I’m very interested in using the second pilot program. Hopefully this will be a good discussion.
Admittedly I haven’t read all the docs related to this program thoroughly, what’s the difference between qualified and observer pilot?
I believe “Minimum crew required” is the verbiage.
Your eyes will glaze over reading that AC. I even called EAA for some clarification - they were very helpful.
A qualified pilot can be on board during all Phase 1, including the initial flight. However, the requirements are fairly steep. See the Qualified Pilot Worksheet in Appendix 1 of the AC.
Before you can consider either a qualified pilot or observer pilot, the AC requires 7 documented powerplant tests, if applicable:
Sorry for what might be dumb or obvious questions.
- Mixture and idle check - mix is N/A on a Rotax, and idle check is understood
- Magneto check - OK
- Cold cylinder check - is this required for a Rotax or is it N/A?
- Carb heat check - N/A for Rotax
- Fuel flow check - completed during PAP, understood
- Unusable fuel check - ??
- Compression check - required for the Rotax??
Before you can consider either a qualified pilot or observer pilot, the AC requires 7 documented powerplant tests, if applicable:
Sorry for what might be dumb or obvious questions.
- Mixture and idle check - mix is N/A on a Rotax, and idle check is understood
- Magneto check - OK
- Cold cylinder check - is this required for a Rotax or is it N/A?
- Carb heat check - N/A for Rotax
- Fuel flow check - completed during PAP, understood
- Unusable fuel check - ??
- Compression check - required for the Rotax??
Some of these terms are ambiguous.
- Mixture and idle check - ?? Engine idles and mixture….what, against the stop?
- Cold cylinder check - Compression test when cold…no idea
Unless there’s a FAA glossary of terms that include these, I guess whatever I document qualifies…
You might check AC 90-89B - the FAA’s guide to flight testing (which is much more about ground testing before flight than it is about actual flight testing…..).
Just like to add, the owner pilot and qualified pilot need to complete the score card matrix and meet the minimum scores. A current pilot in category and class will meet the owner pilot score.
The qualified pilot matrix score is much more demanding requiring a minimum score of 90 for experience qualifications. Per the instructions the score sheet needs to be signed and dated, and attached to the airframe logbook logbook prior to first flight.