flight test program

[Jerrytex]

Anyone have a flight test program that they have used to get their airworthiness inspection? Like to to get an idea on wha I need to have in it.

Also I have read that the pitot system has to have been checked or certified. Is this the case and if so, does anyone know how to go about getting that done?

I am in contact with the FAA scheduling my inspection and I want to have all my ducks in a row.

Any other pointers or bits of advice are welcome.

Thanks

[kitfox2009]

Hello JerryTex

If you go to http://www.eaa1000.av.org/technicl/instcal/instcal.htm they explain how to do this. I did my Vixen last year before inspection.

Works great.

Have fun.

Don

[cap01]

the dar that inspected mine never mentioned a pitot test . i had accomplished the pitot test but nothing was documented . as it turned out , it was good that i had done the test , since the surgical tube that connected the pitot tube to the poly hose had rotted . i would have had zero airspeed on first flight . for the test i had access to a manometer which worked good .

[dholly]

These FAA Advisory Circulars contain a wealth of helpful information for builders:

- AC 20-27G (Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft) CLICK HERE (http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC%2020-27G.pdf)


Lotsa other good stuff in the FAA Library if you have patience to sift through it.

Good luck with your inspection!

[Jerrytex]

Thanks for all the info. I have read through the AC's and get the idea of what the flight test is but I'd like to find someone that has a copy of their flight test to see what format was used. I am a little stumped on how to write it all up in a way that makes sense and is in a useable format and also passes muster with the FAA. I hope that makes sense?

[Slyfox]

my advice, get a hold of the FSDO in YOUR area, or the DAR, and get what they want you to do. Asking someone like me and what I had to do will not do you any good. Your going to have to do what your people want YOU to do. period.

[t j]

I have not heard of an inspector wanting to see a Flight test plan. It is a good idea to have one though. let me see if this works. I'll try to attach the one I got from a Military test pilot kitfox builder about 10 years ago. It is an excellent plan. Not all items are specific to every kitfox but you can use what you want. If you print it be ready for 280 pages.

Edit: Well, it didn't attach. It's 293 KB. The limit here is 19. let me know if you want me to email it to you.

[Slyfox]

What I'm getting out of his test flight plan is not going up and circleing overhead, removing the cowl and looking things over...

I'm getting that he wants to know what the requirments are to get the airplane through certification. Correct me if I'm wrong. If it's the later, he needs to get a hold of the person doing the inspection and get a list of things they want.

If it's the previous than I can gives some good advice on that subject.

[Jerrytex]

I have talked to a couple of people that have gone through the process and have a basic understanding of what I need. A real good guide as someone mentioned is AC 90-89. I am just going to take relevant items from this guide and incorporate it into my flight test plan. I am going to list out the things that I wish to accomplish and document that they did or did not occur. i.e. make sure the plane does what it's supposed to do when it's supposed to do it.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

Should have a test flight in the near future!

[horsepower]

I just had my DAR inspection a couple weeks ago,everything went well until he got to my ELT,he asked where my remote switch was and I didnt have one.I put in a used ELT which is fine for a used plane but will not pass on a new experimental built plane.It must be C91a and not the old C91.He asked me if I had read the AC90-89 flight test procedure which I had.I also had a nice billet aluminum fuel filter that I had to remove and replace it with a cheapo seethru plastic one.They have to have a bypass spring in the filter if it is not a seethru type so he let me switch it while he was there.Other than that things went well.A FAA guy came with the DAR as he has to be checked out by the FAA once a year so I got a double whammy.Slyfox is right call your local FSDO and they will help you more than you think.I went through Spokane Washington and they were all helpful. Good Luck Randy

[Jerrytex]

Randy,

So you didn't need a written flight test plan?

I was originally going to use the FAA for the inspection so I wanted to make sure I had EVERYTHING that I needed because I heard some of the inspectors can be very critical on every piece of paperwork. Now I switched to using a DAR so I can bounce ideas or questions off of him but I would still like to have my ducks in a row and make the inspection as easy as I can for him.

That's a drag about the filter. I just bought and installed a billet aluminum filter because I was leary of the glass filters. I'll run this by the DAR I am using and see if I need to go back to the "cheesy" glass filter.

Thanks

Jerry

[t j]

Its interesting that there are people inspecting experimental aircraft that don't have an understanding of the purpose and requirements of experimental aircraft. As noted though, its best to find out what your inspector wants to see.

[Slyfox]

the best advice I can give on the flights after the inspection is to document every flight in the log books until you reach the 50 hrs. There are some things to do and I think that is what you need. I can't quit remember, but they are stalls and such along with airspeed checks. Just document those things, once you get the inspection, the faa don't give a squat about you any more. The only thing left is to do the 50 and document or write your wording in the logs to remove yourself from phase 1. I did my own thing and circled the field for the first few hours and removed the cowl and inspected everything after each flight. My advice is to be smart and don't go wandering off, for if there is trouble, the airfield under you is a good feeling.

[horsepower]

Randy,

So you didn't need a written flight test plan?

I was originally going to use the FAA for the inspection so I wanted to make sure I had EVERYTHING that I needed because I heard some of the inspectors can be very critical on every piece of paperwork. Now I switched to using a DAR so I can bounce ideas or questions off of him but I would still like to have my ducks in a row and make the inspection as easy as I can for him.

That's a drag about the filter. I just bought and installed a billet aluminum filter because I was leary of the glass filters. I'll run this by the DAR I am using and see if I need to go back to the "cheesy" glass filter.

Thanks

Jerry
I had a copy of the AC 90-89 in my builders log,he saw that I had it in there and ask me if I had read it.That was about all their was to it on that subject.The biggest deal was the having all the placards such as fuel markings,experimental,passenger warning,etc.You even need to have Open and Close markings on your door.Also make sure all your switches are marked and if you use fuse holders make sure they are marked with the proper amps and have extra fuses in aircraft. Randy

[SaintAero]

EAA Flight Advisors can help with a flight test plan. The general idea is to accomplish two things:
1. Discover and fix any discrepancies.
2. Perform tests to either create or validate your POH.

You can easily spend the phase one time performing tests to determine or validate the POH parameters such as takeoff distance, climb rate, climb angle, stall speeds, best glide, etc. Performance parameters such as fuel flow and airspeeds will give you range and endurance. Controlled aft CG tests will give you loading restrictions. Some aerodynamics nerd can devise a test for neutral point determination and then calculate aft CG limits. The list goes on and on.

Enjoy the time to get to know your airplane. - Don

[Jerrytex]

Inspection done! Airworthiness certificate in hand!

Thanks to everyone that helped out with advice and answers.

Hope to have maiden flight next week.

[horsepower]

SWEET,Great feeling when that is over,good job..........Randy