NoVanNav said "...can really be considered new airframes..."
ermmm....NO!
I don't know how many times you've bought a 50,000-mile car and considered it "new", but I've never.
These are OLD airframes that have been repaired and reworked - not rebuilt and renovated - and also heavily modified from their original design structural and electrical loadings and other parameters. Technically they may not be much safer, structurally, from many over-modified ex-Nimrods.
The very best of designers can cock things up - look at any new aircraft design you like to see my point. The only difference here is that we hope that someone will sign something to state that they are fit for purpose and possibly airworthy too. And possibly the MAA may wait til after the designers say so?
Rant off.
Added bit:
"It is unlike anything that is done in the commercial aviation community. "
Ever wondered why?
Last edited by Rigga; 18th May 2013 at 21:19.