Last December, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) created a stir by publishing a recommendation calling for the FAA to require that all enclosed-cabin piston-engine aircraft be equipped with a low-level carbon monoxide (CO) detector and that aviation alphabet organizations inform their members about the dangers of CO poisoning, encourage them to install CO detectors and ensure thorough exhaust system inspections.
Some aviators read the headlines and reacted as if the NTSB were mandating the demise of general aviation. The details and background of the NTSB’s recommendation are in the sidebar on the next page and we’ll point out right here that the NTSB does not have the power to compel the FAA to do anything.