Airworthiness Inspection - It Just Got Harder

[Catbird]

As I methodically work though my punchlist toward completion of N562E, I've been commumicating with a Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) associated with our local FAA Flight Service District Office (FSDO). The plan was to have him perform the airworthiness inspection in mid-May with hopes of beginning test flights in early June.

Last Friday (4/20/2012) the FAA Seattle Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO) notified the FSDOs within their region that, effective immediately, the FSDOs and their associated DARs were no longer authorized to perform initial airworthiness inspections on aircraft. From here on, we must submit a formal Airworthiness Application to the Seattle MIDO to have a DAR assigned to perform the inspection. The affected region includes Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Here is what the formal Airworthiness Request must include:
1) FAA Form 8130-6
2) FAA Form 8130-12
3) Photos of three views of the completed aircraft
4) Completed weight & balance
5) Proof of registration
6) Cover letter explaining the request for Airworthiness Inspection

This formal request cannot be submitted until the aircraft is completed and ready for inspection. The Seattle MIDO will then review the request and determine who will perform the inspection.

Has anyone else in the Northwest run into this wrinkle yet?

[alpinelakespilot2000]

Funny. I just posted on a DAR question. And yes, Stan Franz from Cubcrafters in Yakima told me exactly the same thing yesterday. It's definitely going to slow down the selection date of my inspection. It also seems really problematic. For just one example, if we can't choose, and since DARs can set inspection rates themselves, can the MIDO choose to have us be inspected by the DAR who's going to charge us the most? I get the impression this is a turf war that we are getting caught up in.

[Catbird]

I also spoke with Stan Franz at Cub Crafters this morning and he mentioned your RV-9 in Ellensburg. I'm trying my hardest to prevent my frustration from creeping into this message string. Stan is willing to work with us IF the Seattle MIDO will allow him to. But since he's associated with one of the affected FSDOs, it may not happen.

It seems to me that the formal Airworthiness Request is going to create additional work and delay the inspection an unknown amount of time.

[DonFromTX]

So who says you have to pay for a DAR? Are our taxpayer paid servants not doing their jobs any longer? Nothing against DAR's, but I feel that I already paid for the inspector in taxes.

[Hotscam]

I had my 12 inspection yesterday.
The weighing was ok allthough a bit heavy with all option installed.

Further inspection was ok but for a few minor points.

The inspector was however puzzled about the elevator range.
I adjusted the cables as per instructions but the up angle is quite large and down is quite small. This is limited by the stops at the rear and can hardly be wrong.
I cannot find a reference anywhere what should be neutral position of the elevator.
I leveled the elevator in line with the wing chord line, which I assume to be neutral.
I found the up angle is at least double the down movement, which seems unusual.
On the leading edge the down movement is no more than 1/2 inch.
The questions : is there a known ref point for neutral elevator?
Is the difference normal and is the small down angle enough.

I also put question to VAN's but no response sofar.

The inspector requires a clear statement about this.

Anybody ?

[DJR]

I just went through the certification process here in Bremerton, WA using the DAR of my choosing. I also had to submit a formal request for airworthiness inspection which included all of the six items that you listed. In the formal cover letter and request, I simply asked for a particular DAR to be assigned to my project. In about 24 hours, I recieved the ok, and the MIDO forwarded my request to the DAR. This was in early March.
My suggestion is to send your formal documents and request directly to your DAR's contact person at the MIDO.
This is how it all worked out for me.

Regards,

[Catbird]

Thanks for your input, DJR. Sounds like all of this will come out fine if we remain cool and work the system. It just surprised me last night when I got the call from my DAR.

[schristo@mac.com]

I worked with a DAR but he worked under a specific Seattle MIDO and all of the paperwork went to the MIDO who passed it on officially to the DAR. It all went quite smoothly for me.

[Bill_H]

When I contacted my FSDO (they are a 3.5 hour drive away) well in advance to find out about inspection, I got this reply - basically - "We're busy, get a DAR."
This was OK by me because I wound up working with an absolutely great DAR, he helped me handle every aspect in advance so that the actual inspection went perfectly smoothly. There was only one DAR in my state that had the proper code to inspect for E-LSA as opposed to E-AB.

The reply was:
"Congratulations on nearing the completion of your aircraft. The FAA has
put a network of Designated Airworthiness Representatives together that are
able to assist you with your request. These DAR exist to allow FAA
Inspectors to concentrate more heavily on the oversight responsibilities
they are assigned. Although there is a cost associated with using these
DAR, the assistance they can provide during the certification process is
invaluable. I would suggest you contact one now, as you are contacting us,
to move forward in a timely manner. Please follow this link,
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/.../media/dar.pdf
to access the list of DAR in Arkansas. Please note that not all DAR may
have the appropriate authorizations to assist you in your certification
project, but most are. You may want to invest a bit of time interviewing
each to find one you will enjoy working with. If you have any other
questions, please do not hesitate to contact me."

[gblwy]

Here's the stats for my UK-based aircraft. I had to do this for my inspector.

Elevator: Up 17 degrees, Down 4 degrees

Elevator Trimmer: Up 21 degrees, Down 32 degrees

Cheers...Keith