Phyrcooler
Well Known Member
Why "Experimental" anyway?
OK... I know it is in the rules... but what is the benefit to anybody by saying it is experimental? I find it a bit lowbrow - such as - "watch out, I just glued these sticks together, and it may all come apart in a disastrous fashion while you watch".
I personally think that while we are working with the FAA on cementing the 51% rule, we need to address this nomenclature issue. After 4,000+ RV's out there - is the type really experimental?! I know that we have the freedom to tweak as we construct... but is the basic flying design structure being experimented with? I think we should replace "Experimental" with "Custom" - which denotes something more like - "I built mine special and faster" than "I am crazy, and built this rickety thing myself"!
Regardless of whether we retain the (stupid) "experimental" on the airworthiness certificate (and pasted as a "warning" all over the aircraft) - I see absolutely NO value in having to announce it to anybody. Unless we expect everyone to avoid us in the air - or special treatment by controllers "quick - get him on the ground - he's EXPIREMENTAL" - what is the use?
(please note: I am not recommending breaking the rules on communication - just changing the rules!)
THAT's my RANT!
Stepping back off soap box - the floor is now yours!
OK... I know it is in the rules... but what is the benefit to anybody by saying it is experimental? I find it a bit lowbrow - such as - "watch out, I just glued these sticks together, and it may all come apart in a disastrous fashion while you watch".
I personally think that while we are working with the FAA on cementing the 51% rule, we need to address this nomenclature issue. After 4,000+ RV's out there - is the type really experimental?! I know that we have the freedom to tweak as we construct... but is the basic flying design structure being experimented with? I think we should replace "Experimental" with "Custom" - which denotes something more like - "I built mine special and faster" than "I am crazy, and built this rickety thing myself"!
Regardless of whether we retain the (stupid) "experimental" on the airworthiness certificate (and pasted as a "warning" all over the aircraft) - I see absolutely NO value in having to announce it to anybody. Unless we expect everyone to avoid us in the air - or special treatment by controllers "quick - get him on the ground - he's EXPIREMENTAL" - what is the use?
(please note: I am not recommending breaking the rules on communication - just changing the rules!)
THAT's my RANT!
Stepping back off soap box - the floor is now yours!