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."

FMI: www.eaa.org, www.faa.gov