Quick "End of Phase 1 Language" Question

[Toobuilder]

This has probably been asked a million times, but I can?t find it:

Reading through the required language in the ops lims for the end of test ("?controllable at Vx, etc??), it appears they are looking for you to document data at only one particular CG and weight. During testing you will of course test the entire range from heavy to light and fwd to aft CG, so are they really looking for just one test point to document? And if so, do you just pick one and document it?

[SHIPCHIEF]

Perhaps you could enter something to the effect that Flight Characteristics and Performance are consistant with VAN's Aircraft published data for the type?

[Toobuilder]

Well, the required language is very specific in my ops limits, but the confusion regards the documentation of Vso. That speed varies according to weight, as we know. Just asking what people are using... Do you try "cheat" a bit and use absolute min fuel and payload, or is this at max gross?

[rleffler]

Originally Posted by Toobuilder

This has probably been asked a million times, but I can?t find it:

Reading through the required language in the ops lims for the end of test ("?controllable at Vx, etc??), it appears they are looking for you to document data at only one particular CG and weight. During testing you will of course test the entire range from heavy to light and fwd to aft CG, so are they really looking for just one test point to document? And if so, do you just pick one and document it?

Great timing! I am about half way through Phase I and was wondering the exact thing.

bob

[Mel]

That verbiage was added to the Phase I sign off to encourage pilots to include testing information in the aircraft records. It is not meant to be the total information to be included. In the past many people were not putting any test data into the records. This particular entry is to establish gross weight data.
The aircraft cannot be operated at a gross weight over that which has been tested.

[Toobuilder]

So the following language:

...The following aircraft operating data has been demonstrated during the flight testing: speeds Vso______, Vx______, and Vy______, and the weight______ and CG location______ at which they were obtained.

...is a bare minimum. Are you suggesting that we add the stall speeds at max gross weight and the max aft and most forward CG? How about "dirty" and "clean"?

[RV6_flyer]

Originally Posted by Toobuilder

So the following language:

...The following aircraft operating data has been demonstrated during the flight testing: speeds Vso______, Vx______, and Vy______, and the weight______ and CG location______ at which they were obtained.

...is a bare minimum. Are you suggesting that we add the stall speeds at max gross weight and the max aft and most forward CG? How about "dirty" and "clean"?

The FAA Order and your OpLims says:

...Compliance with 14 CFR ? 91.319(b) must be recorded in the aircraft records with the following, or a similarly worded, statement:
?I certify that the prescribed flight test hours have been completed and the aircraft is controllable throughout its normal range of speeds and throughout all maneuvers to be executed, has no hazardous operating characteristics or design features, and is safe for operation. The following aircraft operating data has been demonstrated during the flight testing: speeds Vso ______, Vx ______, and Vy ______, and the weight ______ and CG location ______ at which they were obtained.?

NOTE the words: ..."must be recorded in the aircraft records with the following, or a similarly worded, statement:"...

IMHO, pick one. I like typical info or gross weight info. IF you have a HUGE difference in the data, you are a much better test pilot than I am.

[Toobuilder]

OK, I'm getting the sense that this is another one of those "check the box/on your honor" kind of situations...

I'll load it up to max gross for the stalls since that will be the most critical info for the records. And even though it's not called out, I'll also include Vs (clean), because it is a notable difference from Vso.

Thanks for the clarity everybody.