Touting changes that could “revolutionize” flight testing for experimental/amateur-built aircraft, the Experimental Aircraft Association says that the FAA recent draft guidance on Phase I flight testing could change from a pure hours-based system (25 or 40 hours for most homebuilts) to a task-based system that could cut flight hours and improve the quality of the typically builder-completed Phase I testing. All amateur-built aircraft are expected to undergo an initial flight-test period, called Phase I, that has serious restrictions on the nature of the flights.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/faa-previews-task-based-testing-for-experimentals