No! With "replacement" the op lims must be exactly the same as the ones being replaced. To change any part, an amended is required.
That seems right to me.
It looks to me that we will indeed be asking for an amended airworthiness certificate, and that we are eligible for that because we seek a "change in the operating limitations for an aircraft with a special airworthiness certificate." 8130.2L 2-4.a(1)(C).
2-4 tells us that the procedure for doing this is set forth in 8130.2L 2-3,
except (a) "A complete review of aircraft records perparagraph 2-3.e of this order is not required. Review aircraft records as necessary in consideration of the reason for the amendment"
and (b) "A complete aircraft inspection per paragraph 2-3.f of thisorder is not required. Inspect the aircraft as necessary in consideration of the reason for the amendment." 2.4.a(2)(a)-(b). Moreover, "all operating limitations must be issued per the current version of this order; Appendix D, Table D-1." Note that the current version of Table D-1 has the language we (allegedly...) must have.
Okay, so now let's see what 2-3 requires, keeping in mind that we are already off the hook somewhat with respect to 2-3.e and 2-3.f.
The FAA helpfully gives us a flow chart for 2-3:
We're going to need an application: "A properly completed FAA Form 8130-6, Application for U.S. AirworthinessCertificate, is required to begin the process of issuing an airworthiness certificate." 2-3.b(1).
Then the person who is going to issue the certificate (I'll call that person the "issuer") has to "Access the Registry to verify that the aircraft is currently registered per 14 CFR Part 47." 2-3.c(1).
The issuer also must "check the Electronic Document RetrievalSystem (EDRS), the Civil Aviation Registry Electronic Service (CARES), or order a copy of the aircraft record to determine if the FAA previously issued a denial for this aircraft." 2-3c(2).
The issuer must then "Identify Potential Safety Hazards." 2-3(d). This means the issuer must "Review available information as necessary to familiarize you with the aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller models, and potential safety hazards. For example, review information as applicable and necessary to understand the manufacturer/builder; configuration; installed equipment; novel or unique features, characteristics, or systems; recent customer findings for new aircraft deliveries; recent quality escapes for new aircraft; histories of service difficulties, incidents, and accidents; ownership history of the aircraft; and potential for degradation from long-term storage. Designees should review the designee alert system for any pertinent information."
With any luck the "as necessary" language here will let the issuer largely skip this part if all they are doing is updating op lims to permit LSRI LSRM inspections, but who knows what a zealous bureaucrat might make of this command.
Now we're on to 2-3.e, so per 2-4 the issuer must only review aircraft records "as necessary."
Same with 2-3.f, per 2-4 the issuer must only inspect "as necessary"
Now the issuer must "Document all completed reviews and inspections on FAA Form 8100-1, per the instructions on the form. Verify that the applicant corrects all unsatisfactory findings and document those corrections on FAA Form 8100-1 before issuing an airworthiness certificate." 2-3.g.
Next the issuer should issue the certificate (assuming it's not being denied). But note that the issuer must first "
find the aircraft airworthy"!! Seems like a silly requirement for this type of amendment, but rules are rules, and I see no exemption. Who knows what, if anything, that will entail. Looks like they can send it to you by e-mail, so that's a plus.
Finally, the issuer has to review and forward certification files "per Appendix B." 2-3.j. Reviewing Appendix B makes me glad I don't do this for a living.
Easy peasy!!