Airworthiness Inspection - It Just Got Harder

[Hal-san]

Catbird,
Sounds exactly the way it worked when I did it last July. The only thing that I see that may be different is I was able to request a specific DAR.

[alpinelakespilot2000]

Originally Posted by Hal-san

Catbird,
Sounds exactly the way it worked when I did it last July. The only thing that I see that may be different is I was able to request a specific DAR.

This is, apparently, precisely the issue. I clarified it with the FSDO today. The MIDO seems to be claiming that they alone get to pick the DAR. The builder does not get to. FSDO does not agree, but they are under the MIDO. Prior to today, I have NEVER heard anyone in the VAF community say they were not allowed to select their own DAR. Not saying it hasn't happened, but in 8 years of monitoring VAF I can't remember such a case.

[bgl]

I have been having trouble getting a date for my inspection also No DAR in the area and the closest one is 200mi away wants $750 to come One other wants $450 plus all expense which would be over $1000 I have a tentative date 6 to 7 weeks wait. They want all paper work first.

[DonFromTX]

I think the closest one to me is over 500 miles away. Looks like I should just fly it to a FSDO that can handle it. Maybe make me a ferry permit to go get the AW inspection.

[Hotscam]

Keith

Thanks thats what I needed

Jack

[cln1owner]

Originally Posted by alpinelakespilot2000

This is, apparently, precisely the issue. I clarified it with the FSDO today. The MIDO seems to be claiming that they alone get to pick the DAR. The builder does not get to. FSDO does not agree, but they are under the MIDO. Prior to today, I have NEVER heard anyone in the VAF community say they were not allowed to select their own DAR. Not saying it hasn't happened, but in 8 years of monitoring VAF I can't remember such a case.

Sounds like the only option is to nicely request a DAR in the cover letter. I'm eager to see how this plays out. I've learned a lot from you Steve, and it seems the trend will continue. Good luck.

[alpinelakespilot2000]

Originally Posted by cln1owner

Sounds like the only option is to nicely request a DAR in the cover letter. I'm eager to see how this plays out. I've learned a lot from you Steve, and it seems the trend will continue. Good luck.

No, nicely requesting hasn't worked yet either. I did request the guy from Yakima who I've been working with for the past 6 months in anticipation of this (and who's done a number of initial inspections in Ellensburg already), but the Seattle MIDO instead sent me a list of about 25 others from which I could choose. Some as far away as Idaho City ID, Jordan City UT and Reno NV. The only two in central Washington was a guy from Electric City and another from Yakima that I cannot use because he can only do Cubcrafters aircraft. Then most others from the west side of the mountains. In fact, only four on the list are even in the Spokane FSDO that Ellensburg is part of! It also seems to be very random because although there are a couple from Oregon, Gary Brown from Independence OR who monitors VAF, is not on the list. He's working on that. Crazy stuff.

[Dave12]

[quote=bgl;653527]I have been having trouble getting a date for my inspection also No DAR in the area and the closest one is 200mi away wants $750 to come One other wants $450 plus all expense which would be over $1000 I have a tentative date 6 to 7 weeks wait. They want all paper work first.

On this note I want give recognition to Bobby Thomas (DAR) of Laurel, Md. A fine gentleman who handled my inspection and charged a token amount for mileage on his car. I think the total was around $200. He is a hard core EAA'r and a retired banker. He has been around airplanes most of his life and has built numerous aircraft. A fine gent indeed!

[AaronG]

In the Northeast (Connecticut) the paperwork provided to the MIDO is exactly as described. Has been that way for years. For both of my planes, I requested an AB-DAR by name and cc:ed him on the application letter. The MIDO knows him, and honored my request both times with no questions. If someone else was provided, I would have gone and had a face-to-face with the MIDO to discuss.

Aaron

[DanH]

This sort of thing is why you pay EAA dues. You've done the background work, so get them involved.