Originally Posted by
Sport_Pilot
Speaking of the engine failure. Why do only the newest GA planes have electronic magnetos? When I owned a plane I had more trouble with magnetos and magneto failure than you could shake a stick at. Never a problem with my electronic ignition in my car. Some homebuilders replaced on magneto with an automobile ignition system because they were so reliable. But the FAA kept stalling on their approval. My plane had almost the same magneto as my grandfathers tractor LOL.
Same thing can be said for engine cylinders, valves, and camshafts. Poor quality and design IMO. Have the FAA approved unleaded gas yet? If you don't die from crashing your plane you may die from lead poisoning. Some of the aviation has enough lead to kill you.
Sport my Friend , I believe it's a matter of the industry running the FAA and not the other way around . The costs associated with incorporating these modern safety enhancements ensure they won't be in place till mandated . And they'll never be when the government entity that's supposed to be ensuring aviation safety is focused solely on protecting aviation from the public , while ignoring protecting the public from GA ! Since the date the FAA first decided to step into the model aircraft hobby there have been exactly zero deaths involving RC models hitting occupied airplanes . How many GA deaths have there been in that same timeframe to those flying and those on the ground ? And yes , the antiquated technology they soldier on with is a factor in many of these deaths , I'll 100% agree , since engine failure is the #1 reported cause of all GA crashes .