An SU-27 in civilian hands would be operated per the FAA Order 8130.2F, Airworthiness Certification of Aircraft and Related Products, Section 10, "Certification and Operation of Aircraft under the Experimental Purpose(s) of Exhibition and Air Racing". Change 4 of the Order was issued 9/30/30/2009.
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_G...625765900790f72/$FILE/Order 8130.2F chg 4.pdf
The FAA has designate four "Groups" (I, II, III, IV) of experimental aircraft based on their performance, operation, or other distinquishing characteristics. An SU-27 is considered a "Group II" turbine powered aircraft (TPA).
Here some examples (not all inclusive) of the information and "limitations" contained therein applicable to TPA:
155. GENERAL. Under the provisions of § 21.191(d), exhibition aircraft are defined as aircraft that exhibit the aircraft’s flight capabilities, performance, or unusual characteristics at airshows, for motion picture, television, and similar productions, and for the maintenance of exhibition flight proficiency, including (for persons exhibiting aircraft) flying to and from such airshows and productions. Under the provisions of § 21.191(e), air racing aircraft are defined as aircraft that participate in air races, including (for such participants) practicing for such air races and flying to and from racing events.
a. Exhibition. Operating an aircraft to demonstrate its flight characteristics or capabilities in connection with sales promotions for the aircraft is not considered to be an eligible operational purpose under the exhibition category. A certificate for experimental exhibition must only be issued when an aircraft is to be used for valid exhibition purposes. Included in those purposes are organized airshows, organized air races, organized fly-in activities, organized exhibitions, youth education events, shopping mall/school/similar static displays, organized aerobatic competition, sail plane fly-ins or competitive races or meets, and movie or television productions. The duration of an airworthiness certificate for exhibition is unlimited.
Group II, Turbine-Powered Aircraft
Proficiency Area. All proficiency flights will be conducted in airspace within an operational radius of 600 nautical miles from the airport where the aircraft is based. Proficiency flights will be limited to a nonstop flight that begins and ends at the home base airport, with sufficient fuel reserve to meet the applicable operating rules of part 91. Operators who choose to fly to another airport within the assigned proficiency area must notify their geographically responsible FSDO prior to each proficiency flight away from their home base airport (see note at the end of paragraph 136 of this order):
NOTE: Operation of all group I, II, III, and IV aircraft is restricted to airports that are within airspace classes C, D, E, or G, except in the case of a declared emergency or authorized operations under an airshow waiver. Before issuing operating limitations for the aircraft, the FAA will coordinate approach and departure corridors with the FSDO operations unit and the air traffic control facility that has the geographic responsibility for the airport at which the aircraft will be based or operations conducted. In addition, the applicant will provide a
highlighted aeronautical map or chart depicting the proposed operational area, including a list of the proposed alternate airports. The radius may not exceed the limits authorized for the applicable aircraft group. The map/chart is part of the aircraft operating limitations and must be carried aboard the aircraft when operating.
(1) Obtain from the applicant a program letter in accordance with § 21.193(a), setting forth the purpose(s) for which the aircraft will be used. The program letter must be specific as to the intended use under the purpose requested, including names, dates, and locations of airshows, air races, or exhibition activities that will be attended. In the case of a movie or television production, the date(s) and location(s) of these productions must be provided. The applicant’s program letter should state a reasonable schedule of events to be attended, but should not list events that would obviously be impossible to attend, for example, listing all airshows scheduled in the United States for the upcoming year. Applicants should be advised that the program letter is subject to review by the FAA and that the owner/operator must notify the local FSDO by letter or fax of any amendments to the proposed schedule prior to that flight.
(10) No person may be carried in this aircraft during the exhibition of the aircraft’s flight capabilities, performance, or unusual characteristics at airshows, or for motion picture, television, or similar productions, unless essential for the purpose of the flight. Passengers may be carried during flights to and from any event outlined in the program letter or during proficiency flying, limited to the design seating capacity of the aircraft.
(Applicability: All)
(24) The pilot in command of this aircraft must hold an appropriate category/class rating. If required for the type of aircraft to be flown, the pilot in command also must hold either an appropriate type rating or a letter of authorization issued by an FAA Flight Standards Operations Inspector.
(Applicability: Group II; group III 800 horsepower and above, or more than 12,500 pounds; group IV turbojet, or more than 12,500 pounds)
(32) All proficiency flights will be conducted in airspace with an operational radius of 600 nautical miles from the airport where the aircraft is based. This radius can be reduced if requested by the operator. Proficiency flights are limited to a nonstop flight that begins and ends at the airport where the aircraft is based. One alternate airport may be selected for each flight, within the operational radius of the airport where the aircraft is based. Operations outside this radius for organized formation flying, proficiency flying, or pilot checkout in conjunction with specific events must be listed in the applicant’s program letter or the operator must notify the cognizant FSDO 48 hours before the date of the actual event.
(Applicability: Group II)
156. FORMER MILITARY AIRCRAFT.
a. Many of the aircraft that are presented for airworthiness certification for the purpose(s) of exhibition or air racing are former military aircraft, both U.S. and non-U.S. The FAA acknowledges the significant role military aircraft have played in our aviation heritage and the importance of preserving their legacy for future generations. The exhibition of former military aircraft at aviation events for demonstration and display provides the public a rare view into our aviation past. Therefore, it is the policy of the FAA to permit the operation of surplus military aircraft for civilian use, consistent with the need to safeguard the general public.
NOTE: It should not be interpreted that all military aircraft require experimental airworthiness certificates. Some models have valid TCs and could be eligible for a standard airworthiness certificate.
b. Surplus military aircraft have historically operated in the United States for R&D, air racing, and exhibition purposes in the experimental category. It is the policy of the FAA that eligible aircraft will be certificated in the experimental category when operated for the special purposes of exhibition and/or air racing.
c. To ensure the safe operation of these aircraft and minimize adverse environmental impact, the FAA has established appropriate and reasonable operating limitations. Operating limitations developed jointly by the Aircraft Certification Service and Flight Standards Service are contained in paragraphs 161 and 166 of this order.
d. The ability of civilian operators to maintain and operate these aircraft depends on their background and experience, training and facilities, availability of technical manuals and design information, and the complexity of the aircraft involved. To this end, and to the maximum extent feasible, it is the policy of the FAA to recognize the most complete sources of maintenance and training and to encourage owners, operators, and flightcrew members to use these sources and successfully complete required training from recognized training organizations. Aircraft inspection guidelines and qualification standards for flightcrew members have been developed by the Flight Standards Service and are contained in FAA Order 8300.10, Airworthiness Inspector’s Handbook and Order 8700.1.
e. Applicants for certification of former military TPA must be advised that these aircraft were designed and manufactured without the acoustical treatment provided for current commercial and business TPA. They also must be advised of industry-developed procedures and guidelines designed to minimize the impact such aircraft impose at airports and the surrounding communities. Aircraft operators must accept the responsibility for operating their aircraft in such a manner as to reduce the noise impact to the lowest practicable level. EAA has developed operating procedures and a recommended program for reducing the noise impact of TPA. The EAA’s recommended procedures are contained in its Jet Operations Manual. The FAA must advise persons considering operating such aircraft to become familiar with and use the procedures outlined in the EAA’s Jet Operations Manual or other procedures acceptable to the Administrator.
There are other requirements in the Order that affect operators of aircraft as "experimental/exhibition" but I don't consider them to be that onerous personally.
I operate a Group III, Piston Powered Warbird of less than 800 horsepower. Through the efforts of EAA's Warbirds of America division and their negotiations with the FAA I have been able to obtain an exemption from the Proficiency Area radius limitation, which was originally 300nm. Now there is no distance limitation for proficiency flights in my aircraft. I was issued a revised Operating Limitations by the local FSDO which had the applicable paragraph deleted and a new Special Airworthiness Certificate to display in the aircraft. This effectively allows me to fly anywhere in the US without prior notification to the local FSDO. Before I had to notify the local FSDO if I was going to go beyond the 300nm radius, but it was simply that, a notification, not a request for permission, nor was the FSDO required to give their permission or even acknowledge receipt of the notification.
I still have the requirement to issue a "Program Letter" each year listing the aviation related events I intend to participate in, whether I actually participate or not. As with the notification to exceed the Proficiency Area limitations, the local FSDO is not required to give permission to attend the listed events or acknowldege of receipt of the Letter. This Letter can be updated at any time with a fax or email of event additions and deletions, even 5 minutes before departure, if necessary. This runs somewhat at odds to the Proficiency Area exemption I have, but what was explained to me was the rulemaking process which created the exemption was focused on relaxing the Proficiency Area requirements and did not address the Program Letter requirements. So I'll have to wait for that to be clarified in the future.
The only practical "restrictions" I face operating my plane as "experimental/exhibition" is I can't haul people or property for hire and most charitable flight organizations don't allow them for ambulatory patient flights. I'm also prohibited from landing at airports located within Class B airspace unless under an FAA issued waiver. I can, however, since my airplane is suitably equipped, fly IFR with the appropriate ATC clearance anywhere including through Class B airspace , another odd contradiction, imho.
If I had the $$$ to afford an SU-27 I'd jump at the opportunity.
