EAA Joins Aviation Groups Seeking Further FAA COVID Relief

September 10, 2020 – EAA was one of seven organizations who requested that the FAA to grant pilots and flight instructors further extensions on meeting compliance deadlines pushed back by a SFAR published earlier this year.

The joint effort, which included a letter to the Agency signed by the collaborating organizations, asked for continuing extensions to several currency items. Of particular relevance to EAA members was a request to continue medical extensions, noting difficulties in scheduling not just AMEs, but treating specialists during the pandemic.

The letter also reflected EAA's concern that the restriction on FAA travel is causing delays or stoppages in simulator and aircraft currency checks, which is currently impacting operators of certain experimental exhibition aircraft and could soon impact other essential services performed by FAA staff.

"While the policy coming out of the FAA headquarters is that the FAA remains open and able to conduct business, the reality is much different," the letter stated. "FSDO managers have expanded authority to exercise risk assessment and mitigation in the execution of duties. Understandably, the result is an extremely limited ability of inspectors to travel in the areas of the country most impacted by COVID-19."

EAA will continue to monitor all advocacy issues related to the pandemic.