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Great article. The Lancair Owners and Builders Organization has looked hard at EA-B safety in the Lancair community, including a deep dive into the NTSB database. That effort proved what should have been obvious to everyone, which is that flying in an untested, unproven, experimental aircraft with which you are not already deeply familiar is a very hazardous undertaking. Armed with that data, LOBO petitioned the FAA for a rule change regarding who may be aboard during Phase I flight test for newly minted EA-B aircraft. The result is AC 90-116, Additional Pilot Program (APP) for Phase I Flight Test.

If appropriately documented on the aircraft’s Special Airworthiness Certificate, the APP allows the owner of a new EA-B aircraft to have an appropriately rated and experienced pilot aboard during those critical first few hours.