Will allow operators of
surplus military operators of experimental exhibition aircraft to
continue flying for one year
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is applauding an
Federal Aviation Administration policy decision that will allow EAA
Warbirds of America members to continue flying for nearly a year
before completing a requirement to convert their aircraft-operating
credentials. The policy, which FAA plans to release as early as
today (Aug. 13) in the form of a Revised Guidance Notice, is a
product of discussions between EAA's government-relations staff and
FAA officials.
"A logjam in FAA's processing of these pilots' applications
would have left the pilots of these aircraft without flying
privileges had EAA not pushed for this extension," said Doug
Macnair, EAA's vice president of government relations in
Washington, D.C. "We worked with FAA on a remedy that will buy some
time for the operators of surplus-military experimental exhibition
aircraft who continue to seek the mandatory conversion of a Letter
of Authorization [LOA] or a Letter of Operational Authority [LOOA]
to an airman certificate."
Pilots with a valid LOA or LOOA -- essentially, documents
granting temporary flying privileges until the new airman
certificates can be acquired -- will be able to continue operating
until they convert to the airman certificate or until July 31,
2005, whichever occurs first. Macnair cautioned members
affected by this new policy not to delay in seeking the required
conversion of their LOAs and LOOAs to the appropriate
airman-certificate ratings.
"The deadline of July
31, 2005 for the completion of the conversions is inflexible and
all LOA and LOOA privileges cease after that date," he said. "With
the high demand and lengthy processing times to carry out these
conversions, Warbirds operators should submit their conversion
application packages immediately if they haven't done so
already."
According to Macnair, the FAA Notice will include specific
instructions for pilots seeking the exchange of an LOA or LOOA to
the appropriate airman certificate. EAA's website will provide a
link to the FAA Notice and any required supporting material as soon
as the FAA makes the policy public.
EAA is also working closely with senior Flight Standards staff
at FAA headquarters to develop new policies designed to increase
the number of available pilot examiners for Warbirds operators and
other experimental exhibition aircraft. That policy is in
development and should be completed within the next several
months.
"We're talking to FAA about reexamining some of the operational
restrictions on experimental exhibition aircraft. The regulations
don't allow these pilots sufficient flexibility to use their
airplanes outside of the context of an exhibition or air show,"
Macnair said. "With the implementation of the new airman
certification process that ensures that the agency knows who is
operating experimental exhibition aircraft and how they were
trained and evaluated, we believe FAA can expand the operating
envelope for these aircraft without compromising safety."