Aircraft

FAA Lifts Some Restrictions on Experimental Aircraft

Agency will eliminate some ‘red tape’ for pilots in the process.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 03:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By: Steve Spears

Multiple aircraft sit parked at EAA AirVenture in 2025 at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.[Credit: Shutterstock/Thierry Weber]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA has implemented an immediate policy change, mandated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, to streamline the authorization process for experienced pilots to operate multiple experimental aircraft.
Pilots holding three existing high-performance experimental aircraft authorizations can now operate additional experimental aircraft by completing specific ground and flight training, authorized by a flight instructor's logbook endorsement, thereby eliminating the previous practical test requirement.
To utilize this new program, pilots must first apply for an amended airworthiness certificate that includes an operating limitation allowing for the new logbook endorsement.

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The FAA announced an immediate policy change that allows experienced pilots to operate multiple experimental aircraft with less documentation and procedures.

Effective immediately, pilots who hold three Authorized Experimental Aircraft (AEA) authorizations in high-performance piston aircraft can operate additional experimental aircraft by completing only aircraft-specific ground and flight training, without the previously required practical test.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan is Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group, overseeing a portfolio that includes FLYING, AirlineGeeks, AVweb, Plane + Pilot, KITPLANES, and AircraftForSale.com. He founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has more than a decade of experience across aviation media, airport operations, airline workforce planning, and Part 135 regulatory compliance. His experience ranges from time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing aviation industry executives. Ryan holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and is an adjunct instructor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.