Experimenter

FEB 2015

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/457474

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EAA Experimenter 7 EAA IS IN ONGOING discussions with FAA to ensure that experimental amateur- built owners are not forgotten as the FAA looks toward the January 1, 2020, man- date for equipping aircraft with automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast ADS-B avionics. Historically, builders and owners of experimental aircraft have been able to install avionics that meet the perfor- mance standards of certifi ed equipment but are not specifi cally approved by the FAA. Even in IFR-equipped aircraft, avionics do not have to be approved devices and can be installed by the aircraft builder or by an A&P; mechanic. EAA seeks to preserve that historical precedent for ADS-B equipment instal- lation as well. "The latitude within the amateur- built regulations includes the ability to meet the required performance standards in the ADS-B mandate through means other than certifi ed avionics and profes- sional installers," said Sean Elliott, EAA's vice president of Advocacy and Safety. "EAA wants to maintain the culture of innovation and education that has been a hallmark of our community, and the FAA appears willing to help fi nd a path forward for us." While the 2020 ADS-B mandate ap- plies to all aircraft that will operate with- in controlled airspace, there are unique provisions and opportunities within the amateur-built regulations that may allow owners of experimental aircraft to meet the requirements with greater fl exibility and potentially lower cost. Specifi cally that could mean, for instance, the ability for a builder to individually install certi- fi ed ADS-B systems, or seek out non- certifi ed ADS-B systems that meet the mandate's performance standards. "Our point to the FAA is that we sup- port the agency's desire for full compli- ance with the 2020 mandate, provided cost-ef ective options are available," Elliott said. "The amateur-built regula- tions allow individuals to fully comply with the requirements in their own way and at a potentially lower price point. There is still work to do, but EAA is committed to preserving the rights and opportunities allowed within amateur- built regulations in all areas, including ADS-B installation." EAA Making Sure Amateur-Builts Not Forgotten in ADS-B Mandate AFTER A LONG AND exhaustive search for "just the right plane," EAA is pleased to announce the 2015 EAA Aircraft Sweepstakes grand prize, and it's familiar: a Piper J-3 Cub, meticulously restored by Ellis Clark, EAA 71644, of Solvang, California. Entries are now being accepted at www.EAA.org/sweepstakes , and entry coupons will be packaged with the February issues of Sport Aviation. The lucky winning entry will be selected at 5 p.m. CDT on September 30, 2015. Looking for an airplane worthy of being the grand prize for the EAA sweepstakes was not an easy task for John Hopkins, EAA's manager of Aircraft Maintenance. However, after answer- ing an ad on eBay for a Cub in Michigan, Hopkins had a pretty good feeling he'd found the one. "When I called the owner and began talking with him, I knew this would be the one," Hopkins said. "He was very particular, and after I laid my eyes on it, I couldn't blame him—this Cub is perfect! It was everything I was hoping it would be and then some." Clark said he's proud the airplane was chosen for the sweepstakes. "When I was approached, I almost got cold feet and be- gan to wonder if I should sell it," he said. "But when I found out this Cub would become the 2015 EAA sweepstakes airplane, I realized it would end up in a good home, because I knew there would be an excellent chance that an EAA member would be the lucky winner. I plan on go- ing to Oshkosh to see the airplane in all its glory at AirVenture." You can read all about this old-school beauty in the January edition of Sport Avia- tion. Second-place sweepstakes prize is an EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016 VIP Package valued at more than $3,500. Cash donations for sweepstakes entries support EAA's education programs. For more information, including full sweepstakes rules, visit www.EAA.org/sweepstakes . Win the Perfect Cub Photography by Jason Toney

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