FAA Small AIrcraft Directorate Position on Experimental AirworthinessCertificates

On Jun 15, 11:05*pm, Frank Whiteley wrote:
On Jun 15, 8:17*pm, NG wrote:



I spoke with the head of the FAA Small Aircraft Directorate for
gliders yesterday regarding Experimental Airworthiness Certificates
for gliders. *In at least several states and particularly Arizona all
gliders are having their Experimental Airworthiness certificates
reviewed. *Due to an issue causing my DG505 to have its Standard
Airworthiness certificate recently revoked, which I further lost on
Federal appeal in front of the NTSB (see my posting June 8th 2010),
due to bad paperwork supplied by AMS Flight, d.o.o., I was caused to
engage the FAA in this dialogue.

I was informed by the head of the FAA Small Aircraft Directorate for
gliders that he recently had conversations with his supervisors in
Washington, D.C. and that in order to obtain or retain an Experimental
Airworthiness certificate the glider must be engaged in "racing" and
"preparation for racing". *He said an agenda of racing events must be
supplied to the FAA at the local FSDO level at the time of issuance or
revision of paperwork. *I was told that the Experimental Airworthiness
Certificate was NOT meant to be used for "fun flying".

I asked if badge flying would be considered as a type of racing. *He
said that one could attempt to engage the local FSDO with this to see
if in their judgement it would be valid, but he would not commit one
way or the other. *Having recently engaged the FAA in federal court I
have found that they can be a bit of a sticky wicket. *You may want to
look at the code on the definition of Experimental Certification if
you plan on obtaining or maintaining this type of certification. *An
electronic version of the code is easily reached online.

Neil AZ

Download yourself a copy of FAA Order 8130.2 with Chg 5.

Read Section 10 for comprehension. *Everything that applies to ALL and
Group I applies to you.

See para 161b(35).

(35) Proficiency flights are authorized without geographical
restrictions when conducted in
preparation for participation in sanctioned meets and pursuant to
qualify for Federal Aeronautique
International (FAI) or Soaring Society of America (SSA) awards. These
flights may only take place as
defined in the applicant’s program letter, and prior to the specific
FAI or SSA event. The pilot in
command must submit a description of the intended route and/or
geographical area intended to be flown
to the local FSDO.
(Applicability: Group I, gliders only)

I could spend two life times becoming more proficient and chasing FAI
and SSA Awards. *Let's see, there's badges, records, diplomas,
competition, and the OLC. *Much too much to race for to only fly for
fun. *Soaring is a wonderful sport, isn't it? *One real concern, check
with your life insurance underwriter about flying gliders and
experimental aircraft.

We'll be looking for your flights on OLC.

Happy racing,

Frank Whiteley

One wonders what this is really all about. So far, it appears easily
dealt with. But restive bureaucracies are always a concern.

Am I correct in my understanding that none of this applies to exp -
air racing certificated aircraft licensed before 1992 -- that is,
those of us without annual program letter requirements?

-T8