Will Provide Update On 51% Amateur-Built Rule Enforcement.

Earl Lawrence, vice president of Industry and Regulatory Affairs for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), will talk about "Understanding the '51% Rule'" at this year's Golden West Regional Fly-in and Airshow Forum.

Lawrence will appear on Saturday, June 7 at 2:00 PM. The three day fly-in and airshow takes place on June 6-8 at Yuba County Airport (MYV) in Marysville, CA.

"The FAA will soon announce its revised policy regarding exactly how it will determine and enforce an amateur builder's compliance with the '51% Rule,' which requires the amateur personally to complete more than half of the construction tasks on the aircraft-building project," Lawrence explains.

At the recent Lakeland Fly-In, the FAA announced all aircraft kits currently on the approved list will continue to conform to the 51% Rule. This alleviates worry that builders would be purchasing kits that could lose their compliance status. However, there is concern the FAA will enforce the rule more narrowly as it relates to prefabricated assemblies, quick-build kits and professional assistance.

"We realize that there are abuses of the rule, and the EAA supports the 51% Rule, but we're also concerned that too narrow an interpretation will take much of the innovation, creativity and enjoyment out of the home-build movement," Lawrence observes.

In addition to the Forum, The Golden West Regional Fly-in will feature workshops, an airshow each day and the Golden West Aero MallTM with exhibits by manufacturers of the latest aircraft, avionics and pilot supplies.

FMI: www.goldenwestflyin.org, www.eaa.org