Dave S wrote in message ink.net...
Is such a waiver 1) common? 2) appropriate?

As I understand it, they are common at some FSDOs. For a
well-proven design which is progressing well in its flight
testing, it doesn't seem like a big issue to let the plane
fly over some farmland to visit another mechanic or qualified
pilot or some such.

I mean.. take a week of vacation and go burn some gas!!

Not being Dave, I can't comment on the constraints of his
personal situation.

I will, however, congratulate you on having some combination
of 1) ample vacation time 2) understanding family and 3)
low-pressure job, which would not only allow you to take
your own advice, but keeps you from being able to see that
perhaps "one size doesn't fit all" here.

Cheers,
Sydney