New FAA Policy on Amateur Building Released

[JerryG150]

The FAA released it's new policy on EAB. Here's the link...

http://eaa.org/news/2008/2008-07-15_overview.asp

http://www.eaa.org/news/2008/2008-07-15_policy.asp

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-16093.htm

Maybe someone can explain what this means to me building an RV-12.

[Geico266]

Build on Jerry G.

[mrt890]

JMO but this probably limits the 12 to E-LSA only.

MRT890

[Peterk]

Larry is right Jerry. As long as you plan on building an ELSA...so far so good. The new plan wants am-builts to prove that they actually fabricate 20% of the aircraft (not just assemble)...that might be tough with the 12...except they are attempting to get certified as an SLSA which would give us permission to get an airworthiness cert with "no major portion requirement". See 8130.2F (141)(c)(2). You will still have to get a 16 hour repariman's cert to inspect it and certify it for your DAR.

Keep in mind it has to be built to Van's approval - no changes - until you get your airworthiness cert...then you can change it.

Anyway...thats the way I see it...if I'm wrong...someone please straighten me out...thanks

Pete
wings done...waitin on the fuse

[kevinh]

Actually - looks pretty reasonable to me. Whew!

[tomcostanza]

To ensure consistency and standardization concerning amateur-built kit aircraft evaluations, the FAA proposes to clarify how much
fabrication and assembly must be performed by the amateur builder. The
FAA is proposing that an amateur builder fabricate a minimum of 20
percent of an aircraft and assemble a minimum of 20 percent of the
aircraft.

[RANT]
This, for example, is so ridiculous, it could only be written by someone knowing little to nothing about the process (read bureaucrat). What does this mean? How do you measure 20% of the fabrication? Is it 20% of the length, 20% of the weight? If you have 30 ribs, does the builder fabricate 6 of them? The ribs (and most other parts) of a Van's kit are "fabricated" on a CNC machine. The fabrication consists of putting a piece of aluminum in the machine and pressing a button. If I go to Van's and push the button, do I qualify as having "fabricated" the part? Do I need to buy yet another tool to fabricate it? Or, do I need to fabricate it with a hammer and hand brake? And if I do, how less safe is that part, compared to a CNC fabricated part?

These kits are designed so that someone with above average, but less than expert skills can build an airplane that is safe and affordable (barely). I agree that there is a problem with the existing situation, but I fear that this cure will become worse than the disease.

Your tax dollars at work.
[/RANT]

[Jamie]

The FAA is defining "fabrication" as the following:

"Fabrication is defined as ?to construct a structure or component from raw stock or materials.? This excludes rebuilding or restoring activities.?

If amateur builders must fabricate 20% of the aircraft I don't think even the existing slow-build kits meet this criteria.

[170 driver]

Thank goodness Van got all his kits grandfathered,,,I feel sorry for the people building other kits though,,,looks like their paperwork might be alot more to prove the fabrication part.

[Mel]

Originally Posted by 170 driver

Thank goodness Van got all his kits grandfathered,,,I feel sorry for the people building other kits though,,,looks like their paperwork might be alot more to prove the fabrication part.

Van didn't get "his" kits grandfathered. All kits that were on the list got grandfathered.

[Geico266]

Originally Posted by 170 driver

Thank goodness Van got all his kits grandfathered,,,I feel sorry for the people building other kits though,,,looks like their paperwork might be alot more to prove the fabrication part.

That is the key, Van's kits are grandfathered.

Mostly, this FAA "clairification" is to put a hurt on hired builders, and speculation builders. Like anything there are ways around it. We'll just have to see how creative "builders" get. Maybe the new assisted builders sloagans will be something like "Four Weeks To Taxi".

I think this is a good thing. The FAA could have come down with a much bigger hammer. I see this as just getting the attention of professional homebuilders.