<<Obviously they could if they wanted to, but I don't think they ever
will, as they still think we are all too dumb.  Maybe some day.  I asked
them at OSH specifically just that, and they said they didn't have any
plans for it, and followed with some incoherent mumbling as to why,
which I promptly ignored.>>

I think you're giving Continental a bum rap with the complaints on how the
FADEC is calibrated.  They are trying to certify the system and if they show
that the engine is operated within the existing operators instructions they
only have to prove reliability of the system.  If they operate the engine
"outside the envelop" then they will likely have to also prove the
durability of the engine - and in the worst case that might be each engine
and airframe combination.  So I think they are just being prudent in getting
it certified with the least unknowns.  For those like me that want to
operate LOP that is disappointing, but probably not caused by them just
being too dumb to see the light.

Gary Casey
Lycoming operator at the moment