1 EXHIBIT 23(a) CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated February 5, 1999, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of The BFGoodrich Company included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1998, in the following Registration Statements and in the related Prospectuses: REGISTRATION NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILING DATE - ------------ ------------------------------------- ----------- 33-20421 The B.F.Goodrich Company Key Employees' March 1, 1988 Stock Option Plan -- Form S-8 2-88940 The B.F.Goodrich Company Retirement Plus April 28, 1989 Savings Plan -- Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Form S-8 33-29351 The Rohr Industries, Inc. 1988 Non-Employee June 19, 1989 Director Stock Option Plan -- Form S-8 33-49052 The B.F.Goodrich Company Key Employees' June 26, 1992 Stock Option Plan -- Form S-8 33-59580 The B.F.Goodrich Company Retirement Plus March 15, 1993 Savings Plan for Wage Employees -- Form S-8 333-03293 The B.F.Goodrich Company Stock Option Plan -- Form S-8 May 8, 1996 333-03343 Common Stock -- Form S-3 May 8, 1996 333-19697 The B.F.Goodrich Company Savings January 13, 1997 Benefit Restoration Plan -- Form S-8 333-53877 Pretax Savings Plan for the Salaried Employees of May 29, 1998 Rohr, Inc. (Restated 1994) and Rohr, Inc. Savings Plan for Employees Covered by Collective Bargaining Agreements (Restated 1994) -- Form S-8 333-53879 Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan -- Form S-8 May 29, 1998 333-53881 Rohr, Inc. 1982 Stock Option Plan, May 29, 1998 Rohr, Inc. 1989 Stock Incentive Plan and Rohr, Inc. 1995 Stock Incentive Plan -- Form S-8 /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP Cleveland, Ohio March 3, 1999