# Presentation: 687383

## A GROWING TREND! 

- A GROWING TREND!
- _Experimental Aircraft Inspection_

## Experimental Airworthiness

**Jim Pratt, Aviation Safety Inspector, Manufacturing **
**Detroit Manufacturing Inspection Satellite Office**

## Experimental  Aircraft

**Now over 22,000 AIRCRAFT!**
**Include Amateur-built, exhibition, MIGS, Pitts, Air Racing, YAK aerobatic, Gliders,  etc.**
**FAA Order 8130.27 covers exhibition, and FAA order 8130.2C  covers Amateur-Built certification.**

## BackgroundTest Question: Who built the first experimental aircraft?

**WRONG !  Over 120 years off. **** Try 1783, in Paris, France.  Balloons were first!  :-)**
**FAR part 21.191 provides for the issuance of a Special Airworthiness Certificate**
**Experimental Category- several types allows of operation of amateur-built aircraft, exhibition, air racing, and  other operation**

## Does FAR part 43 Apply to Experimentals? 

NO.....and yes, and maybe,  sometimes. 

FAR 43.1(b) This part does not apply to any aircraft for which an experimental airworthiness certificate has been issued, unless a different kind of airworthiness certificate had previously been issued for that aircraft. 

***NO.....and yes, and maybe,  sometimes.****** ***
- FAR 43.1(b) This part does not apply to any aircraft for which an experimental airworthiness certificate has been issued, unless a different kind of airworthiness certificate had previously been issued for that aircraft.

## SO WHAT  AUTHORITY REGULATES 
EXPERIMENTAL MAINTANENCE? 

 FAR  91.319!  
(e) The Administrator may prescribe additional limitations that the Administrator considers necessary, including limitations on the persons that may be carried in the aircraft. 

***EXPERIMENTAL MAINTANENCE? ***
*** ******FAR  91.319!******  ***
- (e) The Administrator may prescribe additional limitations that the Administrator considers necessary, including limitations on the persons that may be carried in the aircraft.

## These are the Operating Limitations Found with the Pink Airworthiness certificate

**They nearly always require compliance with FAR part 91. **
**They may additionally require other inspection or test requirements, such as a FSDO Approved Inspection Program (Common to turbine powered aircraft)  and compliance with some sections of FAR part 43.**
**The Op Limitations will tell you what is required****. **

## Inspection  Criteria

- The Op Lims will tell you what type of inspection is required.
- Additionally, Part 91 requires other types of operational inspections.
- On small aircraft, typical op lims require yearly condition inspection of the aircraft to “Appendix D” of part 43. (like an Annual inspection)

## FAR part 91 required Inspections

**IFR Certification of Altimeter and Mode C every 24 months**
**Transponder tests required every 24 months**
**ELT annual inspection required**

## Who Can Do Maintenance?

**ANYONE!  No A & P certificate is required. The only requirement for maintenance is that it be recorded in the aircraft records.  **
**Caution: The yearly condition inspection is different.  Only an A & P, or a repairman MAY perform the yearly condition inspection!  See the Op Lims for details!**

## Some items to look at: Identification and Registration Marks

**FAR 21.182 requires registration to be displayed on the aircraft**
**FAR 45 states the requirements of the marks**
**ID plate must be fireproof & secured**
**Name on ID plate is that of the **_**Builder **_**with any serial number**
**ID plate must be located on exterior **

## “N” numbers must be displayed at a 			minimum height of  3 inches.
If max. cruise speed exceeds 180 knots, “N”         	numbers must be at least 12 inches
Look at placards.  Does it have enough***?
Look at instruments- is everything working?
THEN DO THE INSPECTION AS CALLED OUT IN THE OP LIMS!

**If max. cruise speed exceeds 180 knots, “N”         ****	****numbers must be at least 12 inches**
**Look at placards.  Does it have enough***?**
**Look at instruments- is everything working?**
**THEN DO THE INSPECTION AS CALLED OUT IN THE OP LIMS!**

## WARNING!  
AUTHORITY TO DO WORK 
OR TO DO INSPECTION  DOES NOT INCLUDE MAKING MAJOR CHANGES OR ALTERATIONS!

**AUTHORITY TO DO WORK **
**OR TO DO INSPECTION  DOES NOT INCLUDE MAKING MAJOR CHANGES OR ALTERATIONS!**

## What is a Major Change? 

**FAR part 21.93 applies. **
**FAR part 21.93: **“...Changes in type design are classified as minor and major. A "minor change" is one that has no appreciable effect on the weight, balance, structural strength, reliability, operational characteristics, or other characteristics affecting the airworthiness of the product.
- All other changes are "major changes" (except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section).

## What if you find a major change has been done prior to your inspection? 

**An FAA Airworthiness Inspector must review the change, and MAY issue new operating limitations for a new test flight period prior to flying after incorporating a major change. **
**The aircraft MAY need additional test flight time. **

## Successful Aircraft Inspection 

**Enter the inspection  into aircraft logs as per the Operating Limitations**
**Return the aircraft to service**
**There should always be complete logs**
**A log book for the aircraft, engine, and prop is preferred**

## A WORD ABOUT PLACARDS!

EXPERIMENTALS NEED THEM!

Passenger warning placard: 
“PASSENGER WARNING - THIS AIRCRAFT IS AMATEUR-BUILT AND DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR STANDARD AIRCRAFT”

- EXPERIMENTALS NEED THEM!
- Passenger warning placard:
- “**PASSENGER WARNING - THIS AIRCRAFT IS AMATEUR-BUILT AND DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR STANDARD AIRCRAFT”**

## OTHER PLACARDS

**All controls need placards**
**Operational Placards such as:**
**Fuel Type and Quantity**
**VFR/IFR restrictions**
**INOP equipment just like TC’d aircraft**
**Anything needed to fly. **

## JOHN DENVER CRASH

**Recommendations from NTSB include:**
- All essential systems be placardard as to proper operation
- Yearly condition inspection include examination of placards and markings
- Recommendation A-99-9 issued Feb 3 1999

## A WORD ABOUT AD’s

- YES- Airworthiness Directives (AD’s) DO apply to experimental aircraft, unless specifically exempted in the AD wording.
- Check ALL AD’s, especially those for engines, props, mags, radios and transponders

## Can AD’s be waived? 

- No.  If the AD has been issued, it is because an unsafe condition exists.
- The experimental airworthiness DOES NOT afford protection against having to comply with AD’s.
- Commonly you may find Transponder, Radio, Mag, Engine oil pump, or air filter AD’s not complied with.

## Repairman Certification

**The aircraft builder may be certificated as a repairman if the builder is the primary builder of the aircraft and can satisfactorily prove requisite skill in operation.**
** ****If an aircraft is sold, the new owner may ask you to inspect his/her aircraft.  Any A & P, or the holder of the original repairman’s certificate may do the yearly inspection, **_**IF **_**that is what the Operating Limitations say.**

## The Operating Limitations will specify the inspection needed

- There may be no maintenance manual to use, but there may be info available to help.  Check with the EAA.
- (Experimental Aircraft Association)
- http://www.eaa.org

## Thanks for Having Me!!!

- Visit my “Experimental Aircraft” Web Page at: http://www.provide.net/~pratt/ambuilt/faqhmblt.htm