From today's AvWeb:
http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/602-full.html#191860
EAA Proposes New Vintage Category

"Earl Lawrence, EAA's vice president of industry and regulatory affairs,
says too much time and money is spent trying to comply with regulations that
do nothing to improve the safety of aging aircraft, and in fact, the current
rules have become an impediment to safety. "We need a different system," he
told AVweb on Saturday. EAA and the Vintage Aircraft Association have asked
the FAA to create a new category for vintage aircraft, Lawrence said.
"Aircraft flown by private owners in low-stress, personal flying need to be
able to modernize. We need to make it easier for owners to maintain their
aircraft and keep them safe while cutting down on paperwork." The FAA liked
the proposal, he said. It would make their work easier, and enable them to
use their limited resources more efficiently. But that doesn't mean change
will happen overnight. A 10- to 12-year time frame would not surprise
anyone, Lawrence said."

Offering Owners Of Old Airplanes A Choice

"In their proposal for a new vintage category, EAA and the VAA said that
such aircraft would not be limited in size or complexity; Part 43
airworthiness regulations would still apply; the installation of parts and
items that are not PMA- or TSO-compliant would be allowed; and aircraft in
the new category would lose any privileges to carry persons or property for
hire. The owner would have the option to transfer to the new category or
not. No specific age limits were proposed."


[Me again]
It would be nice if at some point (30 years?) the plane would be considered
a homebuilt - it's yours, do what you want with it!

"30 years of oversight, our job is done. Now it's up to the pilot/owner" -
FAA.

Yeah, that'll happen ...in about 30 years! :-)


Montblack