Experimenter

JAN 2013

Experimenter is a magazine created by EAA for people who build airplanes. We will report on amateur-built aircraft as well as ultralights and other light aircraft.

Issue link: http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/101874

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Who Uses the Checklist? Who uses the Amateur-Built Fabrication and Assembly Checklist (2009) Job Aid? When does the FAA use it? The NKET, a team of FAA specialists from around the country who travel to kit producers' facilities, uses the checklist to perform initial kit evaluations. What other uses are there for the checklist? When either commercial assistance or significant changes have occurred in the fabrication and assembly of approved kits, the checklist becomes invaluable. Also, any kit that has never been evaluated by the FAA will be evaluated in the field at the time of certification, using the 2009 checklist. The checklist is also used when someone is building a kit that has never been evaluated or is making significant changes to a kit that has previously been approved by either the old checklist or the new one. When does an amateur builder need to use the new checklist? An amateur builder should use it when he is planning to work on a nonevaluated kit or when contemplating using commercial assistance on either an evaluated or a nonevaluated kit. The amateur builder also should think about using the checklist when considering changes to an approved kit. It could very well be that more work will be done by the amateur, but it also could be that the changes will simplify and reduce work. In any event, your designated airworthiness representative or other FAA representative may want to see the checklist as proof you are in compliance with the major portion rule before they issue the certificate of airworthiness, without which you may only have a nice piece of artwork and not a legal-to-fly aircraft. Thankfully, the FAA.gov website has an abundance of information on this and other subjects of concern to all amateur builders. We're fortunate to have ready access to this information, and all are encouraged to seek out this information and start to understand what it means to all of us who build our own aircraft. EAA presented a webinar on the subject of using the checklist, and you can view it here. I'm certain you will be much better educated and informed after seeing it. Joe Gauthier is a member of the EAA Homebuilt Aircraft Council and an FAA designated airworthiness representative. EAA Experimenter 55

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