Message-ID: <011c01c1628e$475adde0$685af93f@oemcomputer>
Reply-To: "Larry Graves" <larry@aircraftersllc.com>
Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
From: "Larry Graves" <larry@aircraftersllc.com>
To: <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
Cc: "Dave Saylor" <dave@aircraftersllc.com>
References: <20011031055039.AAA16807@pop3.olsusa.com> <016801c1621f$1d536f40$82cca443@roylok1.mi.home.com>
Subject: Builder Assistance
Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2001 20:31:21 -0800
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To Ed, Dave, Rob, Skip and all, the dialogue here on builder assistance is
good and I have refrained from commenting for a bit, but now I would like to
add a few comments and thoughts for the group.

I believe the FAA would say their primary intent in creating the major
portion rule FAR 91.121(g), Advisory Circular 20-139A and publication
8130.2(D) is to "safeguard the public" from uncertified production of
aircraft.

If an individual wants to build a plane and fly it, that's fine. If an
individual wants to buy a flying aircraft, and buys something he erroneously
believes is certified or built "professionally" to certified standards, well
that's not OK, and the regulators see this as a hazard to the public safety.

So, the dilemma goes, how can the government "allow" people to build and
fly, yet prevent backyard assembly lines from producing planes and selling
them to an unwary public?

The regulation and advisory publications also attempt to define the amateur
builder, and for a brief synopsis of all the definitions and issues, I'd
recommend that you go to our website (see below) and read the page titled
"The 51% Rule."

I think there is a huge need and a big market for education and assistance
in the experimental aircraft world. I put my money where my mouth is and in
1998 formed a company to provide these services to people who can appreciate
and use them. There is no way a person building an aircraft for the first
time can possibly know all the things a group of A&Ps and IAs who have been
building experimental airplanes for years know.

My business partner and I decided to concentrate the wisdom of a dozen
experienced mechanics, builders and educators in one place and help people
build safer more airworthy planes. Here, they do it in a shorter amount of
time than they could working alone without support. The concept seems to be
working well. Owners have to come here at least periodically and perform the
fabrication and assembly operations required by the FAA to qualify as
amateur builders. This has nothing to do with hours of labor, or even with
"half the plane."

The kitplane manufacturers have figured this out and are now offering
factory fastbuild options where an owner goes to the factory and "drinks
from the fire hose" to get their major airframe components put together in
short order. We recommend everyone do this. There is still plenty of work
for the owners (and for us) to do after the fastbuild kit comes home!

We have taken a very high-profile approach with the FAA and have established
good working relationships with the local FSDO safety inspectors, local DARs
and IAs. We don't try to hide what we are doing, in fact, we want the FAA to
understand who we are, and that our two primary concerns are 1) being a
soundly-run, profitable business, and 2) making experimental aircraft (and
their pilots) safer and less prone to mishap.

We hope to convince the regulators and the builder community that this sort
of service, provided conscientiously and professionally, is in the best
interests of all. We are working with the EAA, kitplane manufacturers and
the insurance industry to increase awareness of safety issues in using
builder education and assistance services while building and flying
experimentals. We are working hard to create the concept of authorized
service centers for many types of experimental kitplanes, so that we can
provide inspection, repair, maintenance and modification services to owners
who may not be original builders, or who just want a little help.

I think responsible businesses must conduct ongoing training for their
employees and must vigilantly monitor the quality of their work product. If
they don't, they will soon be out of business. The marketplace is brutally
direct and honest, and tolerates very few mistakes. It is a good customer in
that respect. Better, in fact than any regulatory body I can think of in
keeping us on our toes.

Best Regards,

Larry Graves
AirCrafters Builder Education Center
140 Aviation Way, Watsonville, CA 95076
Tel: 831-722-9141 Fax: 831-722-9142
www.AirCraftersLLC.com


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