Updated Nimbl Guide Pinpoints Relevant Part 91 LOAs

An updated guide from business aviation manual and safety management system developer Nimbl aims to help Part 91 operators quickly sort out which FAA letters of authorization (LOAs) apply to their operations, cutting the time spent deciphering agency requirements. Released yesterday, the free Part 91 LOA Guide charts 12 LOAs across five operating areas, from domestic U.S. flights to global operations. It also lists typical FAA turnaround times for most of them.

The chart marks LOAs, area by area, as recommended, required if the operator uses the related capability, or required outright. Accordinfgt to the guide, LOAs for datalink communications and oceanic and remote operations typically take one to three months, while those for RVSM and minimum equipment lists clear in three to four weeks. Nimbl emphasized that its estimated times are based on observations and not guarantees.

Nimbl suggests that operators apply for every LOA covering operations their aircraft can perform. It also recommends that buyers file whatever applications they can during the final stages of an aircraft purchase to be ready to fly upon delivery.

The guide follows a Nimbl webinar in April covering the FAA’s streamlined LOA process, which took effect in 2023 and lets Part 91 operators apply for multiple LOAs in a single application.