FAA Simplifies Experimental Aircraft Program for Veteran Pilots
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently introduced a revolutionary policy change that greatly eases operations for veteran experimental aircraft pilots. With the new “Experimental Aircraft All Makes and Models” Program, pilots possessing three Authorized Experimental Aircraft (AEA) authorizations in high-performance piston aircraft can now operate additional experimental aircraft without the need for practical tests.
This significant reform, necessitated by Section 806 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, substitutes the former complex documentation process with straightforward logbook endorsements from certified flight instructors. Representative Sam Graves (R-Mo.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, lauded the change, emphasizing that it eradicates “many cumbersome hoops” that experimental aircraft pilots previously encountered.
The program is specifically designed for pilots with three AEAs in high-performance single-engine or multi-engine piston aircraft. Authorization is now granted through flight instructor endorsements after the completion of required ground and flight training, rather than through formal FAA documentation. This streamlined approach is projected to cut down costs for both the agency and pilots, while promoting wider participation in experimental aviation.
Source: Flying Magazine