EAA Warbirds of America, Industry Achieve Major Breakthrough

[Eric Friedebach]

From today's EAA eHotline email:

Relief Available on Proficiency Flight Limitations for Former Military Aircraft

EAA and the Warbirds of America (WOA) received terrific news this week from the FAA regarding experimental exhibition operating limitations for former military aircraft in Groups I, II, and III. The FAA has announced a process to allow for a letter of deviation, permitting owners to conduct proficiency flights beyond the 300 nm (piston) and 600 nm (turbine) radius of operations stipulated in a section of FAA Order 8130.2F.

The geographic limitations were adopted as a safety measure in the early 1990s when a large number of former military aircraft was imported into the United States. Since then, safety records have shown that the proficiency limitations did little, if anything, to improve safety. Industry groups, including WOA, felt that allowing pilots to train outside these limits would help raise the pilot’s experience and proficiency levels, thus improving safety.

Discussions on the issue turned a huge corner during meetings hosted by EAA and WOA in March 2007 when industry representatives and senior FAA officials reviewed FAA Order 8130.2F and discussed recommendations on future revisions. At EAA AirVenture 2007 in July, the FAA agreed to issue the letter of deviation and discussed the proposed timetable for its release. Other organizations represented included the Commemorative Air Force (CAF); Classic Jet Aircraft Association (CJAA); and Courtesy Aircraft.

Input was also received from the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation (AAHF); North American Trainer Association (NATA); Red Star Pilots Association (RPA); International Aerobatic Club (IAC); as well as pilots and owners of former military aircraft.

“We are extremely pleased with this outcome,” said Rick Siegfried, EAA Warbirds of America president. “EAA Warbirds of America and our industry partners have worked very hard on our members’ behalf. By meeting face-to-face in Oshkosh with FAA officials, we were able to work through this and other issues. We have submitted a list of recommended revisions to FAA Order 8130.2F and look forward to even more progress in the weeks and months to come.”

Link, including FAA Form 8130-6

[Zachary]

That gosh-darned EAA! It ain't about airplanes anymore - it's all about money. EAA's gone all commercial blah blah blah.

I hope everyone can tell I'm being sarcastic. It's things like this that make me proud to work at EAA and be an EAA member. I hope the next time people start bashing EAA, they stop and think about all the good stuff the organization does for aviation.

Zack

[mustangdriver]

It is things like this that made me become a Lifetime member.