ICAO changes cockpit door weight rules

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has changed its weight rules regarding strengthened cockpit doors on business jets.

Toughened doors are required for aircraft operating charter flights.

Previous rules stated that hardened doors were needed for business jets with 19 seats or fewer, with a maximum take-off weight of 100,310lbs.

The new rules increase the maximum take-off weight to 120,152lbs.

By increasing the weight, the need for aircraft including the Gulfstream G650ER and the upcoming Global 7000 to have the strengthened doors has been removed.

Kurt Edwards, director general of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) welcomed the news, saying “For the last three years, IBAC has worked closely with the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA), Bombardier, and Gulfstream to make this amendment a reality. The effort took much planning and working through the full standard-making process at ICAO and shows ICAO recognition of greater operational capabilities and industry evolution,”

The new rules will be effective as of July 16 2018.