The FAA has released a policy memo that reverses a troubling change in Phase I operating limitations that was originally set to be included with the latest update of Order 8130.2, which became effective in December. The change would have limited aircraft in Phase I to operating out of a single airport, or two with “valid justification of a specific flight test or safety requirement.”

The policy memo restores the previous version of this limitation, which simply requires the designated airworthiness representative (DAR) to evaluate the proposed list of airports for Phase I and enumerate them in the description of the flight test area.

“EAA appreciates the FAA’s action in responding to our feedback and reversing this change,” said Tom Charpentier, EAA government relations director. “Needlessly limiting airports during flight testing is detrimental to safety and the flight testing process itself.”

Homebuilders facing any difficulty obtaining the corrected operating limitation should tell their DAR and/or FSDO to review memo AIR-600-GM17, or contact EAA for further assistance.