Originally Posted by
hetfield
Another point is the terminus "operating"....
Let's say you have an aircraft which may take off with slats only. After take off you find slats are not willing to retract. For my understanding it's legal to climb above 20k feet observing Vfe (250kts) and continue to destination (short sector), fuel permitting, cause you don't "operate" = move the flaps/slats.
Nope.
The "operating" refers to operating of the aircraft - as in Vm
o for example.
Getting the flaps out at 19,999ft and then happily flying around at 30,000ft+ is (a) a false interpretation of the manual; and (b) asking for trouble.