Experimental


Experimental 

We currently own two experimental airplanes, a KitFox 2 and a Van's RV7. The FAA definition for experimentals is as follows: 
A special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category is issued to operate an aircraft that does not have a type certificate or does not conform to its type certificate and is in a condition for safe operation.  Additionally, this certificate is issued to operate a primary category kit-built aircraft that was assembled without the supervision and quality control of the production certificate holder.
I'm not crazy about the F.A.A.'s definition, which makes it sound as if experimentals are inherently more dangerous than factory-built airplanes.The truth is, about 8000 Vans RV7, kit-built airplanes have been completed and are being flown. 99.9% are doing it safely. That's not to mention all the other Vans kits--RV6, RV8, RV9, RV10, RV14, that have been safely built as well. And, there are other kit manufactures besides Vans.  

Before Mike could solo the RV7, which took six years to build in his spare time, it needed to pass an air-worthiness inspection by a F.A.A. certified airplane mechanic.

If you know someone who owns a kit-built airplane and you would like to take a ride, but wonder if it is safe, I would suggest that you not worry as much about the airplane as the pilot's overall experience. That goes for any kind of airplane he or she might be flying. Is he a low-time pilot? In other words, does he have less than 100 hours of flying recorded in his logbook? But even if he is a low-time pilot, does he have good judgment? If so, don't worry too much. Those are the questions I would ask myself, rather than whether or not an airplane has been stamped with the word experimental.  

The picture below is of our "luggage compartment." For whatever reason, the F.A.A. requires that experimental be written prominently on several parts of the airplane. A plaque on the instrument panel even states that it doesn't meet with certain F.A.A. requirements. I guess it's so that the passenger can't say he didn't know. 

Mike put his own sign below the plaque ...
"...doesn't meet certain F.A.A. requirements ..." (F.A.A. mandated)
"... but sure is a lot more fun ..." (Mike's retort)


Have you ever flown in a kit-built airplane? How did you like it?



Comments

  1. Sharon HimslApril 5, 2014 at 12:20 PM

    HI Cathy. This is excellent advice for someone wanting to go for a ride in an experimental. "Safety first" as I always say, goes for the pilot as much as the home-built. I happen to know how difficult and laborious is was for Vince to build his RV8. He's a perfectionist, so I know it was built with precision. I also know how hard he studies and practices being a safe pilot. "Know your driver and builder" would be my best advice!
    Shells–Tales–Sails

    ReplyDelete
  2. Comley CharlotteApril 5, 2014 at 1:08 PM

    Thanks for visiting and following my blog, I love yours!

    ReplyDelete
  3. MelindaApril 5, 2014 at 5:34 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MelindaApril 5, 2014 at 5:35 PM

    Let's try again.

    A no and don't plan too!

    M :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. LisaApril 8, 2014 at 8:20 AM

    My dad started to build a kit airplane and never could finish it. He ended up selling it, so it wasn't a total loss! I see nothing "wrong" with kit airplanes, as the person who builds it is usually going to be the pilot, they'd make sure it was done correctly! What a lovely place you live in. Lucky you! Great post! Came over from the #atozchallenge2014

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