Fred.
The FAA does not grant approval nor deny approval for aerobatics in the
airplane that you have built. When you complete the airplane and its ready for
your first flight, the builder has to either have a DAR, or an FAA
representative inspect your aircraft. He will also want to look at the
builders construction log and also the construction manual to see if you have
followed the kit manufactures basic construction. Once he has satisfied to
himself that the airplane is airworthy he will then issue an AIRWORTHNESS
CERTIFICATE and also The OPERATING LIMITATIONS FOR THAT ONE AIRPLANE. He will
then have you make a statement in the log book that you have inspected the
aircraft and it is safe for flight. At this point you are thru with the FAA.
When you complete your 40 hr.. test period. you then have to make another
entry in the log book attesting to the fact you have flown off the
restriction's and the aircraft is safe for flight. You do not have to make any
further contact with the FAA.
If you want to do aerobatics in your airplane and stay legal, then during
the 40 hr.. test period you must do each maneuver that you will later fly
after the test period, once again you must make logbook entry's attesting
that the maneuvers were performed, and that the airplane is safe to fly these
maneuvers. You, the builder is the one who will certify that the airplane is
aerobatic.
This is the way the FAA safety inspector in Orlando handled my case.
Regards
Jim Brown
Fred Fillinger wrote:
> Important details also, and I think this is an area that requires
> detailed discussion with FAA first. Even the FAA should know that a
> Pitts is an aerobatic airplane, but where a kitplane has a POH that
> cites utility category max G's, there might be a problem? Mere lack
> of inverted systems would seem to deny approval, as safe operation
> depends upon the pilot's ability to maintain positive G's throughout
> common maneuvers. Has there been such approval for "non-acro"
> kitplanes out there?
>
> A "general rule" may apply. One of our EAA'ers restored a New
> Standard D-31, the only one of its kind in existence, and tells the
> story of response to an inquiry to FAA. "I don't give a #%*!@ what
> you heard. This is my office, and that's the way things are!"
>
> Regards,
> Fred F.
>
> Augustene Brown wrote:
> >
> > I would like to go a little further as it relates to the FAA rules about
> > aerobatic aircraft.
> >
> > Once you are in the 40 hour flight test period, if you DO NOT perform any
> > aerobatics, in the test period then the a/c is NOT CERTIFIED FOR
> > AEROBATICS, AS PER THE OPERATING LIMITATIONS FOR THE AIRPLANE.
> >
> > If during the 40 hour test period you perform aerobatics, you must list
> > each maneuver performed, in the aircraft log book. After the test period
> > of 40 hours the aircraft is then CERTIFIED to perform the Aerobatic
> > Maneuvers that are listed in the log book as per the operating
> > limitations for that aircraft.
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