Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by R Michael Moore on September 17, 2018 at 4:55pm

Hello Evan..

How closely does the wording of your petition match similar suggestions coming from EAA? I especially like the training option for holding the Repairman's Certificate. One way to aid acceptance of this point might be to require a one time revisit by a DAR in event of an E-AB being sold. That would give the FAA direct oversight regarding the aircraft condition at the time of transition to a new owner. Some might not like this idea, but a bit of compromise could swing the deal in our favor.

This one change would open up the market for me. I don't want to build but holding the Repairman's Certificate is critical due to lack of A&P services here on Guam.

Last query... What is your program for spreading the notice about your petition? Seems that you have a large number of forums to join and post this same notice? Best for everyone to gather around the same effort.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Evan Reisman on September 17, 2018 at 5:30pm

As to spreading the word, I also reached out to Dan Johnson of bydanjohnson.com and Jack Pelton of the EAA. Tomorrow, I was going to reach out to Mark Baker of the AOPA. I was also going to post a notice on some of the aviation related Facebook accounts. Please feel free to spread the word to any forums you belong to. I think enhancing the Sport Pilot program with the driver's license medical is a fantastic win for general aviation.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by R Michael Moore on September 17, 2018 at 5:00pm

Additional Note:
You may want to include a note in your invitation regarding suggested language. It is critical for comments to your petition be composed in a clear and courteous manner. Some folks get carried away or overly expressive, so to speak.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Evan Reisman on September 17, 2018 at 5:32pm

Great point on letting people know to keep things civil. Us pilots are an emotional bunch. ;) Thanks! 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by R Michael Moore on September 17, 2018 at 5:12pm

Just spent fifteen minutes looking for your petition. There is no "Regulations.org". Do you mean "Regulations.gov"? Please help by providing the correct link. Thanks

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Evan Reisman on September 17, 2018 at 5:27pm

Hi Michael,

Sorry about that: the correct web site is regulations.gov. Thanks for pointing that out.

I also emailed a copy of my petition to Jack Pelton, head of the EAA and he got back to me. He indicated that the FAA intends to release a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in January 2018 to increase the weight to 3600 pounds, 4 seats, and 150 mph. I would still go ahead and comment on my petition (it doesn't hurt). Either way, I intend on adding the elements of my petition to the FAA's Notice in January arguing for a higher speed than 150 mph, night endorsement, and allowing self inspection.

I, too, had a lot of trouble, initially, finding and A&P mechanic to perform the annual condition inspection. I finally found a great A&P, and through another pilot found another A&P mechanic that works on experimentals. I still think allowing second hand owner the ability to perform their annual inspection with additional training, and as you suggest, another visit from the DAR, is critical with all of the second hand experimentals entering the market. In fact, the additional training that comes with the repairmen's certificate can, in my view, only enhance safety.

Even with the right to perform my own inspection, I still like the idea of having a second set of eyes look over my plane, so I would probably still have my A&P at least do a thorough check of my work.

Thanks!

Evan

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by R Michael Moore on September 17, 2018 at 5:41pm

Here are links describing in brief terms the EAA initiative on Modernizing Homebuilt Certification.   Details are not yet available.   But the FAA is closely engaged with the EAA.   

AUGUST 2018

https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/eaa-news-and-aviation-news/news/08-09-20...

SEPTEMBER 2018

https://newsline.kitplanes.com/2018/09/14/eaa-talks-homebuilt-refor...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lawrence Bird on September 27, 2018 at 9:45am

This seems extremely well thought through, and hats off to you for the initiative – taken together with other similar sounding initiatives recently surfacing, I’m hopeful there is enough inertia for some mods to the existing LSA – which isn’t bad of itself, but never seemed to produce the accessible interest in aviation hoped for – rather e discrete niche for those with a unique, particular interest.  And given the rather depressed interest in aviation (and thus a supply of pilots at all levels) that even the gov’t is concerned about, it seems a no-brainer to make legal the very trainers (C150/152, Cherokee 140/150) many of us have long since demonstrated competency in, as well as the light 4-seaters that used to be the mainstay on the ramps of many satellite airports… LSA as currently configured generally works for me, but at my gentrified age I tend to think in terms of recreational single-seaters rather than flying taxis; however, 160kts above 10,000 – goodness, who can argue with that.

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Evan Reisman on October 9, 2018 at 9:23pm

Thanks Lawrence! Apparently a lot is happening behind the scenes in the FAA. According to Jack Pelton of the EAA via email correspondence, the LSA program is getting a makeover early next year, so I’m hopeful too.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gil DeVault on October 12, 2018 at 6:20pm

I agree with a lot of what you say. 

• ▶ Reply