Notice2025-08167
Experimental Aircraft “All Makes and Models” Program
Primary source
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Published
May 9, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This notice informs operators of certain experimental aircraft of a new program that enables certain pilots to receive authorization to act as pilot in command (PIC) of certain experimental aircraft by completing aircraft-specific ground and flight training without taking a practical test. The FAA implements this program in accordance with section 806 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. While the Experimental Aircraft All Makes and Models Program is effective upon the date of this notice, FAA seeks comments on the implementing guidance for future consideration.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 89 (Friday, May 9, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 89 (Friday, May 9, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19778-19779]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08167]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No.: FAA-2025-0906]
Experimental Aircraft ``All Makes and Models'' Program
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: This notice informs operators of certain experimental aircraft
of a new program that enables certain pilots to receive authorization
to act as pilot in command (PIC) of certain experimental aircraft by
completing aircraft-specific ground and flight training without taking
a practical test. The FAA implements this program in accordance with
section 806 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. While the
Experimental Aircraft All Makes and Models Program is effective upon
the date of this notice, FAA seeks comments on the implementing
guidance for future consideration.
DATES: Comments on this petition must identify the petition docket
number and must be received on or before June 9, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2025-0906
using any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and
follow the online instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West Building
Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the
commenter provides, to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, as described in the
system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
<a href="https://www.dot.gov/privacy">https://www.dot.gov/privacy</a>.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
[[Page 19779]]
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> at any time. Follow the online instructions
for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140
of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Menzimer at (202) 267-1100,
Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Some experimental aircraft operating limitations require a pilot to
hold an authorization to act as PIC; a type rating, an Authorized
Experimental Aircraft (AEA) authorization (formerly called a letter of
authorization (LOA)), or a temporary LOA.\1\ AEAs can be obtained by
completing specialized training and testing, similar to that required
to obtain a type rating, which authorizes a pilot to act as PIC of a
specific make and model experimental aircraft. In section 806 of the
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Public Law (Pub. L.) 118-63), Congress
mandated that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) take such
action as may be necessary to authorize pilots who hold three AEAs in
high-performance single- or multi-engine piston aircraft to act as PIC
of these aircraft by completing aircraft specific ground and flight
training, only, without completing a practical test in the subsequent
aircraft. FAA will facilitate this through FAA Order 8900.1; therefore,
this publication serves as notice that volume 5, chapter 9, section 7
of FAA Order 8900.1 now sets forth the parameters and related
information pertaining to the Experimental Aircraft ``All Makes and
Models'' Program.
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\1\ See Operation Limitation #8 of FAA Order 8130.2K.
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Prior policy allowed for an ``All Makes and Models'' authorization
and subsequent AEAs to be issued on a person's pilot certificate after
submitting an FAA Form 8710-1, Airman Certificate and/or Rating
Application, and documentation of the completed training requirements
to the FAA. However, to reduce the burden and increase efficiency for
the regulated community, and to reduce costs to the FAA, pilots who
hold three AEAs on their pilot certificate and seek to operate
additional experimental aircraft in accordance with this program will
no longer send an application or documentation to the FAA. Additional
authorizations issued in accordance with this program will no longer be
listed on the pilot certificate.
Instead, authorizations added in accordance with this program will
be issued in the form of a logbook endorsement by the authorized
instructor who provided the training.
Pilots who do not yet hold the requisite three AEAs on their pilot
certificate will continue to reference the process outlined in FAA
Order 8900.1, volume 5, chapter 9, section 2, Airman Qualification
Requirements for Aircraft for Which the Operating Limitations Require
an FAA-Issued Authorization to Act as Pilot in Command, to obtain an
AEA. Likewise, pilots may continue to add additional AEAs in accordance
with that process and are not required to utilize this new program.
Relatedly, FAA is simultaneously updating the aforementioned
operating limitation to add an endorsement as a means of compliance to
meet the operating limitation, as appropriate. In other words,
currently, the operating limitation explicitly recognizes the AEA as a
pilot authorization; FAA simultaneously revises the operating
limitation through a deviation memo to FAA Order 8130.2K to include an
endorsement as a pilot authorization. FAA notes that because
previously-issued airworthiness certificate operating limitations
specify that pilots must hold a model-specific type rating, AEA, or
temporary LOA, persons seeking to utilize this new program (i.e.,
procure the aforementioned endorsement) must first apply for an amended
airworthiness certificate with an operating limitation that allows for
such endorsement.\2\
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\2\ Persons seeking an amended airworthiness certificate may
reach out to their local Flight Standards District Office,
Certificate Management Section, or Designee, as appropriate. Issuers
will utilize FAA Order 8130.2, Airworthiness Certification of
Aircraft, for issuance of an amended airworthiness certificate.
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Summary of Program
As specified in volume 5, chapter 9, section 7 of FAA Order 8900.1,
for authorizations issued in accordance with this program, the trainee
must:
<bullet> Hold at least three AEAs in high-performance single-engine
piston or high-performance multi-engine piston aircraft (as appropriate
to the endorsement sought).
<bullet> Receive the same ground and flight training required to
obtain an AEA from an authorized instructor (see volume 5, chapter 9,
section 2, subparagraph 5-1582B, Training Requirements).
<bullet> Receive a logbook endorsement from the authorized
instructor who provided the training stating the following: ``I certify
that [John Doe, certificate number] holds at least three [high-
performance single-engine piston or high-performance multi-engine
piston (instructors must choose the option appropriate to the
endorsement sought)] Authorized Experimental Aircraft (AEA)
authorizations, has received the required ground and flight training,
and is proficient to act as PIC of [make/model] experimental
aircraft.''
Pilots seeking an endorsement in accordance with this program must
hold an instrument rating. If the aircraft used for the training is not
equipped such that the applicant can demonstrate instrument skills, the
instructor will place a limitation on the endorsement noting ``VFR
ONLY.''
Inviting Comments
The FAA is requesting comments on the new program described herein.
A copy of the associated guidance is being posted for review to Docket
No.: FAA-2025-0906. The new program may be revised based on comments
received.
Issued in Washington, DC.
Robert M. Ruiz,
Deputy Executive Director, Flight Standards Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-08167 Filed 5-8-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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