Powrachute seeks FAA exemption as powered parachute standard lags

Powrachute LLC has petitioned the FAA for a temporary exemption that would let it keep certifying newly built aircraft. The company builds powered parachutes. The FAA published the petition for public comment on Wednesday; comments close Oct. 26.

Powrachute wants relief from five provisions of the Federal Aviation Regulations covering airworthiness certification and compliance with consensus standards. In its filing, the company says newly manufactured aircraft should be able to obtain and keep special airworthiness certificates in the light-sport category. It also asks that powered parachutes assembled from kits remain eligible for experimental airworthiness certificates under Section 21.191(k).

The request follows the FAA's Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification rule, which took effect July 24 and revised certification requirements for light-sport aircraft. Before that date the FAA had accepted new ASTM standards for airplanes, gliders, powered-lift aircraft and gyroplanes. Powered parachutes were left out.

Under the updated rules, new light-sport aircraft must generally meet Part 22 requirements through a means of compliance the FAA has accepted. Standards accepted earlier still apply to some existing aircraft and to qualifying kit-built aircraft. Powrachute seeks short-term relief while the FAA considers a corrected powered-parachute integration standard, ASTM F3837-26. The agency's standards list currently includes no powered-parachute integration standard, and the notice does not say what corrections are needed.

If granted, the exemption would cover the period before the FAA accepts the corrected standard. The filing does not say how long Powrachute expects that process to take.