Presented to: By: Date: Federal Aviation Administration Certification of Amateur-Built Aircraft EAA...

Presented to:

By:

Date:

Federal AviationAdministration

Certification of Certification of Amateur-Built AircraftAmateur-Built Aircraft

EAA 983 (Granbury / Pecan Plantation)

Mike Montefusco

November 12, 2011

2Federal AviationAdministration

Certification of Amateur-Built AircraftApril 19, 2023

Certification and Operation

• Guidance concerning building, certification,

and operation of amateur-built aircraft

• How much fabrication and assembly the

builder must do

• The FAA’s role in the certification process

NOTE: FAA order 8130.2G covers Amateur-Built certification



Presentation Topics• FAA Certification Criteria• Design and Construction• Construction Kits• Aircraft Registration

– Identification & Registration Markings• Certification Inspection• 14 CFR 91-319• Certificate Inspection• Issuance of the Special Airworthiness Certificate• Operating Limitations

– Phase 1: Flight Test Program– Phase 2: Permanent Operating Limitations

• Showing Compliance with 14 CFR 91.319(b)• Repairman Certification• LODA: Letter of Deviation Authority• AC 90-109: Airman Transition to Experimental or Unfamiliar Airplanes• Aircraft Accident Summary and Risk Management



Background

• FAA provides for the issuance of a Special Airworthiness Certificates

• Experimental Category

• Allows for operation of amateur-built aircraft



Background continued

• 14 CFR Part 21.191(g) defines an amateur-built aircraft as – an aircraft,

• the major portion of which has been fabricated

• and assembled by persons • who undertook the construction and

assembly solely for their own • education or recreation

NOTE: AC 20-27, Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft



FAA Certification

• In the Past, – the FAA inspected the

aircraft at several stages, called Pre-Cover Inspections

Since 1983, FAA inspections are limited to ensure acceptable workmanship, methods, techniques, and practices are used.



FAA Certification

• In recent years, amateur builders have called upon persons having expertise, such as: • EAA Technical Counselors• FAA Designated Airworthiness

Representatives (DAR)–DAR can be used for technical guidance



Certification Criteria

• Builders should have knowledgeable persons perform pre-cover and other inspections

• Documentation of construction– i.e., Builders Log

• Any format• Include photographs of all steps

included in each of the listed

tasks in the Amateur-Builder

Aircraft Fabrication and

Assembly Checklist (2009)• Materials and techniques used in construction• Dates, locations, and detailed descriptions



• Consult with the EAA• Strongly recommend FAA-approved engines,

props, wheels, and components• Cockpit and Cabin design to include TSO’d

restraints

Design and Construction



Design and Construction

• Adequate fuel supply for engine• Suitable design for reduced fire hazard



Construction Kits

• Aircraft built from a kit may be eligible for

amateur-built certification, provided the major

portion has been fabricated and assembled by

the amateur builder

• FAA does not certify amateur-built aircraft kits

• FAA does not approve kit manufacturers



Construction Kits

• “Major Portion” is known as the

51% Rule



Construction Kits

• Caution: – Purchasers of partially completed kits should

obtain from the previous owner(s)• All fabrication records• All assembly records



• Advertisements tend to be somewhat vague and may be misleading as to whether a kit is eligible for amateur-built certification

• Not advisable to order a kit before verifying with the local FAA office if the aircraft, upon completion, may be eligible for certification

Construction Kits



Aircraft Registration

• 14 CFR Part 47 covers registration

• Owner must apply for “N” number

– Can request special “N” numbers

– Can reserve a special “N” number for one year



• If a kit was used, obtain bill of sale from kit manufacturer

• FAA Bill of Sale can be used

• Provide an Affidavit of Ownership for Amateur-Built Aircraft

Aircraft Registration



Identification & Registration Marks

• 14 CFR Part 21.182 requires registration

to be displayed on the aircraft

• 14 CFR Part 45 states requirements for

markings

• 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 maximum cruise speed

exceeds 180 knots,

“N” numbers must be at

least 12 inches




“N” numbers may not exceed 5 symbols following

the prefix “N”

– One to four numbers and one suffix

• i.e., (N1234B), or

– One to three numbers and two suffixes

• i.e., (N123BR)




Certification Inspection

• An FAA Airworthiness

Inspector or DAR will

conduct the certification

inspection

• Applicant needs to show

compliance with 14 CFR

Part 91.319



It’s your aircraft

• Builder needs to determine Airworthiness prior to certification

• Ensure there is a signed and dated statement from the owner in the aircraft records, that: – the aircraft has had an inspection performed in

accordance with 14 CFR part 43, app D, or– other approved programs, and – was found to be in a condition for safe operation



It’s your aircraft

• This statement will support the owner’s inspection and airworthiness statement on block III of FAA Form 8130-6



Lets take a look at what

14 CFR Part 91.319 states!



Para (a): No person may operate an aircraft that has an experimental certificate -

(1) For other than the purpose for which the certificate was issued; or

(2) For carrying persons or property for compensation or hire

14 CFR Part 91.319



Para (b): No person may operate an aircraft

that has an experimental certificate outside of

an area assigned by the Administrator until it is

shown that --

14 CFR Part 91.319



(1) The aircraft is controllable throughout its

normal range of speeds and throughout all the

maneuvers to be executed; and

14 CFR Part 91.319



(2) The aircraft has no hazardous operating

characteristics or design features

14 CFR Part 91.319



(c) Unless otherwise authorized by the

Administrator in special operating limitations,

no person may operate an aircraft that has an

experimental certificate over a densely

populated area or in a congested airway

14 CFR Part 91.319



The Administrator may issue special operating

limitations for particular aircraft:

•to permit takeoffs and landings to be conducted

over a densely populated area or in a congested

airway

•in accordance with terms and conditions specified

in the authorization in the interest of safety in air

commerce.

14 CFR Part 91.319



(d) Each person operating an aircraft that has an

experimental certificate shall -

(1) Advise each person carried of the

experimental nature of the aircraft; and

14 CFR Part 91.319



14 CFR Part 91.319

(2) Operate under VFR, day only,

unless otherwise specifically authorized

by the Administrator; and



(3) Notify the control tower of the

experimental nature of the

aircraft when operating the

aircraft into or out of airports with

operating control towers.

14 CFR Part 91.319



(h)(2)(i) The Administrator may prescribe

additional limitations that the Administrator

considers necessary, including limitations on

the persons that may be carried in the

aircraft.

14 CFR Part 91.319



Who is the Administrator???

14 CFR Part 91.319



Your friendly FSDO

Aviation Safety

Inspector!!!!

14 CFR Part 91.319



Certification InspectionCertification Inspection

Please contact your FAA

Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI)

at least 30 days in advance of

your requested inspection



The Inspection will include

– a review of 14 CFR Part 21.193

– a review of the builder’s log

– an examination of the completed

aircraft

Certification InspectionCertification Inspection



Successful Aircraft Inspection • Furnish a complete and ready to fly

aircraft except for cowlings, fairings and opened panels for inspection

• Aircraft Registration– (White Form 8050-3)

• Builder’s Log• Log books for the

– Aircraft– Engine– Prop



Installation of Placard “PASSENGER WARNING - THIS AIRCRAFT IS

AMATEUR-BUILT AND DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR

STANDARD AIRCRAFT”

Successful Aircraft Inspection



Issuance of theSpecial Airworthiness Certificate• A Special Airworthiness

Certificate will be issued

• Operating Limitations will be issued:

– Phase I & Phase II

– Appropriate Operating Limitations must be on-board aircraft while in operation



Experimental Amateur-Built Operating Limitations

• Operating limitations must be designed to fit the specific situation encountered.

• The ASI and/or designee must review each imposed operating limitation with the applicant to ensure that the operating limitations are understood by the applicant.



• Phase I - Flight Test Program

– Initially limited to assigned area

– At least 25 hours for (FAA-approved Type Certificated) engine/prop combination

– At least 40 hours if non-approved engine/propcombination

Experimental Amateur-Built Operating Limitations



Phase I

Flight Test Program•Not conducted over densely populated areas or in congested airways•Usually encompasses 25-statute mile radius•Carrying of passengers not permitted



Phase II

Permanent Operating Limitations

• After successful completion of Phase I requirements, and

• A log book entry stating so

• Phase II Operating Limitations become effective and remain in effect



Showing Compliance with14 CFR Part 91.319(b)

• Flight test program should be developed in accordance with AC 90-89, Amateur-Built Aircraft and Ultra light Flight Testing Handbook, or its equivalent in scope and detail.



Showing Compliance with14 CFR Part 91.319(b)

• Applicant should be advised that after the experimental amateur-built airworthiness certificate has been issued, they must show compliance to 14 CFR Part 91.319(b).

• This is done by developing a flight test program that addresses the requirements, goals, and objectives of each test flight.



Flight Test Programs

Flight Test Program Serves 2 Purposes:

1. Ensures aircraft has been adequately tested and determined to be safe to fly within the aircraft’s flight envelope.

2. Flight test data is used to develop an accurate and complete aircraft flight manual and to establish emergency procedures.



Flight Test Programs

Note: The EAA Flight Advisor program has been established to assist applicants in developing flight test programs.



First Flight: Who is going to fly it?

In most cases, the builder will make the first flight– Some things to think about:

• Proficiency

• Transition training

• Currency

• Selecting an Airport

• Developing a plan

• Using a Technical Counselor

• Being willing to cancel the flight

• Being Prepared for Emergencies

– In the air and on the ground

• Weather



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.



A Repairman Certificate can be obtained by

making application to the local FAA FSDO

Repairman Certification



LODA: Letter of Deviation Authority

• The FAA may issue deviation authority providing relief from the provisions of paragraph (a) of 91.319 for the purpose of conducting flight training.

• The FAA will issue this deviation authority as a Letter Of Deviation Authority (LODA).



LODA: Letter of Deviation Authority

(1) The FAA may cancel or amend a letter of deviation authority at any time. (2) An applicant must submit a request for deviation authority to the FAA at least 60 days before the date of intended operations.Request for deviation authority must contain:1.A complete description of the proposed operation, and 2.Justification that establishes a level of safety equivalent to that provided under the regulations for the deviation requested.



Airmen Transition toExperimental or

Unfamiliar Airplanes

Advisory Circular AC 90-109



Summary

• Amateur Built Aircraft crash more often and are more often fatal than Certificated Aircraft

• Significant improvements have been made and the historical accident rate is on a downward trend however - – we still have room for improvement



Summary

• Use the resources available to you – EAA / FAA• Build a simple Risk Management Plan

Enjoy this wonderful freedom we have!



Amateur-Built Fatal Accidents 0-5 Airframe Hours

0 2 4 6 8 10

Forced Landing

In-flight Separation

LoC

LoC for Powerloss

LoC on Other Takeoff

LoC on 1st Takeoff



Amateur-Built Fatal Accidents 41-60 Airframe Hours

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Forced Landing

In-flight Separation

Midair

CFIT

LoC for Powerloss

LoC Pilot



Carelessness and overconfidence are usually more dangerous than deliberately accepted risk.

- Wilbur Wright, 1901



THE ENDTHE END

Presented to: By: Date: Federal Aviation Administration Certification of Amateur-Built Aircraft EAA...

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