Normally, when a black SUV with Government license plates rolls up on you at an airport ? it?s usually a time for concern. However, that was not the case Monday at the DOG Aviation hangar ? in fact, much to the contrary, it was a most welcomed sight. The SUV?s doors opened and three representatives from the FAA?s Cleveland MIDO (Manufacturing Inspection District Offices) facility exited the vehicle to greet me. Mr. Richard Greenlief, a Senior Aviation Safety Inspector and Small Plane Directorate, was the first to speak and said not be alarmed ? normally he would be the only Fed doing the inspection, but he had brought a couple of his newer employees along for some on the job training. I was introduced to Mr Jeffrey Green and Mr. Steven Heard ? then was told that Steven Heard would be taking the lead inspector role and would be performing the airworthiness inspection on the DOG Aviation RV-12 under Mr. Greenlief?s supervision. Steven and I shared an instant camaraderie ?. the airworthiness inspection would be a first for each of us.
The RV-12 was built as E-AB so, of course, I had the burden of proof that 51% of the work was done by myself. Armed with hundreds of photos with me in them all, a detailed builder?s log, and the DOG Aviation Blog, there was no contesting the fact the RV-12 was assembled by me.
Everything went smooth during the inspection and no issues found with the paperwork or the aircraft. After a brief engine run and a subsequent check for leaks, I was granted the coveted Special Airworthiness Certificate.
FAA Small Plane Directorate Mr Steven Heard presenting me with the Special Airworthiness Certificate for the DOG Aviation RV-12.
Many thanks to Doug Reeves for providing such a valuable resource for the RV community and to all the VAF forum members who over the last four years have directly answered questions or indirectly by posting valuable information for us all to share. A special thanks to the numerous RV-12 builders who have gone before and taken the time to share their knowledge here and via Blogs or builder sites for builders such as myself to refer to ? especially during those times when a picture is worth a thousand words. I would also like to acknowledge Dave Gamble at Schmetterling Aviation for taking the time one cold and snowy Saturday afternoon over four years ago to show me his then almost completed RV-12 and allow me to poke around, ask a million questions and peruse the detail of Van?s plans. It is your fault Dave, it pushed me over the edge to pick up the phone and purchase the RV-12?s empennage kit ? then proceed to ruin my posture by being bent over daily for the next four years LOL.
The RV-12 was built as E-AB so, of course, I had the burden of proof that 51% of the work was done by myself. Armed with hundreds of photos with me in them all, a detailed builder?s log, and the DOG Aviation Blog, there was no contesting the fact the RV-12 was assembled by me.
Everything went smooth during the inspection and no issues found with the paperwork or the aircraft. After a brief engine run and a subsequent check for leaks, I was granted the coveted Special Airworthiness Certificate.
FAA Small Plane Directorate Mr Steven Heard presenting me with the Special Airworthiness Certificate for the DOG Aviation RV-12.
Many thanks to Doug Reeves for providing such a valuable resource for the RV community and to all the VAF forum members who over the last four years have directly answered questions or indirectly by posting valuable information for us all to share. A special thanks to the numerous RV-12 builders who have gone before and taken the time to share their knowledge here and via Blogs or builder sites for builders such as myself to refer to ? especially during those times when a picture is worth a thousand words. I would also like to acknowledge Dave Gamble at Schmetterling Aviation for taking the time one cold and snowy Saturday afternoon over four years ago to show me his then almost completed RV-12 and allow me to poke around, ask a million questions and peruse the detail of Van?s plans. It is your fault Dave, it pushed me over the edge to pick up the phone and purchase the RV-12?s empennage kit ? then proceed to ruin my posture by being bent over daily for the next four years LOL.