REFLECTOR:FAA changes Operating Limitations

[Scott Derrick]

The FAA made a major change to the Operating Limitations section of 
8130.2  Not to the better in my opinion!

Here's the old one

(19) After incorporating a major change as described in § 21.93, the 
aircraft owner is required to re-establish compliance with § 91.319(b). 
All operations will be conducted day VFR in a sparsely populated area. 
The aircraft must remain in flight test for a minimum of 5 hours. 
Persons non-essential to the flight shall not be carried. The aircraft 
owner shall make a detailed log book entry describing the change prior 
to the test flight. Following satisfactory completion of the required 
number of flight hours in the flight test area, the pilot shall certify 
in the records that the aircraft has been shown to comply with § 
91.319(b). Compliance with § 91.319(b) shall be recorded in the aircraft 
records with the following or a similarly worded statement: "I certify 
that the prescribed flight test hours have been completed and the 
aircraft is controllable throughout its normal range of speeds and 
throughout all maneuvers to be executed, has no hazardous operating 
characteristics or design features, and is safe for operation. The 
following aircraft operating data has been demonstrated during the 
flight testing: speeds Vso______, Vx______, and Vy______, and the 
weight______, and CG location______ at which they were obtained."

Here's the new one

(19) After incorporating a major change as described in § 21.93, the 
aircraft owner is required to reestablish compliance with § 91.319(b) 
and notify the geographically responsible FSDO of the location of the 
proposed test area. The aircraft owner must obtain concurrence from the 
FSDO as to the suitability of the proposed test area.  If the major 
change includes installing a different make and model of engine or 
propeller, the aircraft owner must fill out a revised Form 8130-6 to 
update the aircraft's file in the FAA Aircraft Registry. All operations 
must be conducted under day VFR conditions in a sparsely populated area. 
The aircraft must remain in flight test for a minimum of 5 hours or for 
the time the FSDO assigns. Persons nonessential to the flight must not 
be carried. The aircraft owner must make a detailed logbook entry 
describing the change before the test flight. Following satisfactory 
completion of the required number of flight hours in the flight test 
area, the pilot must certify in the records that the aircraft has been 
shown to comply with § 91.319(b). Compliance with § 91.319(b) must be 
recorded in the aircraft records with the following, or a similarly 
worded, statement: "I certify that the prescribed flight test hours have 
been completed and the aircraft is controllable throughout its normal 
range of speeds and throughout all maneuvers to be executed, has no 
hazardous characteristics or design features, and is safe for operation. 
The following aircraft operating data has been demonstrated during the 
flight testing: speeds Vso ______, Vx ______, and Vy ______, and the 
weight ______, and CG location ______ at which they were obtained."