Government Shutdown

Well into week two of the federal government’s shutdown in this country, aviation industry groups are hard at work attempting to convince regulators of the shutdown’s negative impact to our industry. Or as one report I read puts it, it’s not really a shutdown but perhaps more of a slimdown, a supersequestration, or intermission. Not to make light of the situation, whatever you choose to call the lack of action in Washington, it appears to be affecting our industry.

One of the more interesting points I read relates to aircraft registration being considered a “non-essential” activity. Reports have stated that 10,000 aircraft registrations expire each month. According to industry leaders, closing of the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch has far-reaching implications not only impacting new aircraft sales and registration, but import and export of aircraft and financing of purchases.

What about aircraft maintenance activity? Maintenance organizations could be impacted if owners of new corporate use aircraft scheduled for completion at any number of places that are forced to postpone the input. Then there are the manufacturers: are (or will) they slow production rates due to uncertain deliveries?

I’m sure there are more examples of impact or possible impact not readily known by many of us. What’s your experience been? Have you or your company seen an impact? Ron