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/134623
Hangar Debrief Other than the purpose for which the certificate was issued; or Carrying persons or property for compensation or hire." Recognizing that forcing instructors to provide their aircraft for free could cut down on the available training, the FAA provides a solution through a Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA). Reading ahead in FAR 91.319, paragraph (h), permits the FAA to issue a LODA to an applicant for the purpose of flight training, circumventing the "no compensation or hire" requirement. Once the LODA is issued, it permits the applicant to provide flight training for hire in that experimental aircraft. However, transition training can be difcult to fnd or simply unavailable for a specifc model of aircraf. So, to provide training in an experimental amateur-built (E-AB) aircraft for compensation, you will need a LODA. How do you get one? This is how I did it. First, I did some Internet research. It was surprising how little information is available, so I moved on to more traditional resources. I placed a call to my local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), and we discussed my intentions for getting a LODA. Since it's a relatively uncommon procedure, the office needed to do some research first. As it turns out, there are fewer than 100 training LODAs across the country! When the FSDO promptly got back to me, it directed me to Flight Standards Information Management Systems (FSIMS) 8900.1, Volume 3, Chapter 11, Section 1. That document completely outlines the requirements for requesting a LODA in Paragraph 3-293 C. It talks about the application package that you must submit to the local FSDO which must include a letter containing: 1. The name and address of the applicant. 2. The name and contact information of the person responsible for the operation. 3. Details of the type of training. 4. The specific aircraft make(s) and model(s) to be used. 5. A copy of the airworthiness certificate for the aircraft to be used. 42 Vol.2 N o.6 / June 2013 6. The aircraft's FAA issued operating limitations And a training program containing: 1. description of each type of audiovisual aid, mockup, chart, aircraft component, and other special training aids used in any associated ground training (if applicable). 2. description of each flight simulator or flight training device (FTD) used in any associated training (if applicable). 3. A description of any special equipment used for each phase of training. 4. The qualifications and ratings for each instructor providing flight training or ground training. The prerequisites for persons receiving ground and flight training include: 1. Minimum pilot certificate 2. Ratings 3. Endorsements (e.g., tailwheel, high performance, complex) 4. Training experience 5. Knowledge requirements 6. A description of each unit of instruction, including the objectives, standards, and planned time for completion. 7. The expected accomplishments and the standards for each stage of training. The training program documentation was the most time-consuming part of the application, but it's important because the inspector will use it to determine if the training meets its objectives. Since my objective is transition training in an RV-8, I used Van's transition training program as a guide. My application was very straightforward, but be sure to read through the full sixpage FSIMS document to check for any special cases that may apply to you. After preparing the application package, I delivered it to the Nashville FSDO. Other than the required condition inspection within the past 100 hours, there is no aircraft inspection required, and I incurred very little expense during the process. In just over two weeks I had my authorization in hand. I can't say enough about the cooperation of the FSDO personnel and their help. If you decide to apply for a training LODA, I hope you have the same rewarding experience that I did! Randy Hooper, EAA 438870, is a Lifetime EAA member and serves on the Homebuilt Aircraft Council.