On Sat, 13 Jan 2007 15:48:48 +0100, Mxsmanic wrote:

The implication is that there is some inherent added risk in operating
an aircraft that is more than 18 years old. However, I'm not aware of
any such added risk. What basis is there for such a belief?

A recently-passed law releases the aircraft manufacturer from liability if the
aircraft is more than 18 years old. Therefore, if a lawsuit stems from a pilot
crashing in an airplane more than 18 years old, the only target his heirs could
sue would be the maintenance shop that worked on the airplane. Thus, if a shop
limits its customers to newer airplanes, the manufacturer would be a
co-defendant...and undoubtedly the "deep pocket" that would pay most of the cost
of any judgement against them.

It's certainly in the best interest of the maintenance shop's insurance company
to try to limit them to newer airplanes, and the premiums would reflect that.

Ron Wanttaja