You may have heard that the FAA is studying the current status of the 51% rule.

 

It is widely believed that there is systematic abuse of the rule by some builders who employ businesses and individuals to complete much more than 49% of their aircraft, then falsify FAA Form 8130-12, Eligibility Statement for Amateur-Built Aircraft.

 

FAA has formed an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to study the situation and make recommendations regarding the rule.  You can read the ARC charter here: 

 

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgOrders.nsf/0/efe4866385f304a0862571b800535d7a/$FILE/Order1110.143.pdf

 

As a builder's assistant and a member of the committee, I am interested in your opinions.  I am posting this message to a number of experimental aircraft forums in the hope of developing some kind of consensus to bring to the next meeting.

 

I would ask that you make whatever comments you feel are relevant to the forums, but in an attempt to develop a consensus, I’m also asking for a show of hands:  please email me at Dave@AirCraftersLLC.com with your comments, and if possible summarize your thinking in the subject line as either “Keep 51% As Is” or “Allow More Builder Assistance”.  I understand there is currently a HUGE gray area in between.  Also, if you care to post this note to other forums please feel free—I’ll do my best to keep up with the traffic.

 

I look forward to your responses.

 

Dave Saylor

AirCrafters LLC