Annual EAA/FAA Summit Yields Progress

February 9, 2017 - High-level FAA officials met with EAA senior leadership in Oshkosh February 7-8, for the annual EAA/FAA Recreational Aviation Summit, a meeting of the minds where both groups work together to solve the most pressing issues facing recreational aviation today. Among the attendees were leaders from the FAA’s Flight Standards Service, Aircraft Certification Office, Airports Division, and Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention.

“Outside of AirVenture, this is our best opportunity to make real, measurable progress with FAA leadership and policymakers,” said EAA Vice President of Advocacy and Safety Sean Elliott. “This year’s summit was no different in that we made meaningful headway in some of our most important advocacy initiatives.”

The most significant takeaway from this year’s summit was the FAA’s reinforcement of support for a reformed Parts Manufacturing Approval (PMA) process. Managers from the FAA’s Aircraft Certification Office in Washington, D.C. provided a comprehensive plan on the future of the project as well as action items for FAA, EAA, and TruTrak Flight Systems, EAA’s partner in the initiative, to move the PMA reform process to a successful conclusion.

“Projects like these are what EAA’s advocacy efforts are all about,” Elliott said. “We are working collaboratively with the FAA to significantly decrease the cost and complexity of certain avionics upgrades in standard category aircraft while also improving safety.”

Progress was also made with FAA’s Flight Standards Service on Phase I flight test reform, specialty examiner policy, flight training in restricted category aircraft, and the air show waiver process. EAA’s International Aerobatic Club, Warbirds of America, and Vintage Aircraft Association divisions were also present to work issues impacting their membership.

EAA is the only organization to conduct this type of annual interaction with the FAA, allowing EAA’s advocacy team to meet face-to-face with key players in the government in the name of collaboration. 

“Since EAA’s inception, Paul Poberezny instilled a culture of positive relationship building with the FAA,” said EAA CEO and Chairman Jack J. Pelton. “This summit is one of the traditions that keeps that philosophy alive and well today.”