Re-opening this old thread with a follow-up question. My operating limitations allow for aerobatic maneuvers, provided that each maneuver is tested in phase 1:
If aerobatic maneuvers are intended to be performed during phase II, those maneuvers must be satisfactorily accomplished and recorded in the maintenance records. Aerobatic flight testing is not complete until sufficient flight experience has been gained to establish that the aircraft is satisfactorily controllable during the aerobatic maneuver tested. Upon completion of flight testing, the owner/operator must make the following or similar entry in the maintenance records:
"I certify that the following aerobatic maneuvers have been test flown , and that the aircraft is controllable throughout the maneuvers' normal range of speeds. The flight-tested aerobatic maneuvers and speeds are _ _ _ _ at _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ at _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ at _ _ _ _ , and _ _ _ _ _ at _ _ _ _ ." During phase II operations, aerobatic maneuvers that were not documented per this limitation may not be performed. The owner may place the aircraft back into phase I for the sole purpose of adding additional aerobatic maneuvers to the aircraft authorized maneuvers. (45)
I may one day want to do aerobatics, but I do not have any aerobatic training currently, and I am nearing the end of my phase I testing. What exactly is involved in placing the aircraft back into phase I, if I decide to get trained and test aerobatic maneuvers much later on? Is this a letter to the FSDO? A logbook entry? Hire a DAR again?
There is a paragraph in my operating limitations that describe putting it back into phase I after incorporating a major change, but not about how to do it for testing aerobatic maneuvers:
14. After incorporating a major change as described in§ 21 .93, the aircraft owner is required to reestablish compliance with§ 91 .319(b) and notify the geographically responsible FSDO of the location of the proposed test area. The aircraft owner must obtain concurrence from the FSDO as to the suitability of the proposed test area. If the major change includes installing a different type of engine (reciprocating to turbine) or a change of a fixed pitch from or to a controllable propeller, the aircraft owner must fill out a revised FAA Form 8130-6 to update the aircraft's file in the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch, AFS-750. All operations must be conducted under day visual flight rules (VFR) conditions over a sparsely populated area in compliance with § 91 .305. The aircraft must remain in flight test for a minimum of 5 hours. The FSDO may require additional time (more than 5 hours) depending on the extent of the modification. Persons nonessential to the flight must not be carried. The aircraft owner must make an aircraft maintenance record entry describing the change before the test flight. Following satisfactory completion of the required number of flight hours in the flight test area, the pilot must certify in the records that the aircraft has been shown to comply with§ 91 .319(b}. Compliance with§ 91.319(b} must be recorded in the maintenance records with the following, or a similarly worded, statement: "I certify that the prescribed flight test hours have been completed and the aircraft is controllable throughout its normal range of speeds and throughout all maneuvers to be executed, has no hazardous characteristics or design features, and is safe for operation." (23)
