One of the most passionately debated topics with other experimental builders is what your data plate really means. Under my Aircraft Type: RV-9A. Under my Manufacture: Builder?s Name and Builder Address.
Now, if you look at the NTSB accident reports for experimental aircraft, and search for a kit-manufacture?s name, you will only find aircraft that they actually built. If you search for type such as RV, you will find all of that type along with many manufacture?s names. What this tells me is that I?m really the Manufacture of my airplane, and Van?s is only one of the OEM parts providers. This is what my wife has been telling me for years: ?Van?s supplies the parts and the dream, and you build the airplane?. However, this gives me the freedom to make my own decisions on modifications, on custom equipment and on maintenance practices for that airplane. Most builders agree with that, but when it comes to product liability, builders seem sharply divided. My personal feeling is that since the builder is the manufacture, he assumes that responsibility in exchange for the vast freedom and privileges he now has. For us, that is a very small price to pay for what you get.
My own research shows that RV accident statistics are only about 11 percent of the total experimental feet, and RV?s have roughly the same accident rate as the Cessna's if you compare the ratio of total feet type to total accidents of that fleet type. I also found that accidents seem to happen in either case for about the same reasons (not generally equipment failure). If you think about that for a moment, given 4,500 flying RV?s, these are truly amazing statistics given that there are so many different manufactures out there for RV's.
What is your opinion?
If you are a DAR, what is your understanding?
Now, if you look at the NTSB accident reports for experimental aircraft, and search for a kit-manufacture?s name, you will only find aircraft that they actually built. If you search for type such as RV, you will find all of that type along with many manufacture?s names. What this tells me is that I?m really the Manufacture of my airplane, and Van?s is only one of the OEM parts providers. This is what my wife has been telling me for years: ?Van?s supplies the parts and the dream, and you build the airplane?. However, this gives me the freedom to make my own decisions on modifications, on custom equipment and on maintenance practices for that airplane. Most builders agree with that, but when it comes to product liability, builders seem sharply divided. My personal feeling is that since the builder is the manufacture, he assumes that responsibility in exchange for the vast freedom and privileges he now has. For us, that is a very small price to pay for what you get.
My own research shows that RV accident statistics are only about 11 percent of the total experimental feet, and RV?s have roughly the same accident rate as the Cessna's if you compare the ratio of total feet type to total accidents of that fleet type. I also found that accidents seem to happen in either case for about the same reasons (not generally equipment failure). If you think about that for a moment, given 4,500 flying RV?s, these are truly amazing statistics given that there are so many different manufactures out there for RV's.
What is your opinion?
If you are a DAR, what is your understanding?
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