More Time Granted For Aircraft Registered, But Awaiting Inspection

Common sense has prevailed. The Experimental Aircraft Association tells ANN officials with the FAA have approved EAA’s exemption request for the transition of ultralights and two-place machines to the Experimental-Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) category after the January 31 deadline.

The exemption allows aircraft owners who have submitted their aircraft registration (n-number) application to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch and had it entered into the FAA system on or before January 31, 2008, to complete the process, including issuance of an airworthiness certificate, beyond the deadline. As ANN reported, EAA asked for the exemption last month due to a backlog in inspections from FAA personnel, caused by the flood of applications for E-LSA transition.

"EAA is very pleased that FAA saw the necessity of this exemption to meet the backlog of applications to the E-LSA category," said Earl Lawrence, EAA’s vice president of government and industry programs. "Our good working relationship with FAA allowed us to understand exactly what these aircraft owners needed, what the FAA would allow within a request, and the time-essential nature of this exemption approval."

The exemption provides additional time for those already registered but awaiting inspection, and also provides relief for those facing certification issues beyond their control (i.e., severe weather preventing DAR travel, shortage of critical flight safety components from manufacturers, etc.) to complete the certification process beyond the deadline.

More information on the exemption is available from EAA Aviation Services at 877-359-1232.

Meanwhile, FAA senior staff is in Oshkosh for the annual mid-winter EAA/FAA summit meeting at the EAA Aviation Center. EAA says the annual meeting is a unique gathering, that allows for productive discussion of important aviation issues on many fronts, including homebuilt and vintage aircraft, sport pilot, warbirds, aerobatic flights, and more.

FMI: www.eaa.org