Zalt,
The equivilent safety findings are details where we were allowed to propose alternate tests to get certification, the FAA gives them away grudgingly, but they really aren't shortfalls. For the bird strike ESF, we had to use the bird data that we got when we fired at the tail rotor and the drive shaft covers as proof that the 1.9 inch diameter (!) Titanium Pitch change links would not be damaged (!) by the bird, since the bird strike FAR requires tests, and allows only limited analysis as proof of compliance. We used the other test data on the more fragile and critical parts, and they allowed equivilent safety. We will shoot some birds at the pitch rods next spring to clean that up.
Chuck,
We are coming to Heli Expo, with rings on our fingers and bells on our toes, etc. You should see one of the prototypes flying over the Gulf in a few weeks too.