Maybe it is just local. From my ASI's description, it's essentially the document that you downloaded earlier that defines what can and can't be field approved, and those things that may be approved with engineering. The engineering approval, I was told, will take months to get, leaving the plane NOT AIRWORTHY while the paperwork goes through. We in Alaska will have something called a "Legacy" approval available, where a previously allowed mod may be done, but the airworthiness certificate gets a restriction saying that if the plane leaves Alaska, it must be returned to the original configuration as applies to that mod. That provision may help a plane fly while the engineering approval is happening.
I was warned that mechanics won't like the application process, either. Documentation of parts, procedures, references to drawings, etc. all will be required. Mechanics up here are scrambling to get approvals this month.
SB