The FAA has reopened the comment period on proposed changes to the so-called 51-percent rule governing amateur-built aircraft, giving pilots and owners until Dec. 15 to file their comments. AOPA previously filed its own comments on the plan, asking the FAA to enforce existing policies rather than creating new rules that could negatively affect homebuilders.
AOPA argued that proposed changes in the rules would add unnecessary complexity and place an unreasonable burden on the individual amateur builder. Under current rules, amateur builders must complete the majority of the work on their aircraft, a requirement known as the 51-percent rule. The FAA has proposed changing the rule to specify that amateur builders must complete at least 20 percent of the assembly and 20 percent of the fabrication of the aircraft, with the remaining 11 percent falling into either category at the builder’s discretion.
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