31.46      
          Admin.**                                                                                  

          **Gen. Tech.         3.61          5.47       6.21       5.76       5.35       5.18       
          Funct.**                                                                                  

          **Aircraft &         38.46         44.28      41.59      41.84      38.68      34.49      
          Equipment**                                                                               

          **Investigations**   12.57         15.44      13.93      12.83      11.79      11.16      

          **Org.               2.71          3.80       4.15       3.74       3.08       2.84       
          Certification**                                                                           

          **Airmen             89.96         112.83     107.60     103.10     93.20      79.21      
          Certification**                                                                           

          **Education &        7.13          12.85      29.78      33.31      28.20      21.41      
          Safety**                                                                                  

          **Surveillance**     137.98        166.20     166.46     150.63     129.35     114.85     

          **Total**            331.41        407.63     415.47     405.57     365.12     318.15     
  ------- -------------------- ------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------

Data source: FAA

![](media/image75.emf)

*Number of Inspector Activities = Number of Technical Staff
Administrative Responsibilities*

*+ Number of Organization Technical Administration Activities*

*Number of General Technical Function Activities*

*Number of Aircraft & Equipment Activities*

*Number of Investigations*

*Number of Organization Certification Activities*

*Number of Airmen Certification Activities*

*Number of Education & Safety Activities*

*+ Number of Surveillance Activities*

and the *Number of Inspectors* is the count at the end of the fiscal
year.

NATIONAL INSPECTOR ACTIVITY RATES

![](media/image76.emf){width="6.134722222222222in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

**NATIONAL INSPECTOR ACTIVITY DATA**

  -------------------- ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
                       No. of                                                                   
                       Activities                                                               
                       by Fiscal                                                                
                       Quarter                                                                  

  Type of Activity     Q2FY95       Q3FY95    Q4FY95    Q1FY96    Q2FY96    Q3FY96    Q4FY96    Q1FY97

  **Tech. Staff        9,537        10,957    12,148    11,179    13,485    11,580    10,045    7,944
  Admin.**                                                                                      

  **Org. Tech.         28,659       22,772    18,848    20,790    24,032    19,675    18,462    15,440
  Admin.**                                                                                      

  **Gen. Tech.         4,211        2,942     3,098     2,799     4,070     3,456     3,342     2,128
  Funct.**                                                                                      

  **Aircraft &         22,928       25,635    22,532    18,250    22,948    26,250    23,502    18,591
  Equipment**                                                                                   

  **Investigations**   7,139        7,239     7,965     5,243     7,269     7,936     8,985     5,223

  **Org.               1,678        2,453     2,037     1,141     1,692     2,577     2,082     937
  Certification**                                                                               

  **Airmen             60,372       59,360    51,991    45,930    59,120    55,549    48,277    39,831
  Certification**                                                                               

  **Education &        18,073       18,124    13,123    15,644    16,336    14,464    10,003    9,265
  Safety**                                                                                      

  **Surveillance**     88,187       77,656    58,709    75,873    89,801    77,903    59,280    60,022

  **Total**            240,784      227,138   190,451   196,849   238,753   219,390   183,978   159,381
  -------------------- ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

  -------------------- ----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
                       Inspector                                                         
                       Activity                                                          
                       Rate by                                                           
                       Fiscal                                                            
                       Quarter                                                           

  Type of Activity     Q2FY95      Q3FY95   Q4FY95   Q1FY96   Q2FY96   Q3FY96   Q4FY96   Q1FY97

  **Tech. Staff        4.23        4.64     5.10     4.71     5.66     4.59     3.81     3.00
  Admin.**                                                                               

  **Org. Tech.         12.70       9.65     7.91     8.76     10.09    7.80     7.00     5.83
  Admin.**                                                                               

  **Gen. Tech.         1.87        1.25     1.30     1.18     1.71     1.37     1.27     0.80
  Funct.**                                                                               

  **Aircraft &         10.16       10.86    9.45     7.69     9.64     10.41    8.91     7.02
  Equipment**                                                                            

  **Investigations**   3.16        3.07     3.34     2.21     3.05     3.15     3.41     1.97

  **Org.               0.74        1.04     0.85     0.48     0.71     1.02     0.79     0.35
  Certification**                                                                        

  **Airmen             26.76       25.15    21.81    19.36    24.83    22.03    18.31    15.03
  Certification**                                                                        

  **Education &        8.01        7.68     5.50     6.59     6.86     5.74     3.79     3.50
  Safety**                                                                               

  **Surveillance**     39.09       32.91    24.63    31.97    37.72    30.89    22.48    22.65

  **Total**            106.73      96.24    79.89    82.95    100.27   86.99    69.77    60.14
  -------------------- ----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------

Data source: FAA

![](media/image75.emf)

*Number of Inspector Activities = Number of Technical Staff
Administrative Responsibilities*

*+ Number of Organization Technical Administration Activities*

*Number of General Technical Function Activities*

*Number of Aircraft & Equipment Activities*

*Number of Investigations*

*Number of Organization Certification Activities*

*Number of Airmen Certification Activities*

*Number of Education & Safety Activities*

*+ Number of Surveillance Activities*

and the ***Number of Inspectors*** is the count at the end of the fiscal
year.

NATIONAL INSPECTOR ACTIVITY RATES

![](media/image77.emf){width="6.550694444444445in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

**3. AVIATION ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Aviation environmental indicators provide a context for aviation system
indicatiors. These forward-looking indicators are broad in scope and
illustrate the trends in the overall operating environment. The aviation
environmental indicators presented in this chapter are listed below.

**Aviation Environmental Indicators**

Information presented for each aviation environmental indicator includes
a brief description of the indicator, graphs, a data table, and the
formulas used to calculate the indicator values.

**FORECAST OF ANNUAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) DATA**

  --------------- ------------------------- ------------- ------------------ --------------
                                                          GDP                Rate of Growth

                  Fiscal Year                                                (billion 1992
                                                                             \$)

                  [Actual]{.underline}      1991          6,073.3            -1.10

                                            1992          6,188.7            1.90

                                            1993          6,350.9            2.62

                                            1994          6,552.5            3.17

                                            1995          6,721.2            2.57

                  [Estimated]{.underline}   1996          6,854.3            1.98

                  [Forecast]{.underline}    1997          7,020.9            2.43

                                            1998          7,160.9            1.99

                                            1999          7,312.8            2.12

                                            2000          7,481.6            2.31

                                            2001          7,655.4            2.32

                                            2002          7,831.9            2.31

                                            2003          8,012.8            2.31

                                            2004          8,198.0            2.31

                                            2005          8,385.6            2.29

                                            2006          8,579.3            2.31

                                            2007          8,777.8            2.31

                                            2008          8,956.4            2.03
  --------------- ------------------------- ------------- ------------------ --------------

Data sources: OMB, The WEFA Group, DRI/McGraw Hill, and Evans
Econometrics

**FORECAST OF ANNUAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)**

![](media/image78.emf){width="6.581944444444445in"
height="3.888888888888889in"}

![](media/image79.emf)

FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT

![](media/image80.emf){width="6.269444444444445in"
height="3.347916666666667in"}

Note: 1996 data are estimated.

**FORECAST OF ANNUAL ENPLANEMENT DATA**

  ---------------- ------------------------- ------------- ------------------ --------------
                                                           No. of             Rate of Growth
                                                           Enplanements       

                   Fiscal Year                                                (millions)

                   [Actual]{.underline}      1991          485.6              -2.47

                                             1992          505.8              4.16

                                             1993          513.7              1.56

                                             1994          555.3              8.10

                                             1995          576.4              3.80

                   [Estimated]{.underline}   1996          605.9              5.12

                   [Forecast]{.underline}    1997          639.1              5.48

                                             1998          667.5              4.44

                                             1999          694.8              4.09

                                             2000          723.5              4.13

                                             2001          753.4              4.13

                                             2002          784.8              4.17

                                             2003          817.2              4.13

                                             2004          850.3              4.05

                                             2005          884.5              4.02

                                             2006          920.2              4.04

                                             2007          956.9              3.99

                                             2008          994.9              3.97
  ---------------- ------------------------- ------------- ------------------ --------------

Data sources: DOT - Actual enplanements, FAA - Forecast enplanements

**FORECAST OF ANNUAL ENPLANEMENTS**

![](media/image81.emf){width="6.654166666666667in"
height="3.9305555555555554in"}

![](media/image79.emf)

FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF ANNUAL ENPLANEMENTS

![](media/image82.emf){width="6.394444444444445in"
height="3.7534722222222223in"}

Note: 1996 data are estimated.

**TOTAL FACILITY ACTIVITY DATA**

  --------------------- -------------------- -----------------------------
                        Calendar Year        Total No. of Facility
                                             Activities

                        1990                 146,998,276

                        1991                 141,256,609

                        1992                 144,167,634

                        1993                 144,427,234

                        1994                 147,019,869

                        1995                 147,482,376

                        1996                 148,464,962

                        Month                

                        JAN 95               11,174,517

                        FEB 95               10,957,517

                        MAR 95               12,649,495

                        APR 95               12,316,807

                        MAY 95               12,767,531

                        JUN 95               12,863,029

                        JUL 95               13,001,142

                        AUG 95               13,407,035

                        SEP 95               12,586,988

                        OCT 95               12,729,689

                        NOV 95               11,757,309

                        DEC 95               11,271,317

                        JAN 96               10,982,689

                        FEB 96               11,152,596

                        MAR 96               12,387,829

                        APR 96               12,401,198

                        MAY 96               12,860,203

                        JUN 96               12,698,378

                        JUL 96               13,043,510

                        AUG 96               13,382,063

                        SEP 96               12,462,414

                        OCT 96               13,010,870

                        NOV 96               12,183,364

                        DEC 96               11,899,848
  --------------------- -------------------- -----------------------------

Data Source: FAA

**TOTAL FACILITY ACTIVITY**

![](media/image83.emf){width="6.83125in" height="3.5993055555555555in"}

![](media/image84.emf){width="6.799305555555556in"
height="3.6006944444444446in"}

**FORECAST OF ANNUAL IFR AIRCRAFT HANDLED AT EN ROUTE CENTERS DATA**

  ------- ------------------------- ----------- ---------------------- --------------------
                                                No. of Aircraft        Rate of Growth
                                                Handled                

          Fiscal Year                                                  (millions)

          [Actual]{.underline}      1991        36.1                   -2.96

                                    1992        36.5                   1.11

                                    1993        37.4                   2.47

                                    1994        38.8                   3.74

                                    1995        40.0                   3.09

          [Estimated]{.underline}   1996        40.3                   0.75

          [Forecast]{.underline}    1997        40.9                   1.49

                                    1998        41.8                   2.20

                                    1999        42.5                   1.67

                                    2000        43.5                   2.35

                                    2001        44.4                   2.07

                                    2002        45.0                   1.35

                                    2003        46.0                   2.22

                                    2004        47.0                   2.17

                                    2005        47.7                   1.49

                                    2006        48.5                   1.68

                                    2007        49.4                   1.86

                                    2008        50.2                   1.62
  ------- ------------------------- ----------- ---------------------- --------------------

Data source: FAA

**FORECAST OF ANNUAL IFR AIRCRAFT HANDLED AT EN ROUTE CENTERS**

![](media/image85.emf){width="6.623611111111111in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

![](media/image79.emf)

FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF ANNUAL IFR AIRCRAFT

HANDLED AT EN ROUTE CENTERS

![](media/image86.emf){width="6.477777777777778in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

Note: 1996 data are estimated.

**FORECAST OF GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT FLIGHT HOUR1 DATA**

  -------------------- ------------------------- ------------- --------------------------
                                                               Number of General Aviation

                                                               **Flight Hours (1)**

                       Calendar Year                           (millions)

                       [Actual]{.underline}      1991          30.1

                                                 1992          26.5

                                                 1993          24.3

                                                 1994          23.9

                                                 1995          25.4

                       [Estimated]{.underline}   1996          25.6

                       [Forecast]{.underline}    1997          25.8

                                                 1998          26.3

                                                 1999          26.6

                                                 2000          26.9

                                                 2001          27.2

                                                 2002          27.6

                                                 2003          27.9

                                                 2004          28.0

                                                 2005          28.4

                                                 2006          28.5

                                                 2007          28.8

                                                 2008          28.9
  -------------------- ------------------------- ------------- --------------------------

Data source: FAA

1 Includes general aviation and air taxi activity.

**FORECAST OF GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT FLIGHT HOURS1**

![](media/image87.emf){width="6.665277777777778in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

1 Includes general aviation and air taxi activity.

Note: 1996 data are estimated.

**NUMBER OF CERTIFICATED AIRPORTS**

![](media/image88.emf){width="6.654166666666667in"
height="3.6180555555555554in"}

CERTIFICATED AIRPORTS DATA

  ---------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
                             No. of Full     No. of Limited  Total No. of

             Calendar        Certificate     Certificate     Certificated

             Year            Airports        Airports        Airports

             1990            480             152             632

             1991            474             195             669

             1992            471             193             664

             1993            470             200             670

             1994            469             203             672

             1995            469             198             667

             1996            475             197             672
  ---------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------

**NUMBER OF CERTIFICATED AIRPORTS**

![](media/image89.emf){width="6.70625in" height="3.6708333333333334in"}

CERTIFICATED AIRPORTS DATA

  ---------- --------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------
                             No. of Full       No. of Limited    Total No. of

             **Calendar**    **Certificate**   **Certificate**   **Certificated**

             Quarter/Year    Airports          Airports          Airports

             Q1CY95          470               200               670

             Q2CY95          470               200               670

             Q3CY95          469               200               669

             Q4CY95          469               198               667

             Q1CY96          469               195               664

             Q2CY96          472               195               667

             Q3CY96          471               196               667

             Q4CY96          475               197               672
  ---------- --------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------

Data source: FAA

**CERTIFICATED AIRMEN DATA**

  -- ------------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
                        **Number of                                                                         
                        Airmen by                                                                           
                        Calendar                                                                            
                        Year**                                                                              

     **Type of          **1989**      **1990**      **1991**      **1992**      **1993**      **1994**      **1995**
     Certificate**                                                                                          

     Private (1)        293,179       299,111       293,306       288,078       283,700       284,236       261,399

     Commercial (1)     144,540       149,666       148,365       146,385       143,014       138,728       133,980

     Student            142,544       128,663       120,203       114,597       103,583       96,254        101,279

     Airline Transport  102,087       107,732       112,167       115,855       117,070       117,434       123,877
     (1)                                                                                                    

     Helicopter (only)  8,863         9,567         9,860         9,652         9,168         8,719         7,183

     Glider (only)      7,708         7,833         8,033         8,205         8,328         8,476         11,234

     Lighter-than-Air   1,089         N/A           N/A           N/A           N/A           N/A           N/A
     (2)                                                                                                    

     Recreational (3)   N/A           87            161           187           206           241           232

     **Pilot Total**    **700,010**   **702,659**   **692,095**   **682,959**   **665,069**   **654,088**   **639,184**

     Mechanic           326,243       344,282       366,392       384,669       401,060       411,071       405,294

     Ground Instructor  64,503        66,882        70,086        73,276        76,050        77,789        96,165

     Flight Engineer    55,968        58,687        60,236        61,022        60,277        59,467        60,267

     Parachute Rigger   9,879         10,094        7,916         8,163         8,417         8,631         11,824

     Dispatcher         10,455        11,002        11,607        12,264        12,883        13,410        15,642

     Flight Navigator   1,357         1,290         1,225         1,154         1,039         990           916

     Repairman (4)      N/A           N/A           N/A           N/A           N/A           N/A           61,223

     **Nonpilot Total   **468,405**   **492,237**   **517,462**   **540,548**   **559,726**   **571,358**   **651,331**
     (5)**                                                                                                  
  -- ------------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

Data source: FAA

> 1 Includes pilots with an airplane-only certificate. Also includes
> those with an airplane and a helicopter and/or glider certificate.
>
> 2 As of 1990, lighter-than-air type certificates were no longer
> issued.
>
> 3 Recreational certificates were not issued prior to 1990.
>
> 4 Data for repairman certificates were not available as a separate
> category prior to 1995.
>
> 5 Beginning in 1995, includes those nonpilots with incomplete
> addresses and those who requested that their names be withheld from
> mailing lists. These individuals were excluded prior to 1995.

**NUMBER OF CERTIFICATED PILOTS**

![](media/image90.emf){width="6.602083333333334in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

\* Includes helicopter, glider, lighter-than-air, and recreational.

NUMBER OF CERTIFICATED NON-PILOT AIRMEN

![](media/image91.emf){width="6.845138888888889in"
height="3.591666666666667in"}

\* Includes parachute rigger, dispatcher, and flight navigator.

**NUMBER OF CERTIFICATE HOLDERS DATA**

  ------------------- -------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
                      Number of                                                                  
                      Certificates                                                               

  Type of Certificate Q1CY95         Q2CY95    Q3CY95    Q4CY95    Q1CY96    Q2CY96    Q3CY96    Q4CY96

  **Air Operator                                                                                 
  Certificates**                                                                                 

  FAR Part 121 Air    126            126       123       127       155       153       154       153
  Carriers                                                                                       

  FAR Part 135 Air    3,127          3,215     3,104     3,096     3,062     3,045     3,019     3,024
  Carriers (Total)                                                                               

  *\-- Commuters*     *110*          *111*     *110*     *108*     *107*     *94*      *89*      *93*

  *\-- Air Taxis*     *3,017*        *3,104*   *2,994*   *2,988*   *2,955*   *2,951*   *2,930*   *2,931*

  FAR Part 125 Large  43             44        41        41        41        43        42        43
  Corp. Aircraft                                                                                 

  FAR Part 129        493            491       503       501       503       503       496       502
  Foreign Carriers                                                                               

  FAR Part 133        391            399       397       402       403       406       410       414
  Rotorcraft External                                                                            
  Load                                                                                           

  FAR Part 137        3,180          3,203     3,182     3,175     3,173     3,188     3,164     3,186
  Agricultural                                                                                   
  Aircraft                                                                                       

  FAR Part 091 Public N/A            199       265       406       464       732       493       491
  Use Aircraft                                                                                   

  **Air Agency                                                                                   
  Certificates**                                                                                 

  FAR Part 141 Pilot  633            629       610       605       598       594       577       575
  Training Schools                                                                               

  FAR Part 145 Repair 4,942          4,930     4,933     4,972     4,979     5,001     4,974     4,976
  Stations                                                                                       

  FAR Part 147        193            193       190       189       190       185       186       188
  Maintenance Schools                                                                            

  FAR Part 142        N/A            N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       1         1
  Training Centers                                                                               
  ------------------- -------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

Data source: FAA

Note: No corresponding graph has been developed for this indicator
because the types of certificates are too numerous to display clearly in
a single graph.

NUMBER OF REGISTERED AIRCRAFT

![](media/image92.emf){width="6.654166666666667in"
height="3.6180555555555554in"}

\* Includes balloon, glider, and blimp.

**REGISTERED AIRCRAFT DATA**

  -------------- ------------ -------------- --------------- ---------------- ---------------- ------------- ------------ ----------- ------------
                 **Fixed**    **Fixed**      **Fixed**                                                                                **Total**

  **Calendar**   **Wing**     **Wing**       **Wing**        **Rotorcraft**   **Rotorcraft**                                          **Number**

  **Year**       **Piston**   **Turbojet**   **Turboprop**   **Piston**       **Turbine**      **Balloon**   **Glider**   **Blimp**   **of
                                                                                                                                      Aircraft**

  1988           236,905      8,702          6,947           5,625            4,528            5,507         4,467        15          272,696

  1989           237,192      9,234          7,573           5,764            4,681            5,826         4,535        29          274,834

  1990           237,108      9,665          7,835           5,918            4,728            6,101         4,549        29          275,933

  1991           236,028      9,947          7,806           5,976            4,858            6,292         4,542        33          275,482

  1992           236,508      10,318         7,999           6,052            4,900            6,553         4,622        33          276,985

  1993           237,556      10,695         8,161           6,174            4,970            6,794         4,669        37          279,056

  1994           238,506      11,156         8,328           6,224            5,235            6,993         4,808        38          281,288
  -------------- ------------ -------------- --------------- ---------------- ---------------- ------------- ------------ ----------- ------------

Data source: FAA

**TOTAL SYSTEM FLIGHT HOURS DATA**

  ------------ ---------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
               Calendar   Large Air                            General      

               Year       Carrier      Commuter    Air Taxi    Aviation     Total System

               1990       12,150,116   2,341,760   2,249,000   28,510,000   45,250,876

               1991       11,780,610   2,291,693   2,241,000   27,226,000   43,539,303

               1992       12,359,715   2,363,745   2,009,000   23,792,000   40,524,460

               1993       12,706,206   2,641,268   1,809,000   22,531,000   39,687,474

               1994       13,122,221   2,787,904   1,993,000   21,873,000   39,776,125

               1995       13,513,219   2,478,872   1,910,000   23,538,000   41,440,091

               1996       13,683,000   2,474,000   1,902,000   23,650,000   41,709,000

               Month                                                        

               JAN 95     1,108,901    189,554     147,289     1,541,333    2,987,077

               FEB 95     1,013,990    178,271     137,786     1,681,072    3,011,119

               MAR 95     1,141,531    199,709     154,891     1,989,642    3,485,772

               APR 95     1,097,918    206,479     156,791     2,034,305    3,495,492

               MAY 95     1,115,275    210,992     160,592     2,090,243    3,577,102

               JUN 95     1,116,562    214,377     164,393     2,139,064    3,634,396

               JUL 95     1,173,842    222,275     171,045     2,235,512    3,802,674

               AUG 95     1,191,291    227,916     175,796     2,258,430    3,853,433

               SEP 95     1,117,392    213,248     164,393     2,154,099    3,649,132

               OCT 95     1,160,630    210,992     163,443     2,075,061    3,610,125

               NOV 95     1,112,549    198,581     153,940     1,796,934    3,262,004

               DEC 95     1,163,339    206,479     159,642     1,542,304    3,071,764

               JAN 96     1,103,632    186,936     144,091     1,518,291    2,952,949

               FEB 96     1,028,361    176,622     136,620     1,677,297    3,018,900

               MAR 96     1,115,838    207,563     160,101     2,090,272    3,573,774

               APR 96     1,121,941    201,117     154,764     2,027,332    3,505,155

               MAY 96     1,150,422    215,299     165,438     2,218,361    3,749,519

               JUN 96     1,159,576    216,588     167,572     2,149,900    3,693,636

               JUL 96     1,215,521    215,299     168,640     2,185,234    3,784,693

               AUG 96     1,219,589    226,902     177,178     2,213,944    3,837,613

               SEP 96     1,131,095    214,009     167,572     2,125,607    3,638,284

               OCT 96     1,157,542    215,299     162,236     2,104,627    3,639,703

               NOV 96     1,112,786    199,828     149,428     1,731,403    3,193,445

               DEC 96     1,166,696    198,539     148,360     1,607,732    3,121,327
  ------------ ---------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------

Data sources: DOT, FAA - Commuter and large air carrier flight hours

FAA - Air taxi and general aviation flight hour estimates

TOTAL SYSTEM FLIGHT HOURS

![](media/image93.emf){width="6.654166666666667in"
height="3.6180555555555554in"}

![](media/image94.emf){width="6.623611111111111in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

\* Because commuter and air taxi flight hours are nearly equal, the
lines appear superimposed.

**Total System Flight Hours = Large Air Carrier Hours + Commuter Hours +
Air Taxi Hours + General Aviation Hours**

PRODUCTION APPROVAL HOLDERS

![](media/image95.emf){width="6.716666666666667in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

PRODUCTION APPROVAL HOLDERS DATA

  ----- ----------- ------------------ ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
                                                                                          

                                       No. of                            No. of           Total No. of

                    **No. of Part**    **Technical**    **No. of**       **Production**   **Production**

                    **Manufacturer**   **Standard       **Production**   **Inspection**   **Approval**
                                       Order**                                            

        Fiscal Year Approvals          Authorizations   Certificates     Systems          Holders

        1990        1,010              308              66               10               1,394

        1991        1,022              311              66               10               1,409

        1992        1,075              318              69               12               1,474

        1993        1,087              367              73               13               1,540

        1994        1,140              379              74               14               1,607

        1995        1,138              398              94               17               1,647

        1996        1,165              411              106              19               1,701
  ----- ----------- ------------------ ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------

Data source: FAA

**OPERATING PROFIT OR LOSS**

**FOR ALL FORM 41-REPORTING CARRIERS**

![](media/image96.emf){width="6.446527777777778in"
height="3.6284722222222223in"}

OPERATING PROFIT OR LOSS DATA

  ------------------------ --------------------------- -------------------
                           Fiscal Quarter/Year         Million \$

                           Q1FY95                      -15.7

                           Q2FY95                      501.3

                           Q3FY95                      2,209.3

                           Q4FY95                      2,569.5

                           Q1FY96                      583.4

                           Q2FY96                      359.5

                           Q3FY96                      2,558.6

                           Q4FY96                      2,496.9
  ------------------------ --------------------------- -------------------

Data source: DOT

Note: Q4FY96 data are preliminary.

**Description:** This indicator shows the combined profitability of the
air transport activities of major and national air carriers and large
and medium regional air carriers that report on Form 41.

**ACRONYM LIST**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

ACSEP Aircraft Certification System Evaluation Program

ADIZ Air Defense Identification Zone

AEG Aircraft Evaluation Group

APO Office of Aviation Policy, Plans, and Management Analysis

ARTCC Air Route Traffic Control Center

ASF Office of the Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety

CPI Consumer Price Index

DOT Department of Transportation

FAA Federal Aviation Administration

FAR Federal Aviation Regulation

FOIA Freedom of Information Act

GA General Aviation

GAO General Accounting Office

GDP Gross Domestic Product

IFR Instrument Flight Rules

NAPRS National Airspace Performance Reporting System

NAS National Airspace System

NMAC Near Midair Collision

NORAD North American Aerospace Defense Command

NTSB National Transportation Safety Board

OIG Office of the Inspector General

OMB Office of Management and Budget

RSPA Research and Special Programs Administration

VPD Vehicle/Pedestrian Deviation

WEFA Wharton Econometric Forecasting Association

**GLOSSARY**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Accident**

> An \"aircraft accident\" is defined by the National Transportation
> Safety Board (NTSB) as \"an occurrence associated with the operation
> of an aircraft that takes place between the time any person boards the
> aircraft with the intention of flight and all such persons have
> disembarked, and in which any person suffers death or serious injury,
> or in which the aircraft receives substantial damage.\"

**Air Agency**

> A person, group, or organized entity holding a certificate or
> certificates authorizing the offering of services under Federal
> Aviation Regulation (FAR) Parts 141, 142, 145, or 147. As of January
> 1993, FAR Part 149 certificates (parachute lofts) were no longer
> issued.

**Air Carrier**

> Any air operator operating under FAR Parts 121, 127, or 135.

**Air Operator**

> A person or organization authorized to operate aircraft or aviation
> facilities under FAR Parts 91, 121, 125, 127, 129, 133, 135, or 137.

**Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC)**

> A facility established to provide air traffic control service to
> aircraft operating on an IFR flight plan within controlled airspace
> and principally during the en route phase of flight.

**Air Taxi**

> A class of air carriers, operating pursuant to FAR Part 135, engaged
> in the nonscheduled air transportation of persons, property, or mail
> for compensation or hire in aircraft with 30 or fewer passenger seats
> and a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or less. Air taxis do not hold
> certificates of public convenience and necessity and do not hold
> specific route authority.

**Aircraft Incident**

> An occurrence, other than an accident, associated with the operation
> of an aircraft that affects or could affect the safety of operations
> and that is investigated and reported on FAA Form 8020-5. (Note:
> Incident reports on Form 8020-5 do not include near midair collisions
> \[NMACs\], operational errors or deviations, pilot deviations,
> vehicle/pedestrian deviations, or runway incursions. Guidance on
> incidents that should be reported on FAA Form 8020-5 is set forth in
> Paragraph 296 of FAA Order 8020.11A.)

**Airport Operations**

> The number of arrivals and departures from the airport at which the
> airport traffic control tower is located. There are two types of
> operations: local and itinerant.

**Certificated Airport**

> An airport operating under FAR Part 139. The FAA issues airport
> operating certificates to all airports serving scheduled or
> unscheduled air carrier aircraft designed for more than 30 passenger
> seats. Certificated airports must meet minimum safety standards in
> accordance with FAR Part 139.

**Commuter Air Carrier**

> An FAR Part 135 operator that carries passengers on at least five
> round trips per week or on at least one route between two or more
> points according to its published flight schedule that specifies the
> times, days of the week, and places between which those flights are
> performed.

**Delay**

> Delays are incurred when any action is taken by a controller that
> prevents an aircraft from proceeding normally to its destination for
> an interval of 15 minutes or more. This includes actions to delay
> departing, en route, or arriving aircraft as well as actions taken to
> delay aircraft at departing airports due to conditions en route or at
> destination airports.

**Enplanement**

A revenue passenger boarding an aircraft.

**En Route Center**

> An Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC).

**En Route Facility Activity**

> = Total IFR Aircraft Handled
>
> = (2 x Departures) + Domestic and Oceanic Overflights.

**FOIA**

> The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows all U.S. citizens and
> residents to request any records in possession of the executive branch
> of the federal government. The term \"records\" includes documents,
> papers, reports, letters, films, photographs, sound recordings,
> computer tapes and disks. An object that cannot be reproduced is not
> considered a record in this case. The federal FOIA covers the
> President\'s cabinet agencies, independent agencies, regulatory
> commissions and government‑owned corporations. Congress is exempt, as
> are federal courts and state and local governments. Some states and
> municipalities have laws modeled after the federal FOIA. The federal
> act includes nine exemptions that agencies may claim as a basis for
> withholding information. An administrative appeal can be filed that
> argues for disclosure based on benefits to the public versus privacy.
> If a good argument is made, appellate reviewers may waive an
> exemption.

**General Aviation (GA)**

> That portion of civil aviation that encompasses all facets of aviation
> except air carriers.

**Instrument Operations**

> = Primary Instrument Operations + Secondary Instrument Operations
>
> \+ Instrument Overflights.

**Large Air Carrier**

> Scheduled and nonscheduled aircraft operating under FAR Parts 121 or
> 127. (Note: Part 129 operations \[foreign air carriers\] are not
> included in the NTSB accident data base, nor are hour and departure
> data available for these air carriers.)

**Near Midair Collision (NMAC)**

> An incident associated with the operation of an aircraft in which a
> possibility of collision occurs as a result of proximity of less than
> 500 feet to another aircraft, or a report is received from a pilot or
> flight crew member stating that a collision hazard existed between two
> or more aircraft.

**Operational Error**

> An occurrence attributable to an element of the air traffic control
> system that results in less than the applicable separation minima
> between two or more aircraft, or between an aircraft and terrain or
> obstacles and obstructions as required by Handbook 7110.65 and
> supplemental instructions. Obstacles include vehicles, equipment,
> and/or personnel on runways.

**Outage**

> The loss of a facility/service for one minute or more.

**Pilot Deviation**

> The actions of a pilot that result in the violation of an FAR or a
> North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Air Defense
> Identification Zone (ADIZ) tolerance.

**Rotorcraft**

> A heavier-than-air aircraft that depends principally for its support
> in flight on the lift generated by one or more rotors.

**Runway Incursion**

> Any occurrence at an airport involving an aircraft, vehicle, person,
> or object on the ground that creates a collision hazard or results in
> loss of separation with an aircraft taking off, intending to take off,
> landing, or intending to land.

**Stage 2 Aircraft**

> An aircraft that has been shown to comply with the Stage 2 noise
> requirements under FAR Part 36. (Examples include the B-727-200, DC-9,
> and BAC-111.)

**Stage 3 Aircraft**

> An aircraft that has been shown to comply with the quieter Stage 3
> noise requirements under FAR Part 36. (Examples include the B-737-300,
> B-757, MD-80, and A-310.)

**Terminal Facility Activity**

> = Total Airport Operations + Total Instrument Operations
>
> = Local Operations + Itinerant Operations + Primary Instrument
> Operations
>
> \+ Secondary Instrument Operations + Instrument Overflights.

**Total Facility Activity**

> = En Route Facility Activity + Terminal Facility Activity.

**Total IFR Aircraft Handled**

= (2 x Departures) + Domestic and Oceanic Overflights.

**Vehicle/Pedestrian Deviation (VPD)**

> An entry or movement on an airport movement area by a vehicle operator
> or pedestrian that has not been authorized by air traffic control
> (including aircraft operated by a non-pilot).

**Instructions for Accessing ELECTRONIC FILES**

**FOR Aviation System Indicators**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**ACCESSING SYSTEM INDICATORS DATA**

**on the INTERNET / WORLD WIDE WEB**

Aviation System Indicator electronic data files can be accessed on the
Internet / World Wide Web at the Office of System Safety home page:

**http://nasdac.faa.gov**

The setup for this site is likely to be revised in 1997, so the path to
finding System Indicator data from this first page may change. However,
under the current configuration, the System Indicator section can be
accessed by clicking on "Safety Analysis," then on "System Indicators."
This page will show the user several options for accessing System
Indicator information in two basic forms. The first form consists of
electronic versions of this annual System Indicators report (in either
Adobe Acrobat format for reading on-screen or in Microsoft Word 6.0
format for downloading). The second form of information consists of
Excel spreadsheet files that contain all the indicator data presented in
this report, plus historical data by month or by quarter for time
periods going back further than what is presented here. These files can
be downloaded for statistical analysis, preparing graphs in formats
different from what is presented here, and other uses.

Note: The Federal Aviation Administration CORPORATE BULLETIN BOARD,
which previously offered access to system indicators data at
800/224-6287 or 202/267‑5454, has been taken out of service.

**ACCESSING SYSTEM INDICATORS DATA**

**on the FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION**

**FLIGHT STANDARDS SERVICE, AFS‑200 BULLETIN BOARD**

[BULLETIN BOARD SETTINGS]{.underline}

**Phone number:** (202) 267‑5231 **Parity:** None **Stop Bits:** 1

**Baud:** 14,400 or less **Data Bits:** 8 **Duplex:** Full

[INSTRUCTIONS]{.underline}

A. First, be certain you know the name of the default directory into
which your communications software downloads files. You probably will
also want to create a new system indicators directory into which you
will transfer the file after it has been downloaded. \[Note: When
requested, type [Y]{.underline} for YES and [N]{.underline} for NO.\]

B. Dial into the bulletin board using the above modem settings.

C. The first time you dial in, the bulletin board will ask you questions
to set up your account. Most of these are self‑explanatory. Press ENTER
(i.e., a Carriage Return, \<CR\>) after each entry, if the system does
not do so automatically. The following will help:

> For [First Name?]{.underline} , [Last Name?]{.underline} , and
> [Calling From (City,State)?]{.underline} enter the names and location
> you wish to use as your USERNAME each time you access the bulletin
> board.
>
> For [\# Chars per line on screen]{.underline}, you will normally enter
> [80]{.underline} .
>
> For [letter of your terminal]{.underline}, enter one of the following:
>
> [A]{.underline} VIDTEX [D]{.underline} ATARI [G]{.underline} Televid
> 925\
> [B]{.underline} TRS‑80 1/3 [E]{.underline} H19/H89/Z19 [H]{.underline}
> VT‑100\
> [C]{.underline} VT‑52 [F]{.underline} IBM PC *If your terminal is not
> listed, enter* [F]{.underline} .
>
> Normally, you will not wish to modify the [Upper/Lower
> Case]{.underline}, [Line Feeds Needed]{.underline}, or [0 Nulls After
> Each \<CR\>]{.underline} settings.
>
> Normally, you will wish to [pause after each display
> page]{.underline}.
>
> Normally, you will wish to view [24]{.underline} [lines per Display
> page]{.underline}.
>
> You then enter a password per the instructions on your screen.
>
> **Write down the First Name, Last Name, and Password that you entered.
> You will need** **them the next time you call the bulletin board.**
>
> **\--\> If you are uncertain about any answers to the initial setup
> questions or if you encounter problems, check with your system
> administrator. As a last resort, call a Sysop (System Operator): Frank
> Hughes, at 202/267-3460; or Eric Van Opstal at 202/267-3774 \<\--**

You have now completed setting up your account and can access the System
Indicators data.

D. To download the System Indicators data:

> In the [MAIN SYSTEM MENU]{.underline}, choose: \[[1]{.underline}\]
> [Operational Documents]{.underline}
>
> Then, in the [Operational Documents Available]{.underline} menu,
> choose: \[[8]{.underline}\] [Accident Prevention]{.underline}.
>
> The files in this category will be listed. System Indicators data can
> be found in a compressed file called SI_XLS.EXE. This file contains
> seven spreadsheets with system indicators data in Microsoft Excel
> format (version 4 for Windows) and a README.TXT file explaining the
> contents of the spreadsheets.
>
> To download the file:
>
> At the query [Selection or \<CR\> to exit:]{.underline} , type
> [D]{.underline} .
>
> At the query [File Name?]{.underline} , type the name of the file you
> want to download, [SI_XLS.EXE]{.underline}, then hit \<enter\>
>
> *\[From this point on, your results may differ from what follows,
> depending on how your communications software has been set. We
> include, in italics, some notes and suggestions for variations you
> might encounter.\]*
>
> A list of transfer protocols will then appear. At the query [Choose
> one (Q to quit):]{.underline} type the letter of the protocol you
> desire. We suggest that you choose [Z - ZMODEM]{.underline} .
>
> *\[You might not be asked for a transfer protocol\--the system may
> immediately begin downloading the file. If the system does not ask for
> a protocol but then \"hangs,\" try using* [CTRL-X]{.underline} , *or*
> [CTRL-X]{.underline} *followed by* [ESC]{.underline}, *to abort the
> download. Then, at the query* [Selection or \<CR\> to
> exit:]{.underline} , *type* [P]{.underline} *to select a protocol.\]*
>
> To begin the downloading process, at the query [Awaiting Start
> Signal]{.underline} you should press the key used to start receiving
> files. (This is typically the [PgDn]{.underline} key.) File transfer
> will then begin and a \"Transfer Status Box\" will appear on‑screen so
> you can monitor the progress of the transfer.
>
> *\[You may see a second screen again requesting the selection of a
> protocol and/or a file name. In this case, enter the same selections
> as you did the first time.\]*
>
> At completion of the transfer, you are returned to the previous
> selection request query. You may now download another file, list files
> in the Accident Prevention category, etc., or you may press
> [ENTER]{.underline} to return to the [Operational Documents
> Available]{.underline} menu. At this point you may make another
> selection, return to the main menu, or at the [Command:]{.underline}
> query, enter a [G]{.underline} for [\[G\]oodbye]{.underline} to begin
> your logoff from the system.
>
> If you have chosen to log off the system, a [User Signoff
> Menu]{.underline} will now appear. You can now select
> [\[2\]]{.underline} [Terminate the Session]{.underline} to hang up.

E. After terminating the bulletin board session, move the downloaded
System Indicators file from your default directory for downloaded files
into the new directory you created for system indicators. At the DOS
prompt in this directory, type the file name (SI_XLS.EXE) and press
[ENTER]{.underline}. The compressed file will be expanded into seven
spreadsheet files and a README file in ASCII text describing the
contents of the spreadsheets information of interest specific to the
latest edition of the data.

[^1]: This indicator is still under development and is not included in
    this report.

[^2]: Two incident indicator values---near midair collisions and
    vehicle/pedestrian deviations---are based on number of events, not
    rates.