"I have no doubt that you can find someone at a FSDO that will agree with you. I also have no doubt that Darryl can find many more FAA Inspectors that will agree with him."

Airshow pilots, who deal with different FSDOs every weekend during the airshow season are fond of saying, "The FAA has about 90 FSDOs. Each independently owned and operated."

Some FSDO inspectors are great and know their stuff. Some are not so great and make stuff up all the time. Gotta watch out for that, as the tendency in the bureaucracy is to circle the wagons and back up erroneous directives and advice to avoid having to admit to a mistake.