Message-ID: <000501c0214d$0989d440$c66b1b3f@oemcomputer>
Reply-To: "dfs" <dfs@gateway.net>
Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
From: "dfs" <dfs@gateway.net>
To: "Lancair List" <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
Subject: Re: Conversation with FSDO re: airworthiness
Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2000 01:46:39 -0700
Mime-Version: 1.0

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Boy! is it ever true that it all depends on the particular FSDO you're
dealing with. A couple years ago, while participating in our annual "Air
Fair" at Torrance, CA, my 235 was on display in the homebuilt area. While
just sitting there minding my own business answering the questions from the
peple walking by, a group of about 7 - 8 people approached, all sporting
large badges proclaiming them to be from the "Friendly Aviation
Administration" and that they would like to do a ramp check of my airplane.
(Regardless of the fact that the participants had been told that this would
not take place at the show!).

It turned out, actually, that there was one regular FAA inspector and six
trainees and what he really wanted was to give them some training in how to
do said ramp check. Well, since they were all suits and ties, I was not
about to get the guy's hackles up (the prop card plainly told where my
Lancair was based) so agreed. (Seems that the guy was intent on training the
neophytes on how to be stern and look knowing and ask intimidating
questions, in my view).

Long story short, when the questions got around to my engine, during the
conversation I (stupidly) volunteered something like "... of course, though
it's a pretty standard Lycoming, I understand that just putting it in an
experimental airplane means that it's certification is permanently lost, and
I should take the data plate off, I was just afraid to do that since it
looks like the rivets holding it on might go all the way through the case".
I can only speak for the fellow I talked to but his response was "Nonsense!!
Your engine can be inspected and certified by a licensed mechanic and sold
as certified only if the data plate is not removed".

Go figure!

Dan Schaefer


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