Program Letter time again

On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 2:08:37 PM UTC-5, Frank Whiteley wrote:

I encountered several post-moratorium glider pilots that weren't submitting program letters.

That would be understandable if "post-moratorium glider pilots = "postmortem glider pilots".

If this "moratorium event" is still relevant, please explain.

On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 3:39:54 PM UTC-7, son_of_flubber wrote:
On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 2:08:37 PM UTC-5, Frank Whiteley wrote:



I encountered several post-moratorium glider pilots that weren't submitting program letters.



That would be understandable if "post-moratorium glider pilots = "postmortem glider pilots".



If this "moratorium event" is still relevant, please explain.

That's part of the point, things changed with the publication of the G version. It was much revised to LSA. Any experimental racing and/or exhibition glider operating limitations dating before 2011 will likely contain verbage derived from the version in effect when the operating limitations for that glider were created. The pre- and post- moratorium dates were significant at one point as were proficiency flight/areas. Depending on how they are written for a particular aircraft may drive whether an owner wants a new set. However, as others have pointed out, the program letter is part of the airworthiness certificate, as are the operating limitations and must be carried on board. However, until the G version was published, there was no requirement for an annual program letter for pre-moratorium gliders and owners were free to operate without them. 3-4 years ago, there was discussion that the FAA would have 100 percent hands-on checks of all experimental aircraft. No idea where that manpower was coming from, but it was about the time the re-registration fees started. As before, those doing condition inspections may or may not concern themselves with program letters, thus it's a pilot issue. I don't recall discussion of the change. FAA Order 8130.2Gch2 is freely downloadable from faa.gov. Those involved with experiment racing/exhibition group I gliders should have a copy. Section 10 is most relevant, but other parts apply.