25 hour test requirement instead of the 40 hours

rvator10 · #1 03-23-2009, 02:28 PM

I?m getting close to the certification of my RV8A.
My DAR has asked if I can correlate the engine and propeller combination (vans parts) with any kind of production aircraft.
This would allow him by similarities to only require a 25 hour test requirement instead of the 40 hours.

Have any of you run across this before?
Do you have a solution that I can offer to the DAR to only require the 25 hour flight test?

Below are the engine and propeller combination that I purchased from Vans.
Experimental O-360 180HP
LYC XO-360-A1A
Compact hub Constant-speed prop for (I)O-360 (180/200hp) 74"
PROP C2YR-1BFP/F7497
thanks

N941WR · #2 03-23-2009, 02:38 PM

You can stop right at the engine. The LYC XO-360-A1A is an experimental engine, thus you get 40 hours.

The regs state that to get 25 hours you must have a certified engine - prop combination. Meaning that if you could pull an engine and prop right from a certified aircraft and stick in your homebuilt, you get 25 hours. Since you opted for the experimental Lycoming, even though it is identical to a certified O-360-A1A, you get 40 hours, regardless of what prop you stick on it.

scard · #3 03-23-2009, 02:39 PM

"LYC XO-" does it for me. You're not going to find one of those on anything certified.

Rick6a · #4 03-23-2009, 02:59 PM

I experienced this same issue. Van's directed me to Hartzell Propeller Inc. for pertinent data. The link includes a list of propellers for use in RV's. http://www.hartzellprop.com/kitplane/index_kitplane.htm

I called Hartzell and was told specific approved engine/prop combo information can be accessed at the FAA. I never could figure out how to access that information.

In any event, my DAR approved the 25 hour test period when he understood the OEM YIO-360-MIB I purchased through Van's and shipped directly from Lycoming is essentially identical to a "certified" engine. Apparently other builders have used DAR's that do not see things the same way. Lucky me.

mrblob · #5 03-23-2009, 03:46 PM

If the DAR elects to issue a 25 hour flight test period even if the engine/prop combination otherwise requires a 40 hour flight test, where does that leave the builder? Does he have to follow the regs which require 40 hours? Or can he sign it into Phase 2 after 25 hours based on his operating limitations?

I'm using a Subaru engine and a carbon Sensenich prop, but my DAR issued me a 25 hour flight test period.

Thoughts?

Paul

scard · #6 03-23-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrblob

I'm using a Subaru engine and a carbon Sensenich prop, but my DAR issued me a 25 hour flight test period.

Thoughts?

Paul

My thoughts: Wow.

Sam Buchanan · #7 03-23-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrblob

I'm using a Subaru engine and a carbon Sensenich prop, but my DAR issued me a 25 hour flight test period.

Amazing.................

In regard to your original question, if your op lims say twenty-five hours, that is all you are legally obligated to fly in Phase one........I guess......it's difficult to understand the rational of the DAR...............

Mel · #8 03-23-2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrblob

I'm using a Subaru engine and a carbon Sensenich prop, but my DAR issued me a 25 hour flight test period.
Paul

My first thought is that your DAR may not be one for long. A DAR may require MORE hours but he cannot approve LESS!

Ron Lee · #9 03-23-2009, 06:57 PM

Since you know that you should use 40 hours why not call the DAR and have the time corrected?

n5lp · #10 03-23-2009, 07:05 PM

Nothing about having been issued a 25 hour test period means that you have to take a passenger up at 25.1 hours. Fly your test program and get confident with the airplane. That should take longer than 40 hours anyway.

I wonder how many hours Kevin Horton is into his test program now? Probably a lot more than 25 hours and it is with traditional parts.