Very interesting. Is there any relief for training situations? I know of a large outfit that for years practiced even flapless landings in the 600 and 601. (Maybe they were only touch and go's for flapless). So would factory pilots be unable to allow in aircraft training for a landing with less that full flap?
I realize most training is accomplished in the sim now, but for years that was not the case.
Can anyone remember Canadair (bombardier) training pilots allowing less than full flap landings?
No, of course you can't fly outside the AFM limitations during training or for any reason other than a test pilot doing certification flights or to handle an emergency.
If you figure out some way to creatively second guess the manufacturer and invent your own techniques that are outside the recommended operating procedures but not directly exceeding any published limitations you will likely still be faulted for an accident if you have one. It won't matter that half the other operators are doing this. If your training center is teaching such practices they may be faulted as well.
Just because people may have done something in the past doesn't mean it's legal or safe, even if it was considered normal behavior at one time.
Lawyers love this kind of crap because it makes them rich...so don't do it.