I don't have the exact answer, but I was going to call the inspector I was dealing with at the FSDO about my plane and ask about upping my gross also.
One thing I do know is that he needs to check the existing operating limitations. N4DD had the operating limitations issued a long time ago, but I assume that there is a limitation stating that the FAA must be notified of any major alteration and a response received in writing before being flown. I had this limitation and that is why I had to contact the FSDO on mine. They made me do a new weight and ballance and a new five hour test period. According to FAA Order 8130.2D and the letter from the FAA I need to show that the aircraft complies with 91.319(b) and record this in the aircraft records with the following or a similarly worded statement: "I certify that the prescribed flight test hours have been completed and the aircraft is controllable throughout its normal range of speeds and throughout all manuvers to be executed, has no hazerdous operating characteristics or design features, and is safe for operation. The following aircraft operating data has been demonstrated during the flight testing: speeds Vso____, Vx______, and Vy_____, and the weight____, and CG location_____ at which they were obtained." I am assuming that since I am doing a new weight and ballance and establishing new V speeds that I can establish a new gross weight also. I will clarify this with the inspector and will also see if I need to test fly the plane at the gross weight and record it in the logbook. I will post my findings. Interestingly enough, the FAA order also asks for the same logbook entry with the V speeds for newly certified homebuilts. During the flight testing seminar at the gathering several people stated that they have never established their V speeds. I believe that all homebuilts need these speeds established and put in the logbook before they can carry passengers or leave the test area. Tonight I heard from Rick Lanning, the new owner of Dan Diehl's N4DD KR2. He's about to reregister it, and had this question. The plane weighs 721 pounds now with the 0-200 in it, and it holds about 30 gallons of fuel. With a passenger he's going to be way over the gross weight called out in the plans. Now, I know that if you're the guy that BUILDS it, you can establish the gross weight just about wherever you want to. But if it's already been registered before, and you haven't made any real changes to it, can you just arbitrarily jack up the gross weight and set to to something like 1300 if you feel the need? The DAR is coming next week, and he's wondering what his data plate needs to read by then. I just signed him up for KRnet, so he'll be online shortly. Thanks, Mark Langford, Huntsville, AL N56ML "at" hiwaay.net see KR2S project at http://home.hiwaay.net/~langford _______________________________________________ see KRnet list details at http://www.krnet.org/instructions.htm
