Flight Test cards

[Peterk]

no timetable on sending the info in and no consequences. It would be to their advantage if you did not. Should a liability situation arise (with their name on the data plate) all they have to say to the jury is: the guy never test flew it as anyone would any factory plane. You can take your time to do it right...just do it for your own piece of mind.

[yankee-flyer]

I'll learn to fly the airplane before completing all the test cards!!

Wayne

[Brantel]

Dynon has the ability to put a mark in the data long on command via a button push on the screen. This should help you find and decipher the correct places in the log later after the flight. Makes em easier to find and you do not have to be so concerned with the exact time...

[sahrens]

A friend of mine just test flew his plans built aircraft (not an RV.) They mounted a camera to the right of the pilot focused on the instrument panel. That way all of the flight and engine instruments were recorded so he could focus on the aircraft.

Just a thought.

[Mark Henderson]

The weather has been a factor for me completing the test cards. It's hard to do a climb to 8000 ' if the ceiling is 3000'. I agree with Yankee Flyer that part of my phase I is just learning to fly my plane. I did 6 hours of transition training, but a few more hours just flying basic manuevers has helped me get more comfortable with my 12.

[GDS]

We couldn't fly off all of the checklists before signing off the airplane. There is nowhere within the area prescribed in our FAA operating limitation letter that has a density altitude below 5000' during daylight hours, so I signed it off without the climb-out tables completed. I'll go to a sea level airport to complete them.
My biggest complaint was the volume on the stall warning horn during stalls and slow flight. I ended up doing the 5 hours with my headset off, using earplugs. Finally took things apart to access the volume controls and now have all alarms set as low as possible.
When completed, I want to have the checklists on file with Van's Aircraft in case it becomes a factor when we sell the airplane someday.

[David Fuchs]

Would it be possible for someone to send me a copy of the RV-12 Flight Test Cards.

Thanks

David

Casualobservertwo@msn.com

[rvbuilder2002]

Originally Posted by yankee-flyer

isn't a problem. I've done that with every airplane I've flown. Checking all that in the first 5 -10 hours while learning a new airplane AND new systems does appear to be a problem. If Van's doesn't really want you to do all that in the first 5 flights, that's fine, but I wish they'd say so. If they're willing to wait a couple of months for their info, that's differetnt, but that's not what the PAP implies.

Wayne

The PAP (production acceptance procedure) is a requirement of the S-LSA certification. This is the test program that each S-LSA that came off of a production line would be required to have done.
The FAA requires that any E-LSA kit be supplied with the same test program documentation since it is basically is the same S-LSA airplane only constructed at a different location than the factory production line.

A production test pilot can probably do it in five 1 hour flights. Most home builders probably would not. A more realistic estimate is about 10 hours.
Even though the E-LSA operating limitations don't specifically say the PAP must be complete before teh airplane can be signed out of its test phase, I believe the FAA's interpretation would be that it does (if you ever got into a boxing match with them about it).

In FAA Order 8130.2F, Section 8 (applicable to E-LSA) it says...

(4) An applicant seeking to obtain an experimental LSA certificate for a kit-built aircraft
should be advised that the aircraft will have to be in compliance with ? 91.319(b). To show this
compliance, the applicant must perform flight testing that addresses the requirements, goals, and
objectives of the applicable consensus standard acceptance flight test. The flight test program will be
developed in accordance with the manufacturer?s aircraft operating instructions, maintenance and
inspection procedures, and flight training supplement using the applicable consensus standard ground
and flight testing procedures in conjunction with the operating limitations assigned. A flight test
program demonstrates that the aircraft has been adequately tested and determined to be in a condition for
safe operation within the aircraft?s flight envelope in accordance with ? 91.319(b).

So, even though the E-LSA operating limitation don't spell it out. The DAR or inspector is supposed to verbally tell the builder that he is required to follow the test procedure supplied as part of the RV-12 documentation, to substantiate meeting the requirements of 91.319.

That being said...RV-12 builders should definitely always put safety first, and take their time. The PAP was actually written in a way to also help the new RV-12 pilot learn the flight characteristics of the airplane in a step by step manner.

[Mark Henderson]

I took 6 hours of transition training with Mike Seager, and now have 4 hours on my 12. I have only completed filling out 1 card. I have been loosely following the procedures in the next couple of test cards, but have not tried to fly the card exactly. Now that I have a few more hours in my plane, I feel more capable to fly the procedures and log the results. It seemed wiser to get comfortable in my plane before trying to emulate a test pilot. If I had been flying regularly the last 2 years, especially in something like an RV, I would have done it per the book. As it was I needed to sell my Warrior to afford my 12. I am in no rush, and will complete my sign off when I am completely satisfied that everything is working as it should. As an aside, my inspector only told me I had to fly 5 hours, and where. Nothing was said about the test cards.

[Peterk]

Again, your experience towards the value of continued transition flying in a light aircraft during the building process. If you can't buy one, rent one. It does make a difference. Friends of mine that transitioned the other way, ultralight to RV12 didn't have near the excitement.