program letter

DEWATSON · #1 10-29-2010, 07:32 AM

Have any of you been told by the FAA to provide a "program letter" describing the territory where you intend to fly your RV once it is airworthy?

Thanks for any and every response on this one.

David Watson
49FD

vic syracuse · #2 10-29-2010, 07:36 AM

A program letter is usually part of the package that a builder submits to the FAA when requesting an Airworthiness inspection, along with the 8130-6. In the program letter there is space provided to define the requested test area. Some parts of the country already have defined areas from certain airports, and it can not be changed. Others are more flexible, and we can usually work with the builder on a test area that is convenient for them and at the same time mindful of the need to stay away from congested areas and cerain classes of airspace during phase I testing.

Vic

hydroguy2 · #3 10-29-2010, 07:36 AM

I had to fill out the program letter as part of the airworthiness application. It does ask for area under which Phase 1 testing will take place. I had to draw it on a sectional map also

6 Gun · #4 10-29-2010, 07:46 AM

after you do phase one and now are in phase 2 are you required to submitt a letter to the faa asking permission to fly in differnt parts of the country i heard of a faa insp saying it was required to be on file for phase 2 and if your ramped checked its required to be on board that you have permission to fly to that location is that true

DEWATSON · #5 10-29-2010, 07:49 AM

This is interesting to me. I did the program letter for my inspection and the inspector was very lenient with me and allowed the phase I test area that I asked for. BUT, he said that I have to have an approved program letter on board the airplane along with the airworthiness certficate and registration for phase II. He said that the FAA will usually comply to the program letter request for phase II, but it should be on board the airplane and filed with the FAA in case I am ramp checked in, let's say, Idaho. He said that the normal area for phase II flying is about a 300 mile radius from my home airport in north Florida.

I certainly don't want to stir anything up because the inspector was a very considerate and polite man. My wife and I made a friend forever...he was just such a genuine and friendly fellow. I'm sure I understood him to tell me what I've quoted here. It was news to me and I just want to see if anybody else has ever been told this.

vic syracuse · #6 10-29-2010, 08:10 AM

The requirement for a letter in Phase II is not required. Once you complete Phase I you can operate like any other airplane, both nationally and internationally, as long as you comply with the pertinent rules, i.e., night, IFR/IMC, international requirments for the specific country, etc. You do need to carry your Phase II limitations with you at all times. I don't know where this is coming from unless someone is mixing it up with Experimental EXHIBITION. These usually require a letter with a stated area, which is usually a defined readiius from the home airport for proficiency flights.

Vic

RVbySDI · #7 10-29-2010, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic syracuse

. . .You do need to carry your Phase II limitations with you at all times. . . Vic

Vic,
You just confused me with this statement. Is this a typo? Did you mean to say "You do NOT need to carry. . ."? If you did mean it the way you stated it originally that would seem to conflict with the concept of being able to fly our airplanes like any other certificated airplane.

Just trying to clear this up in my mind.

DEWATSON · #8 10-29-2010, 10:41 AM

Vic,

Please clarify Steve's question. It confused me too.

The FAA inspector told me that the program letter approved by the FAA for phase II flying should be kept in the airplane and that it was required. I think I need to get back in touch with him and get his take on this again. Both I and my wife had him explain his comments to us twice and I'm sure of what he told me. Our conversation about this letter went on for about five minutes. I told him that I had intentions of flying the airplane to Osh Kosh when I was in phase II. He said that if I was ramp checked at Osh Kosh and did not have the letter on board, I would be out of compliance. I told him to expect a letter from me for phase II requesting approval that will cover the entire USA. He said that it was no problem, just get the letter approved and have it on board at all times.

MauiLvrs · #9 10-29-2010, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVbySDI

Vic,
You just confused me with this statement. Is this a typo? Did you mean to say "You do NOT need to carry. . ."?

The Operating Limitations are part of the airworthiness certificate. If they are not on board during phase 2 operations , the airworthiness certificate is meaningless e.g. same effrect as not having the .airworthiness certificate on board.

vic syracuse · #10 10-29-2010, 11:18 AM

Dave got it right, and it is exactly what I did say: YOU MUST CARRY YOUR OPERATING LIMITATIONS IN YOUR AIRPLANE AT ALL TIMES. It explicitly states that the limitations are a part of the airworthiness certificate right on your airworthiness certificate. No limitations on board, and the aircraft is not airworthy.
It's pretty simple.
Please don't hesitate to call if I can be of any help.

Vic