Can anyone shed some light on this FAR and associated logbook endorsement posted below? Newby here just getting started in the Canard world. Is this saying that I could get an additional class added to my cert if I had 5 hours in my Varieze between September 1, 2004 and August 31, 2005?? What is significant about those dates? Google doesn't provide any answers.
FAR 61.63 Additional aircraft ratings (other than for ratings at the airline transport pilot certification level).
a. General. For an additional aircraft rating on a pilot certificate, other than for an airline transport pilot certificate, a person must meet the requirements of this section appropriate to the additional aircraft rating sought.
(h) Aircraft category and class rating for the operation of aircraft with an experimental certificate. A person holding a recreational, private, or commercial pilot certificate may apply for a category and class rating limited to a specific make and model of experimental aircraft, provided -
(1) The person logged 5 hours flight time while acting as pilot in command in the same category, class, make, and model of aircraft.
(2) The person received a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who determined the pilot's proficiency to act as pilot in command of the same category, class, make, and model of aircraft.
(3) The flight time specified under paragraph (h)(1) of this section was logged between September 1, 2004 and August 31, 2005.
Endorsement: Experimental aircraft onlyadditional aircraft category or class rating (other than ATP): § 61.63(h). I certify that (First name, MI, Last name), (grade of pilot certificate), (certificate number), as required by § 61.63(h) is proficient to act as PIC in a (category, class, make, and model) of experimental aircraft and has logged at least 5 hours flight time logged between September 1, 2004, and August 31, 2005, while acting as PIC in (name the aircraft category/class rating and make and model) that has been issued an experimental certificate.