Netheads: In today's EAA Experimenter magazine (email and online, for free, in case you don't get it, and Pat Panzera's the editor), among other interesting things they mentioned that a weight and balance sheet was not necessarily required in experimentals. There was a link to an FAQ that was full of interesting stuff (http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/qa/default.asp). But the next to last answer was news to me. I'm not soliciting a bunch of "that's a really bad idea" posts or anything like that, but thought it was worthy of passing on to the group. It goes like this:
Q: I?ve just finished building my Pietenpol, which is an experimental amateur-built aircraft that meets the LSA definition. I?m ready to begin the phase-one flight testing. I?m a student pilot working toward my sport pilot certificate and I don?t hold a current medical. Is it legal for me to do the flight testing as a student pilot? Can a student pilot fly an experimental aircraft at all? A: Let?s take the second part of your question first. There is no regulatory prohibition on a student pilot (sport pilot or otherwise) flying an experimental aircraft. Pilot requirements, privileges, and limitations are found in 14 CFR Part 61, and student pilot privileges and limitations are specifically found in subpart C. There is no specific limitation in that section prohibiting a student pilot from flying an aircraft with an experimental airworthiness certificate. Now let?s look at the first part of your question regarding a student pilot (sport pilot or otherwise) flying an experimental aircraft during flight testing. Certification requirements for the pilot in command of an experimental aircraft are not found in the FAA regulations themselves but rather in the operating limitations of the individual aircraft. These operating limitations are issued by the FAA as a part of the aircraft?s airworthiness certificate and will vary depending on exactly what type of airworthiness certificate the aircraft holds. For an amateur-built aircraft such as your Pietenpol, the operating limitations will contain the following statement: ?The pilot in command of this aircraft must hold a pilot certificate or an authorized instructor?s logbook endorsement. The pilot in command must meet the requirements of ยง 61.31(e), (f), (g), (h), (i), and (j) as appropriate.? Note that the pilot may hold a pilot certificate (which would include sport pilot) or an authorized instructor?s endorsement. This would open the door for a properly endorsed student pilot (including a sport pilot student) to fly the aircraft. The limitation makes no distinction between phase-one flight testing and phase-two normal operations. This limitation is in place for all operations. The limitation does go on to require any appropriate endorsements called out by 14 CFR 61.31(e) though (j). The most common of these endorsements are for tailwheel aircraft, high-performance aircraft, and complex aircraft. The only endorsement applicable to the Pietenpol would be the tailwheel endorsement, so the instructor would have to endorse the student appropriately before allowing him or her to solo a tailwheel aircraft as well as give the standard solo endorsement in order to be in compliance with this operating limitation. Remember that, if the student seeks to solo an aircraft that does not meet the definition of a light-sport aircraft he/she would also need to hold a 3rd class FAA medical certificate. This would be the case whether the aircraft holds a standard or special (such as experimental) airworthiness certificate. The question you did not ask, but one I will answer anyway, is whether it is smart for a student pilot to perform the flight testing on an experimental aircraft. This is the most important question, and the answer is, no, it is not a good idea for a student pilot to perform flight testing on a new amateur-built aircraft. The purpose of flight testing is to verify the aircraft?s handling characteristics and make sure it does not have any issues that would affect the safety of flight. Flight testing a new aircraft should be left to experienced pilots who are familiar with the normal handling characteristics of the aircraft being tested and are prepared to handle possible emergency situations that might arise. A student pilot does not have the background and experience to identify abnormal handling characteristics and may not be prepared to handle an emergency situation if one should present itself. So while it may be technically legal for a student pilot (sport pilot or otherwise) to fly an aircraft during the initial flight-test period, I strongly discourage this. Find an appropriate test pilot to perform the flight tests on the aircraft, then find a qualified instructor to check you out in the aircraft after it has been tested. ----------------------------------- Like I said, check out http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/qa/default.asp for more interesting stuff that might shed some light on things... Mark Langford N56ML "at" hiwaay.net website at http://www.N56ML.com --------------------------------------------------------
