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/96284
N e w s Fr o m H Q Defending the Future of Homebuilts More regulation does not mean more safety There's one goal everyone agrees on: Continuing to improve and enhance safety in all of aviation, including amateur-built aircraft, is a top priority. Without improving safety, all the rest of our flying rights and privileges in homebuilts and other aircraft are open to further scrutiny and regulation. Since the National Transportation Safety Board released its study and 16 recommendations for improving amateurbuilt safety on May 22, EAA has been reviewing and analyzing those recommendations and what they could mean to individuals who want to build and fly aircraft. EAA officials have talked with the volunteer members of our Homebuilt Aircraft Council as well as to those in the industry, the flying community, and government about the possible ramifications of those NTSB recommendations. If we do not improve ground and flight safety or create cultural, technical, and educational opportunities to do so, it could bring more regulation. That would hamper those who want to become part of the homebuilt community and hurt all of us in the long run. EAA has always maintained education is more effective than regulation to raise the safety bar. That's why we're working with the FAA General Aviation Joint Steering Committee, type clubs, kit manufacturers, and others to improve safety programs. EAA also formally commented to the FAA in October on where we agree and disagree with the NTSB. EAA agrees with some of the 16 NTSB recommendations, including: • encouraging additional flight training prior to conducting flight tests or transitioning into a new amateur-built aircraft • partnering with the FAA to create a current listing of amateur-built aircraft approved for flight training • identifying when a second pilot may be allowed on a test flight as a safety observer • building a coalition of kit manufacturers, type clubs, and others to build "best practices" guidance for those who fly homebuilt aircraft. There are other recommendations where EAA disagrees, mostly because it would create cost, paperwork, and/or technical requirements that would keep people away from building and flying aircraft. Those where we disagree include: • mandated functional test of aircraft fuel systems • required FAA approval of initial and completed flighttest programs • compulsory use of electronic data recording during test flights • the requirement that an aircraft owner must create an aircraft flight manual before moving into Phase 2 operations. EAA's Technical Counselor and Flight Advisor programs are essential building blocks to improve safety. We'll be refining and improving those programs so they are even more effective for those who use them. What can you do? Think safety and act safely at all times by doing such things as: • Always seek transition training before test flying or flying any unfamiliar aircraft. • Stay proficient as a pilot while building an aircraft. • Don't be a test pilot unless you're qualified and current in that make and model of aircraft. Finally, be a high safety standard for others at your airport. EAA will do its part to protect the future of amateur-built aircraft, but all involved must also play a role in continually improving safety. Our actions now will determine our freedoms in the future. 6 NO. 4/ DECEMBER 2012