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. |
EAA hosted a meeting attended by Warbird industry leaders and senior FAA officials at this year’s AirVenture Oshkosh. |
