The FAA has updated guidance provided to field inspectors on how to determine the recommended form of approval for aircraft alterations. Maintenance and modification companies and avionics installers often encounter problems when seeking agreement with the FAA on what qualifies for field approval by FAA inspectors and what needs to go through the more time-consuming STC or DER data approval process. The change to FAA Order 8900.1 includes a “major alterations job aid,” complete with a helpful list of typical major alterations and the recommended form of approval. The job aid is available in Volume Four, Chapter Nine, Section One of FAA Order 8900.1.