FAA May Tighten Future VLJ Requirements

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=busav&id=news/awx/2010/04/19/awx_04_19_2010_p0-220828.xml

The FAR Part 21.35 function and reliability flight testing would include turbine-powered airplanes with maximum takeoff weights of 6,000 lb. or less under a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) released by FAA on April 16.

Currently, FAR Part 23 function and reliability testing only applies to new aircraft with higher gross takeoff weights. The NPRM might be called the Eclipse 500 rule because one of FAA's prime motivations, according to the document, was the organization's recent type certification process associated with the Eclipse 500.