The FAA imposes more burdens on certificated aircraft than on experimental amateur-built (E-AB) ones. Certificated planes require an IA to inspect them every 12 months, must use FAA-approved parts, and major alterations require an STC or other FAA-approved data and IA blessing. Is the safety benefit of certificated aircraft worth the additional regulatory burden? This forum compares the accident statistics of certificated and E-AB airplanes and arrives at some surprising conclusions. Session type: Forum — Skyfarer is not affiliated with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) or EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. This session is listed for informational purposes from the official AirVenture 2026 schedule. Times and locations can change during the event — verify on the official session page: https://events.rdmobile.com/Sessions/Details/3539901