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-   -   BFR in an RV that's not really transition training? (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=159110)

TimO 04-02-2018 12:36 PM

I have a LODA (authorization from the FAA) to do transition training in the RV-14. Last year I went thru the process. I'm sure that there is at least a SMALL chance that some people would have different results than I did, but, in my case doing a Flight Review in the RV-14 not all all do-able.

As part of my authorization I cannot even give transition training unless the pilot ALREADY has a current "BFR". If I were to charge someone, even for my time, (who was not doing transition training) that would be considered using an experimental for commercial purposes, which is expressly illegal. Insurance wise, to be PIC in the plane they have to meet my insurances' requirements, and they are fairly high so many pilots would not (for non-transition training this is), otherwise in theory I could give the airplane for free and my time for free and do a flight review if the person was covered. But I would never extend myself that way due to the insurance requirements. I can, however, do a BFR for anyone who I'd be willing to do this for, such as family, or named-insured friends.

My advice would be if you need a Flight Review, just go get the flight review and get it over with. Don't worry about the "RV" part of it. Use that time to go fly some airplane type you've never flown before, and make it fun, perhaps. Go get some retract time and combine a BFR with some instruction. Time in varied makes and models is valuable to you as a pilot. Then, once you're current, go call up an RV pilot who may or may not be a CFI and let them give you some stick time. Don't expect them to let you land it. I learned the hard way doing demo flights in my RV-10 that even people with 5000 hours can be a risk, so I won't let most people land it. The worst landing my RV-10 ever had was by a 5000 hour pilot...and I was stupid enough to let him try a 2nd time.

But whatever you do, don't try to skirt the commercial laws. If it gets out, it not only gets you in trouble but gives our whole experimental amateur-built type a little more of a black eye that we just don't need.

Regarding the insurance for having a LODA, it's big dollars. I would have to say that in general, it's not worth it as a CFI to even offer the training unless you're just dying to give away your life's free time to strangers who are coming to you to possibly damage your plane so that they don't damage their own. The only reason I got the LODA was to support the RV-14 community. It's definitely a way to lose money though. I could easily get the LODA for my RV-10 as well, but I decided I didn't need to have multiple ways for myself to spend more money in a year than I'd get back, and risk damage to my pride and joy at the same time.


On a separate note, if you OWN your own RV, and you want to get flight training in it, it's completely legal for you to pay the CFI for his time and get training. That is far more attractive to me. It would even be POSSIBLE for someone to buy an RV and learn to fly in their RV. The big catch there would be getting the insurance if you don't already have the private cert and required amount of time to get the insurance. There are insurers out there that will require 250 hours just to insure a pilot in an RV. There are some who will insure you with zero hours, but at a very high rate. I'm currently paying the latter for my daughter.

rvbuilder2002 04-02-2018 01:21 PM

To anyone nearing their first flight, stick time with someone in any RV, even if they aren't a CFI is far better than doing it totally cold turkey, but I would recommend that be used only as a last resort.

As Tim himself mentioned, landings need to be learned, and you will only learn by doing. That requires someone that is willing to allow you to try (actually doing landings) and has the abilities to help you through the process.

Landing technique is the majority of the focus during transition training

The value of using an experienced instructor like Tim or any of the others can't be over emphasized. I have been using Mike Seager for flight reviews and other specific training for over 20 years and I still learn new things about flying these airplanes when he and I fly together.

With all of the time and money that gets put into building an RV, don't short circuit the process at the end by not being as prepared as you possibly can be.

DonFromTX 04-04-2018 06:00 PM

In case anyone else is trying to get a copy of someones LODA, my request to the FSDO was returned today, saying I needed to resubmit it on a FOIA request form!
Sometimes the silliness of the FAA can get to me. Rather than simply email it to me, now we have to employ a whole fleet of people that handle FOIA requests. Maybe privatizing is not such a bad idea after all.

RV7A Flyer 04-04-2018 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonFromTX (Post 1250955)
In case anyone else is trying to get a copy of someones LODA, my request to the FSDO was returned today, saying I needed to resubmit it on a FOIA request form!
Sometimes the silliness of the FAA can get to me. Rather than simply email it to me, now we have to employ a whole fleet of people that handle FOIA requests. Maybe privatizing is not such a bad idea after all.

Why do you think someone's FAA records should be publicly available in the first place? It bothers me that they make public my aircraft registration info, including home address, as well. No state driver's license bureau does that with vehicle licenses. Not sure why airman records should be any different, in that they should not just be "out there" for anyone to access. Just my opinion, of course....

PilotjohnS 04-04-2018 11:06 PM

private
 
I believe you can make some of the FAA records private, and not have everything available in the public database. Most flight attendants do this.

rmartingt 04-05-2018 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV7A Flyer (Post 1250984)
Why do you think someone's FAA records should be publicly available in the first place? It bothers me that they make public my aircraft registration info, including home address, as well. No state driver's license bureau does that with vehicle licenses. Not sure why airman records should be any different, in that they should not just be "out there" for anyone to access. Just my opinion, of course....

I asked the FAA once. They said:

"Are records are public for safety."

Yes, "are". :rolleyes:

I don't see how "safety" is enhanced by making this stuff public.

DonFromTX 04-05-2018 09:43 AM

I do. A few years back I got a letter from the FAA informing me that the last three annuals on my Cherokee were performed by a person hired and acting as an IA by the local airport, who did not even have a mechanics license!
To me it is safer to have annuals and maintenance by a licensed repairman. I certainly have no problems whatever with having my credentials made available to people that might be harmed by my dishonesty. Should I be?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmartingt (Post 1251013)
I asked the FAA once. They said:

"Are records are public for safety."

Yes, "are". :rolleyes:

I don't see how "safety" is enhanced by making this stuff public.


RV7A Flyer 04-05-2018 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonFromTX (Post 1251080)
I do. A few years back I got a letter from the FAA informing me that the last three annuals on my Cherokee were performed by a person hired and acting as an IA by the local airport, who did not even have a mechanics license!
To me it is safer to have annuals and maintenance by a licensed repairman. I certainly have no problems whatever with having my credentials made available to people that might be harmed by my dishonesty. Should I be?

How is knowing the home address of the owner of an aircraft increasing safety?

RV7A Flyer 04-05-2018 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV8JD (Post 1251147)
You may request the FAA to withhold your Airmen Certificate address information from release.

It's easy to do. See this website for additional info:

https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certifi...releasability/

Yes, but there's no similar option for an aircraft *owner*.

RV7A Flyer 04-06-2018 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV8JD (Post 1251371)
Yes, that's why I highlighted Airmen Certificate in both the Title and Body of my post. As another poster said, "you can make some of the FAA records private".

But I agree, I think that Aircraft Owners should be able to keep their information private also.

I know...I wasn't arguing with you.

I guess it'll take something similar to the case where the murderer tracked down that actress' address from her auto license, which led to states making that info private, before the FAA will change.


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