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
forming a military-style "blind cockpit test" that requires controls and switches to be located from memory. It is important for the pilot not to fly the airplane until gaining a thorough familiarity with the cockpit layout, including seeking any available advice from previous airplane operators and the kit vendor. b. Flight training recommendations are as follows: i. Best training is accomplished in your specific airplane with a well-qualified instructor who is experienced in the specific make and model. ii. Second-best training source is information from, and from flying with the previous owner, if you purchased your aircraft already built. iii. All training should emphasize the reasons why the installed controls are the way they are and what operational characteristics they have. This should include covering any unusual handling characteristics that may arise from application of a control or system that may catch the pilot off guard. Again, be sure that you explore your plane's handling qualities under safe, supervised conditions. Transition Training for Family VI Airplanes Family VI airplanes have nontraditional or unfam- iliar airplane system or component maintenance requirements. A light-sport airplane example in development is the Terrafugia Transition road- able airplane. 1. Family VI aircraft are defined as aircraft that have engine, propellers, fuel systems, avion- ics, etc. that require practices outside of the normal procedures used in standard cate- gory airplanes. 2. A typical accident involves an aircraft component failure caused by improper assembly or mainte- nance. The example provided is of a stainless-steel horizontal stabilizer "L" attachment bracket that failed in flight, causing the right horizontal stabilizer to separate from the fuselage. Fortunately, the on- board flight instructor was able to land the airplane after some abrupt pitch excursions. The accident was determined to be caused by a fatigue failure of the attachment bracket. In turn, this was the result of a loose bolt in the fitting caused by improper maintenance procedures. 3. Transition hazards: a. Manufacturers of TC'd airplanes, as well as their systems and components, provide support- ing maintenance and repair documentation that shows owners and maintenance personnel how to properly maintain and repair their airplane. These documents are readily available from several sources and easily accessed by anyone maintain- ing or repairing the airplane. b. Experimental airplanes typically do not have extensive maintenance and repair documentation available. In addition, they may incorporate components and sys- tems not found on TC'd airplanes. Maintenance and repair information on these components and systems may be diffi cult to fi nd or even unavailable. 4. Recommended training is as follows: a. Ground training on the specific maintenance pro- cedure is the main requirement for this group, as it is defined by unique maintenance requirements that lead to issues of improper maintenance. Own- ers and operators should seek all possible infor- mation sources and develop maintenance proce- dures that will ensure early detection of potential maintenance problems or continued airworthiness issues. Regular attendance at aviation events will also expose the owners/operators to others who operate similar airplanes, thus providing a venue for information sharing. Owners and operators should seek all possible information sources and develop maintenance procedures that will ensure early detection of potential maintenance problems or continued airworthiness issues. b. EAA offers both print and electronic publications that will support the maintenance and opera- tion of experimental airplanes. Type clubs and their related websites provide a good source of information on the operation and maintenance of these airplanes, as well as a method of contact- ing other operators. c. The current edition of AC 43.13-1, Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices – Aircraft EAA EXPERIMENTER 39