So DARs are also responsible to ensure the the EAB aircraft “complies with acceptable aeronautical standards and practices.” I always thought that applied more to the fabrication of the aircraft than the design of it.

Is it really in a DAR’s wheelhouse to evaluate the design? For example, a builder installs an autopilot.....Did the applicant establish any AP operating limits? If no, is it fair game to ask the applicant for the analysis demonstrating that the servo’s authority can not create a structural overload in the event of an autopilot hard over throughout the aircraft’s operating envelope? Based on comments in the thread then AW could be denied!?!?!