FAA publishes proposed changes to amateur-built rules.

On Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:46:14 -0500, Jim Logajan
wrote:

Jim Logajan wrote:
Stealth Pilot wrote:
why not ask for the regs to be expanded to accomodate the commercial
builders of uncertified aircraft.

I think that has been suggested to the FAA - Dick VanGrunsven wrote an
article that mentions that:

http://www.eaa.org/govt/building_lookback.asp

Quick followup to my own post: The ARC does appear to have recommended such
a thing but...

"At the Summit meeting, Associate Administrator for Safety Nick Sabatini
said that there's currently "a clear distinction between type certificated
and amateur-built. To put another layer in there and say it's commercially
available will prompt questions regarding safety that becomes a difficult
conversation.""
...
"Conversely, the FAA said that allowing commercial building of a kit
aircraft and calling it a homebuilt could adversely affect Part 23-
certifcated aircraft manufacturers."

From: http://www.eaa.org/news/2008/2008-02-06_summit.asp

Bottom line:

(1) The FAA associate admin for safety doesn't like the idea of another
category for reasons he doesn't wish, or is unable, to articulate. It is
difficult if not impossible to argue when "no reason is given."

(2) If the EAA article is correct, the FAA appears to have explicitly
stated that they are trying to protect Part 23 manufacturers. Which member
of the FAA stated this is not mentioned.

my point is that guys like vaughn need to point the finger to the
problem you highlight in the FAA argument, not unwittingly let them
destroy a growing area of commercial activity.

why does this interest me all the way around on the other side of the
world. our regulators are so clueless that they do a donkey act
everytime and blindly follow yours. to get ours fixed we need to be
vigilant on matters in america.


as I see it...
any new technology starts out as a set of gurus developing it from
scratch. all the knowledge is in their heads.
the second phase of commercialisation involves spreading the
understanding and creating a market. gurus are still in the lead but
others are picking up the knowledge as well and it is becoming
published.
the third phase involves the technology becoming widely understood and
becoming a part of everyday life. there is no longer a need for gurus
because everyone understands it.
computing is now pretty well in the third phase.
aviation is locked in the second phase by regulation. it will have a
permanent future if we can get it into the third phase.
locked in the second phase will mean it will die like the steam
engine.

thanks for the research Jim.

Stealth Pilot