Policy Would Have Limited Airports Allowed For Phase I Tests

After receiving numerous complaints, the FAA overturned a policy set in December involving experimental aircraft testing. The regulation limited aircraft in Phase I to operating out of only a single airport.

The order, 8130.2K, was issued on August 28 and took effect in December. It cut down the number of airports permitted for Phase I flight testing. The previous wording stated: “This aircraft may only operate from [identify name of airport(s)],” to be filled in by the appropriate inspector or DAR. This enforced no specific cap on the number of airports that could be listed.

The more recent wording allowed only one airfield to be listed, though “a second airfield may be listed with valid justification of a specific flight test or safety requirement.”

Organizations like the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) had a big problem with the limitation, especially since Phase I requires ensuring that the aircraft can operate in different environments. With only one field permitted for use, inspectors could not verify an aircraft’s performance with various runway surfaces, wind conditions, or traffic volumes.

The EAA immediately presented its concerns to the FAA, calling the order an “unnecessary limitation in available airports” that would “add needless complication to an already stressful situation.” It received “favorable indications” that the agency would reconsider its decision, which turned out to be true.

The FAA’s new policy memo reverses the change in Phase I limitations. It brings back the original allowance, only requiring the designated airworthiness representative (DAR) to evaluate and list approved airports in the test area for Phase I operations.

“EAA appreciates the FAA’s action in responding to our feedback and reversing this change,” expressed Tom Charpentier, the EAA’s government relations director. “Needlessly limiting airports during flight testing is detrimental to safety and the flight testing process itself.”

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