This memorandum provides clarification and standardization of varying interpretations of the proficiency areas and operating limitations that are currently part of FAA Order 8130.27, Certification and Operation of Aircraft under the Experimental Purpose(s) of Research and Development, Exhibition, and/or Air Racing; and Issuance of Special Flight Authorization for Non-U.S. Aircraft. This policy guidance will replace existing sections of the order and be effective immediately. These changes will only affect aircraft certificated after the date of this memorandum.

Under section 8, "Groups of Aircraft":, subparagraphs 8a(3), 8b(3), and 8c(3), "Proficiency Area," each subparagraph speaks to a "home airport" or "home base airport" with a radius of a specified number of nautical miles from that airport. This will now be changed to: All proficiency flights will be conducted in the airspace within an operational radius of -(insert number from order)- nautical miles from the "airport where the aircraft is based." The profeciency area listed for Group IV aircraft will stay the same, as currently described and only the words "specificed home airport" will be replaced with: "airpot where the aircraft is based." (This memo will not change the nautical mile distances currently listed in FAA Order 8130.27.)

The "NOTE" that follows section 8 will be replaced in its entirety with the following:

"This NOTE is applicable to Group I, II, III, and IV aircraft. Operation of all aircraft will be restricted to airports that are within airspace classes C, D, E, or G,; except in the case of a declared emergency or other operations allowed under an airshow waiver. Prior to issuing operating limitations for the aircraft, the certificating inspector will coordinate approach and departure corridors with the Flight Standards District Office (Operations Unit) and Air Traffic Control Facility that has the geographic responsibility for the airport on which the aircraft will be based or operations conducted . In addition the applicant will provide a highlighted aeronautical map or chart depicting the proposed operational area, including a list of proposed alternate airports. The radius will not exceed the limits authorized for the applicable aircraft group. The map/chart is a part of the aircraft operating limitations and must be carried onboard the aircraft when operating.

In Appendix 1, the following limitations have been changed to reflect national standardization of FAA Policy.

Limitation Number (8), Will include the name of the FAA office and be shown in the limitations as described:

"Application must be made to the geographically responsible Flight Standards District Office -(insert name of office)- for any revision to these operating limitations."

Limitation Number (34) , will be replaced with the following:

"All proficiency flights will be conducted in airspace with an operational radius of 600 nautical miles form the airport where the aircraft is based. (This radius can be reduced if requested by the operator). Proficiency flights are limited to a non-stop flight that begins and ends at the airport where the aircraft is based. One alternate airport may be selected for each flight, within the operational radius of the airport where the aircraft is based. Other operations for organized formation flying, proficiency flying, or pilot checkout in conjunction with specific events will have to be listed in the applicants program letter or notification will be sent to the cognizant FSDO, 48 hours prior to the date of the actual event.

Limitation Number (53), will be replaced with the following:

:Flights to airports other than an alternate airport and the airport where the aircraft is based is allowed for maintenance of the aircraft. (The "maintenance " as defined in 14 CFR part 1.1, is the reference for the purpose of these flights.) Prior to the flight, the operator must notify and receive permission from the geographically responsible FSDO where the maintenance will take place, and notify the FSDO with the geographic responsibility where the aircraft is based of the intended maintenance flight. The maintenance performed in connection with the flight, must be recorded in the aircraft records in accordance with 14 CFR part 43."

If there are any questions regarding this memorandum, please contact the Production and Airworthiness Certification Division, AIR-200 at (202)267-8361.

Frank Paskiewicz

File: 8100-1D

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AIR-220:G. McNeill:gwm:(202) 267-8152:6/12/97