G-CPTN
I was on a board with NTSB and AAIB in Washington where I proposed that the Part 27 helicopter weight cap exclude the weight for enhanced safety and data recording (recorders, bird strike,etc) as long as performance is met and the souls on board was within Part 27. It was rejected. The AAIB rep even lamented the lack of recorders on lights but voted no.
Going from 7000 to 7001 lbs causes many new design rules to kick in which, while great, should not prohibit a free pass on weight increases above Part 27 caused by safety related improvements.
Maybe that earlier decision will now be revisited.