Following Up on FAA Restricted Category Listening Session
September 16, 2025
On Sept. 10, ARSA Executive Director Sarah MacLeod participated in an on-site listening session regarding restricted category aircraft certification and operation. The full-day event produced discussion regarding agency oversight, civilian/military coordination, and information/data availability.
The following topics were covered during the meeting:
(1) Inconsistent and prolonged FAA certification timelines.
(2) Issues in sharing operational and safety data between military and civilian operators.
(3) Alignment between military maintenance standards and civilian airworthiness directives.
(4) Bureaucratic and administrative hurdles to certification.
(5) Feasibility of delegating conformity work.
MacLeod attended the meeting representing ARSA’s management firm, Obadal, Filler, MacLeod, & Klein, P.L.C. The law firm in January launched a survey gathering experience with certification and operation of restricted category aircraft in the United States. In order to assist with “meaningful discussion” (the agency’s goal) regarding the subject, ARSA encourages its members to continue using the survey or contacting the association with experience/questions/concerns related to restricted category certification and/or operation.
Gather industry experience will assist in pushing certificate holders to stand up for compliance with the plain language of the the applicable regulations, rather than responding to preferences of the agency. All interested parties are encouraged to complete the survey. Collected information will be referred to the appropriate FAA and industry contacts throughout the engagement.
To participate in the survey, go to:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FAA_RC_ListeningSession
Respondents may voluntarily provide contact information that will be used only for clarification on any responses provided. Although providing contact information will not create an attorney client relationship with the law firm, the information provided will not be released without a demand from a court of competent jurisdiction.
For more information or questions about the survey, contact ofmk@potomac-law.com.
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