Program Passes Compliance Audit

During the week of November 3, 2008, members of the FAA's Production and Airworthiness Division (AIR-200) travelled to Glasair Aviation's facility in Arlington, WA to review Glasair's 'Two Week To Taxi' program in terms of whether or not such a program could comply with the 'major portion' requirement of Part 21, Section 21.191(g) -- better known (and infamous) as the "51 percent" rule.

Glasair tells ANN the FAA's on-site team found the "lean manufacturing" processes employed, combined with the provided educational assistance, accelerates the Sportsman build time significantly without violating the spirit or intent of Part 21, Section 21.191(g).

"We couldn't be more excited about the results of this visit by the FAA" says Glasair's CEO Mikael Via. "I want to sincerely thank Mr. Frank Paskiewicz, head of the FAA's production and airworthiness division, for bringing his team all the way from Washington, DC to take a look at the unique opportunity we've developed at Glasair."

Paskiewicz and the FAA's Amateur-Built Rulemaking Committee have been at the center of vigorous public debate on proposed new policies for administering and enforcing the 51 percent rule for amateur-built aircraft.

Glasair admits 'Two Weeks to Taxi' had been somewhat controversial since its introduction in 2006, because it is the first program ever developed which allows builders access to a very organized, systematic course that takes them on a step by step building program that ends with their airplane taxing from the hangar under its own power.

"We have worked very, very hard to develop a program that makes aircraft building more accessible, more organized, and as efficient as possible, while staying within the letter and spirit of the amateur built rule," says Via, who added the FAA's findings will allow the Two Weeks to Taxi program to grow and expand.

FMI: www.glasairaviation.com