You do need an exception if the entire test does n

You do need an exception if the entire test does not go perfectly through no fault of your own. In this case a slide failure that has been proven not to be the fault of Baltia. IMO that is the reason the FAA put out the last AC at just this time. They are preparing to explain that the PASS they give Baltia is for their performance regardless of a vendors failure to pack a slide properly.

OLD & WISE