Searching AD's, SI's, SB's...etc

To all the experiences A&P's and DAR's out there...
We are going to be flying our RV-7 in the next couple months and I've been researching documentation for Condition Inspections and logbook entries along with the required FAA paperwork. This has led me to a various threads here in the forum regarding inspections for the many components on an engine (100hr engine and prop items, 500hr mag inspection/overhaul...etc). I've looked at the Lycoming website and Hartzell website and have found a long list of Service Bulletins and Service Instructions. What do you all do to make sure you are complying with all these documents for each of your engine components? Do you just visit the websites for the governor, prop, engine, mags, fuel servo/carb...etc and look for newly released information each year at the condition inspection? How about a logbook entry at the time an airworthness cert is issued stating all AD's and SB's have been complied with up to that date? Looking for a little guidance...

ADs, SB etc

You can find the ADs affecting certified aircraft and components by manufacturer on the FAA.GOV website. SB are mandatory if they are referenced in an AD. As for experimental aircraft ADs are not issued and are not applicable but can be used for reference since they are approved data by the FAA. SB for experimental typically are not mandatory but should be followed and noted in your AIRFRAME maintenance logbook.

A good read for you would be the FAA docs you can find on FAA.GOV read FAR 43 Appendix A and D and use AC43. The DAR will issue a Supplemental Airworthiness Limitations Addendum to your AW certificate which specifies the inspection criteria among other specifics. You will need to generate a checklist for your condition inspection. There are examples on this web site but the FAR 43 dictates the minimum checklist.

You will need your repairman certificate to sign off the inspection.

Hope this helps a bit
Tyler
ASEL Instrument
A&P

Your DAR may want you to indicate on the 8130-6 what bi-weekly AD list you researched up to - see http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_G...iweekly!OpenView&Start=1&Count=200&Expand=2#2 for the information.

There is always a debate to be found about whether ADs apply to experimental aircraft - some feel very strongly they do and others equally strong they do not. FWIW, the FAA has indicated that ADs apply if they say they do (without regard to whether experimental or not).

So, checking Lycoming, Hartzell or Sensenich should largely cover you on ADs. Check each manufaturer's website for service bulletins as well as Van's for your model. Make a list and document compliance during the build or that it is N/A. Then check the bi-weekly list to be sure nothing came up recently and I would think you got it.

You do not need the repairman certificate to sign (as the builder prior to the DAR inspection) that the completed aircraft is in a condition for safe flight. You do not need the repairman certificate to do any maintenance on the aircraft or make logbook entries.

You do need the repairman certificate - actually, called a "Repairman - Experimental Aircraft Builder" which is distinct from "Repairman" in order to sign off the condition inspection if you do not have a Mechanic (with A&P) certificate. (See http://fsims.faa.gov/PICDetail.aspx?docId=8900.1,Vol.5,Ch5,Sec5 for the FAA guidance on obtaining the Repairmen Experimental Aircraft Builder Certificate)

Hope that helps.

Dan

Easy to check

Hello Trevor, go to your local aircraft mechanic, they will have a program like T-Data or ATP or such. It's a much easier way to navigate the legal waters than doing a website search. The mechanic will pull up the Prop AD's if there are any and the same for the engine, the airframe and the appliances. The appliances will cover all the things installed on your aircraft like the ELT, the instruments etc... Best of LUCK!!! The guys here have already given some fantastic advice so I won't beat a dead horse.
Best,
Brian