Written by the FAA

With as many as five Wreplica Wright 1903 Flyer models' expecting to become airworthy (to one degree or another) this year, the FAA has taken some special steps to help ensure that history's remaking will not be impeded, and that not too many Wright Flyers will become entries in the NTSB's Accident and Incident books.

Most of the FAA's requirements are effectively 'permanent' (as, to our knowledge, none of the replicas will ever get enough air time to fly them off, even though some are requiring as little as a half-hour's air time), some are at least interesting.

Interesting...

Interesting, in that the TBO for an authentic Wright Flyer engine is expected to be measured in the dozens of minutes; interesting, in that the replicas are all placarded from attempting aerobatic maneuvers; interesting, in that the word, "EXPERIMENTAL," must still be prominently affixed to the aircraft; interesting, in that these one-man airplanes are prohibited from carrying passengers "or property for compensation or hire."

Nicely as it is done in the example (from the EAA/Ford/Wright Experience machine, above), would you attempt aerobatics in this machine?

Certain of the Wrights' construction materials and especially methods aren't considered "airworthy" today, either -- how would they have known? Nevertheless, the operating limitations must be carried within the pilots' view.

At least the FAA isn't requiring lap and shoulder belts...

FMI: www.faa.gov