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/90184
Safety Wire Family V airplanes have nontraditional or unfamiliar airplane systems operations. A light-sport aircraft example is the Flight Design CTSW. 1. Family V aircraft are defined as aircraft with en- gine, avionics, fuel systems, etc. that require operational practices that are outside the normal procedures used in standard category airplanes, e.g., Rotax engines. Although an experienced pilot, he had only fl own the aircraſt for a 30-minute orientation fl ight previous to the day of the accident. 2. A typical accident would be similar to the iconic ac- cident of John Denver. Wikipedia states the follow- ing information on the John Denver accident: "The singer-songwriter John Denver died while flying a Long-EZ on October 12, 1997. The NTSB believes that he inadvertently pushed on his right rudder pedal while twisting to the left in his seat as he struggled to operate the fuel selector valve. Contributing fac- tors in the crash were other pilot errors, a design that led to an overly optimistic preflight fuel-check estimate, a known defective (very hard to turn) fuel valve, and nonstandard placement of the fuel selec- tor valve by the kit plane's builder, at variance with Burt Rutan's specs." Even though Denver was aware of the faulty valve prior to takeoff, he had not refueled the aircraft. Although an experienced pilot, he had only flown the aircraft for a 30-minute orientation flight previous to the day of the accident. The NTSB cited the original builder's decision to locate the unmarked fuel selector handle in a hard- to-access position and the use of unmarked, nonlin- ear, fuel quantity sight gauges. The NTSB also cited Denver's inadequate transition training and his total lack of experience in this type airplane. 3. Transition hazards: a. Type-certificated (TC'd) airplanes have stan- dardized instrument panel layouts and system control locations that are very similar between airplanes. Pilots who are accustomed to operat- ing flaps, fuel systems, retractable landing gear, 38 NO. 3/NOVEMBER 2012 4. Recommended training is as follows: a. Ground training must provide sufficient time sit- ting in the cockpit (while on the ground) to learn the location and correct function of all controls and switches. This recommendation even extends to the point when the pilot is capable of per- Photography by Jim Koepnick and engine controls in TC'd airplanes usually can transition between models without the need for extensive training. b. Experimental airplanes may have every aspect customized to the individual builder's preference, which includes installing systems not found in TC'd airplanes. Also, even familiar instruments and controls may be placed in unfamiliar locations on the panel or in the cockpit area. Because these airplanes are custom built, there are likely to be significant differences even between identical models of a particular design. One large hazard in operating such airplanes is the potential for system misuse or mismanagement, which can result in an inadvertently induced abnormal or emergency situation. c. Unlike TC'd airplanes, experimental airplanes do not usually have extensive pilot's operating handbooks (POHs) or other documentation outlin- ing the unique nature of the airplanes' installed systems or controls. This places the entire burden of becoming familiar with the airplane's specific systems and controls upon the pilot. Ensure that you can identify every system and control location and function on the airplane before flying it.