ADVOCACY UPDATE
GOVERNMENTAL ISSUES
Big Win: FAA Clarifies
ADs for Experimentals
EAA AND EXPERIMENTAL CATEGORY aircraft owners have waited a
long time for this good news: On March 12, the FAA published
an updated advisory circular (AC) on airworthiness directives
This issue has been
on EAA’s “Top 10” list of
advocacy issues and part of the
agenda at the last three EAA/
FAA Recreational Aviation
Summits. The absence of FAA
headquarters’ guidance had
created a patchwork of regional
policies that varied and at times
conflicted with each other.
“This is an outcome that is the
result of many hours of hard work
and EAA’s insistence that ADs do not
apply to experimental aircraft,” said
Sean Elliott, EAA vice president of
advocacy and safety. “It clears a great
deal of confusion by setting a consistent
FAA policy.”
The circular also retained FAA’s
option to include experimental category
aircraft in an AD, but it must state that
inclusion. Examples may include an
emergency AD involving an immediate
safety of flight issue or products
that may be installed on both type-
certificated and non-type-certificated
aircraft, such as aircraft engines,
propellers, and similar products.
SUMMIT BRINGS EAA, FAA FACE-TO-FACE ON SAFETY
EAA AND THE FAA HAVE CONSTANT communications throughout
the year through countless one-on-one meetings, industry
gatherings, and teleconferences. EAA, however, has a unique
connection with the nation’s aviation agency through two
opportunities to meet face-to-face in working-group settings that
really get things done.
One of those events, of course, is EAA AirVenture Oshkosh,
but just as important is the annual Recreational Aviation Summit
held at the EAA Aviation Center each winter. As EAA Vice Presi-
dent of Advocacy and Safety Sean Elliott said, “In working with
the FAA’s top people, we look for, and find, solutions instead of
making outright demands, and all come out winners.”
Safety, how to measure it and how to improve it, led the
agenda for this year’s summit. Much of the discussion focused on
amateur-built aircraft operations and how the FAA and EAA can
continue to work together to enhance safety without needlessly
restricting the freedom of innovation that is key to amateur-built
aircraft. The safety record of amateur-built aircraft is improving
by several measures, but there are areas where more progress is
needed. How to track safety trends in a reliable way, and show
positive improvement in the record, is a primary objective for
both the FAA and EAA in the coming year.
Among the top FAA officials at the session in Oshkosh were
Tony Fazio, director of the Office of Accident Investigation and
Prevention; John Allen, director of Flight Standards; and Doren-
da Baker, director of Aircraft Certification. EAA’s contingent was
led by President/CEO Rod Hightower and
EAA Founder Paul Poberezny.
EAA and FAA leaders discuss concerns during a meeting in Oshkosh
in mid-February.
