Quote Originally Posted by WLIU View Post
The challenge is that the FAA does not have to make a case, they just leave everything as it is.

Concur fully. That is exactly what we want. No change.

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Gu...%20chg%203.pdf"

(10)During the flight testing phase, no person may be carried in this aircraft during flight
unless that person is essential to the purpose of the flight.

As it is now, the FAA does not define "essential to the purpose of the flight" which by default means it is up to the aircraft manufacturer to delineate minimum crew for a particular flight depending on the purpose of that flight - which is why the limitations state that! Aircraft manufacturer, the entity with the best knowledge of the experimental one-off unique aircraft and what is required to safely operate it during the particular flight within the test phase. Not all flights forever, not yet, the test phase isn't done; but the best knowledge of what is needed for the particular flight within the test period. WRITE UP A TEST PLAN and KEEP A COPY ON THE GROUND. The FAA does not require submission before the flight, nor require they approve each one before each flight. But if something goes wrong they will want to be able to cover themselves with paper showing it wasn't their fault. That's all that's going on here, folks. Don't make this more complicated than it has to be and DON'T give away what has worked for decades. If you haven't been using common sense to improve aviation safety, stop trying to hamstring those who have!