On Aug 5, 10:52*am, Bob Kuykendall wrote:
On Aug 5, 10:33*am, Andy wrote:

...The known downsides to experimental are the program
letter and its associated restrictions...

Not all "Experimental" aircraft have the same limitations. There are
big differences between Amateur-built experimentals and Racing and
Exhibition experimentals.

Unless it says otherwise in the operating limitations (and, again, I
have never seen such a limitation), operators of amateur-built
Experimentals are not required to submit an annual program letter as
is required of operators of post-moratorium racing or exhibition
experimentals.

Thanks, Bob K.


as is required of operators of post-moratorium racing or exhibition
experimentals.

Actually the last 2 lines above vary. I just reapplied for a new
Special Airworhtyness cert and "Negotiated" the Operating Limitations
with the FAA this past
June, 2010 as an Experimental Exhibition/Racing.

I reapplied because when I bought the glider the Special Airworthy
Cert and Operating Limitations did not have the same date and the FAA
had no records of the matching set. The Original Cert was dated in
1984 so perhaps that is pre-moratorium and exempt from the program
letter requirement?

I added the /Racing and got the annual program letter requirement
removed, and it was a painless easy process....I even had the FAA
office do the inspection instead of a DAR, so it cost nothing, and
they were very nice about the whole thing. I was pleasantly
surprised.

I think each FAA office will be different as so many things are up to
interpretation apparently.

Ray