FAA Form 1320–15 (4–82) Supersedes WA Form 1320–2
Date: 9/26/2003 AC No.: 20-27F Subject: CERTIFICATION AND
OPERATION OF
AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT Initiated by: AIR-200
1. PURPOSE OF THIS ADVISORY CIRCULAR (AC).
a. This AC gives you information and guidance on how to—
(1) Fabricate and assemble an amateur-built aircraft,
(2) Register your aircraft,
(3) Identify and mark your aircraft,
(4) Get your aircraft inspected and certificated,
(5) Flight test your aircraft,
(6) Operate your aircraft,
(7) Receive certification of an amateur-built aircraft purchased outside the United States, and
(8) Become a repairman for your amateur-built aircraft.
b. This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation. This AC describes an acceptable means, but not the only means, to comply with the certification requirements for amateur-built aircraft listed in Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 21, Certification Procedures for Products and Parts. However, if you use the means described in the AC, you should follow it in all important aspects.
c. Section 21.191(g) defines an amateur-built aircraft as an aircraft in which the major portion of the aircraft has been fabricated and assembled by persons who undertook the construction project solely for their own education or recreation.
d. Definitions of terms and sample forms and letters referenced in this AC are located in the appendixes. Lists of 14 CFR parts and publications related to this AC also are in the appendixes.
2. WHO THIS AC AFFECTS. This AC applies to anyone who seeks an airworthiness certificate for an amateur-built aircraft.
3. PRINCIPAL CHANGES FROM THE PREVIOUS VERSION OF THIS AC. This AC has been rewritten in plain language, including the use of more precise wording, descriptive headings, tables, figures, and active voice. This AC also follows the new format described in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 1320.46, Advisory Circular System; therefore, the overall organization of the AC has been changed.
4. DOCUMENT THIS AC CANCELS. This AC cancels AC 20-27E, dated September 26, 2001.
5. CERTIFYING AND OPERATING AN AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT. You should follow the steps in figure 1, in general order, when trying to get your airworthiness certificate. A detailed explanation of each step follows this flowchart (see paragraphs 6 through 14).
Figure 1 — Certifying and Operating an Amateur-Built Aircraft Applicant Contact the nearest FAA office (see appendix 1) for the guidance and information necessary to ensure you understand FAA regulations for your project (recommended). See paragraph 6.
È Applicant Design and construct the aircraft. See paragraph 7.
È Applicant Register the aircraft using Aeronautical Center Form (AC Form) 8050-1, Aircraft Registration Application (see appendix 5) (recommended 60 to 120 days before you finish construction).
See paragraph 8.
È Applicant Identify and mark the aircraft. See paragraph 9.
È Applicant Submit a formal application using FAA Form 8130-6, Application for Airworthiness Certificate (Amateur-Built) (see appendix 6), to the nearest FAA office. See paragraph 10.
È FAA Inspect the aircraft and determine aircraft eligibility. See paragraph 11.
È FAA Issue a special airworthiness certificate with appropriate operating limitations. See paragraph 12.
È Applicant Flight test the aircraft. See paragraph 13.
È Applicant Maintain the aircraft. See paragraph 14.
6. WHAT TO DO AND KNOW BEFORE BUILDING AN AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT.
a. We recommend that before you build your aircraft, you contact the nearest FAA office. Discuss the type of aircraft, its complexity, and its materials. Provide a three-view sketch, drawing, or photograph of the proposed aircraft project and the date you think you will finish. We should give you any guidance and information necessary to ensure you thoroughly understand the FAA regulations that apply to your project.
b. If you request them, we will give you all the forms you need to get your aircraft registered and certified. Refer to appendix 4 for a list of forms.
7. DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTING AN AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT.
a. Asking Others for Help.
(1) Contacting the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). You can get help from the EAA (see appendix 7 for contact information). The EAA promotes aviation safety and construction of amateur-built aircraft, and provides technical advice and help to its members. EAA’s Technical Counselors Program helps to ensure amateur-built aircraft are safe and dependable. EAA Technical Counselors may be available to visit an amateur-built aircraft project and offer to its members advice regarding workmanship. However, the EAA has advised the FAA that it does not provide technical help on designing an aircraft.
(2) Asking Other Persons With Expertise. During construction, you may ask persons with aviation design or engineering experience; other builders; mechanics with aircraft, airframe, and powerplant experience; and other persons with relevant expertise to inspect your aircraft. These persons can inspect the construction of particular components (for example, wing assemblies and fuselages) to verify an acceptable level of safety has been met.
(3) Contracting for Commercial Help. You may contract commercially for several tasks, such as installation of avionics, upholstery, and painting. See AC 20-139, Commercial Assistance During Construction of Amateur-Built Aircraft, for detailed information about the types of commercial help you can use.
b. Purchasing Prefabricated or Assembled Components and Materials.
(1) We do not expect you to personally fabricate every part of the aircraft. You may use commercially produced components and materials when constructing your amateur-built aircraft.
However, we will not give credit for fabrication of these components. Use the guidelines in the table on the following page, especially for parts constituting the primary structure, such as wing spars, critical attachment fittings, and fuselage structural members.
4 Type of Component/Material Guidelines for Use Any choice of engines, propellers, wheels, or other components We recommend you use FAA-approved components (for example, components produced under a production certificate, a technical standard order (TSO), or a parts manufacturer approval).
Any choice of materials We recommend you use material of established quality (for example, materials produced under a military specification, SAE, or AN).
Major components (for example, wings, fuselage, and empennage) from type-certificated or experimental aircraft You should know whether the components are in a condition for safe operation. This description refers to the condition of that component relative to structural strength, wear, or deterioration.
(2) You should not use materials whose identity or quality you do not know.
(3) You may use FAA Form 8000-38, Fabrication/Assembly Operation Checklist (see appendix 8), as an aid to determine if using certain components would affect the requirement to fabricate and assemble the major portion of your aircraft.
c. Meeting General Design and Construction Requirements.
(1) Amateur builders are free to develop their own designs or build from existing designs. We do not approve those designs, and it would be impractical to develop design standards for the wide variety of design configurations created by designers, kit manufacturers, and amateur builders.
(2) We recommend that you use FAA-approved components, especially when you are building parts constituting the primary structure. You should be able to prove the identity and quality of any materials you use.
d. Designing the Cockpit/Cabin. When you design the cockpit or cabin, you should do the following:
(1) Avoid sharp corners or edges, protrusions, knobs, and similar objects that may cause injury to the pilot or passengers during an accident. If you cannot avoid having them, you should pad them.
(2) Install FAA TSO-approved seatbelts and shoulder harnesses.
(3) Mark and place cockpit instruments and placards so they are easy to see.
(4) Include a fuel selector so the pilot can control the flow of all tanks. Make sure it’s labeled clearly and appropriately.
(5) Clearly mark system controls, such as the fuel selectors and electrical switches or breakers.
Make sure these controls are easy to reach and operate.
(6) Use the sample checklist in appendix 1 to AC 90-89, Amateur-Built Aircraft and Ultralight Flight Testing Handbook, to inspect cockpit instrumentation and systems controls.
(7) Place a firewall between the engine compartment and the cockpit or cabin if the design allows.
e. Designing the Fuel System. When you design the fuel system, you should do the following:
(1) Ensure your fuel tank can supply adequate fuel to the engine in all anticipated flight attitudes.
(2) Ensure the fuel system controls are easy to reach and operate.
(3) Provide a carburetor heat system to minimize the possibility of carburetor icing.
f. Building an Aircraft Using a Plan.
(1) Modifying a Design Plan. If you are working from a design plan and you want to make modifications, you should discuss the changes with the designer, kit manufacturer, or equally knowledgeable person. You should record in your builder’s log any modifications you make.
(2) Buying a Partially Built Aircraft Built From a Plan. If you buy a partially built aircraft built from a plan, you should get all fabrication and assembly records, such as receipts for materials, the builder’s log, and aircraft, engine, and propeller logbooks, from the previous owner. You should add the construction efforts of the previous amateur builders to your builder’s log to show the construction history of the aircraft. This information may help us to determine that your aircraft is eligible for amateur-built certification.
g. Building an Aircraft Using a Kit.
(1) Kits Eligible for Certification. You should always verify the aircraft will be eligible for certification as an amateur-built aircraft. Advertisements may be somewhat vague and in some cases misleading about whether a kit will produce an aircraft eligible for amateur-built certification. Use the information in the table below as guidance.
Scenario Eligible Not Eligible You are able to show you built the major portion of the aircraft. X The kit you are using or intend to use is one we evaluated and placed on our listing of eligible amateur-built aircraft kits.
(Note: We do not certify nor approve kits, kit manufacturers, or kit distributors. However, we do evaluate kits at the request of the kit manufacturer or distributor, primarily to determine if an aircraft built from a particular kit would meet the major portion requirement. You can contact your local FAA office for the current Web site address of the listing of eligible kits. Kits other than those on the list may produce an aircraft we would certify as amateur-built.)
X
You used a construction kit containing raw materials and some prefabricated components.
(Note: The raw materials may include lengths of wood, tubing, extrusions, or similar items that may have been cut to an approximate length. We will also accept some prefabricated parts such as heat-treated ribs, bulkheads, or complex parts made from sheet metal, fiberglass, or polystyrene, and precut/predrilled material, provided you fabricate and assemble the major portion of the aircraft as required by § 21.191(g), Experimental certificates: Operating amateur-built aircraft.)
X
You assembled your aircraft from a kit composed of completely finished, prefabricated components, parts, or precut or predrilled materials, and using these materials means you did not fabricate and assemble the major portion of the aircraft.
X You hired someone to build the aircraft for you, and hiring this person means you did not fabricate and assemble the major portion of the aircraft.
X
(2) Modifying a Kit. If you are working from a construction kit and you want to make modifications, you should discuss the changes with the kit manufacturer or equally knowledgeable person. You should record in your builder’s log any modifications you make.
(3) Buying an Aircraft Built From a Partially Completed Kit. If you buy an aircraft built from a partially completed kit, you should get all fabrication and assembly records, such as receipts for materials, the builder’s log, and aircraft, engine, and propeller logbooks, from the previous owner. You should add the construction efforts of the previous amateur builders to your builder’s log to show the construction history of the kit. This information may help us to determine that your aircraft is eligible for amateur-built certification.
8. REGISTERING YOUR AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT. Section 21.173, Airworthiness certificates: Eligibility, requires that all U.S. civil aircraft be registered before we issue an airworthiness certificate. Part 47 of 14 CFR, Aircraft Registration, prescribes the regulatory requirements for registering civil aircraft. The procedures for registering an amateur-built aircraft are as follows.
a. When To Register. We recommend you apply for registration 60 to 120 days before you finish constructing your aircraft and before you submit FAA Form 8130-6 to us. This should allow you to get your registration information in time for your FAA inspection.
b. How To Submit Your Application. Submit an application under § 47.33, Aircraft not previously registered anywhere, to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch AFS-750 (see appendix 7 for the address). Include the following in the package:
(1) Documentation that you own the aircraft. You may use AC Form 8050-88, Affidavit of Ownership for Amateur-Built Aircraft (see appendix 9), or its equivalent. The affidavit must state that you built the aircraft from parts or a kit and that the person signing the affidavit is the owner.
(2) A signed bill of sale from the manufacturer of the kit, if the aircraft was built from a kit.
You may use AC Form 8050-2, Aircraft Bill of Sale, but strike out the word “aircraft” and insert the word “kit” (see appendix 10). If you cannot provide a bill of sale for the kit, explain why. If you are not the original purchaser of an uncompleted kit, you must provide to AFS-750 traceability from the kit manufacturer through the previous builder or builders to yourself.
(3) A completed AC Form 8050-1 (see appendix 5). Keep the pink copy for your records until you get your Certificate of Aircraft Registration (AC Form 8050-3). Neither this pink copy nor FAA Form 8130-6 give you temporary authority to operate your aircraft, because your amateur-built aircraft has never been registered or received airworthiness certification. We may consider certifying your aircraft as airworthy once we have verified your aircraft is registered.
(4) A check or money order payable to the FAA for the registration fee. The registration fee is $5. If you are requesting a special registration number, it is an extra $10. Therefore, if you submit your registration and request for a special registration number at the same time, the total fee is $15.
(5) A special request letter as described in paragraph 8c, if you want a specific registration number.
c. How to Request a Specific Registration Number.
(1) If you want us to assign a specific registration number, list up to five possible numbers, in order of your preference (see appendix 11). Your suggested numbers may be up to five characters long, and the last two characters can be letters. There is an additional fee for this service. If you want to see whether your preferred numbers are available, you can contact AFS-750 (see appendix 7 for the address).
(2) You can reserve a registration number for 1 year; this service costs $10. If the number is not assigned to an aircraft during this period, you must renew this reservation every year by paying an additional $10 fee before the end of each 1-year period.
9. IDENTIFYING AND MARKING YOUR AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT.
a. When To Mark. Mark your aircraft before you apply for an airworthiness certificate.
b. Required Marks. When you apply for an airworthiness certificate for an amateur-built aircraft, you must show compliance with the identification requirements of § 21.182, Aircraft identification, and the nationality and registration marking requirements of 14 CFR part 45, Identification and Registration Marking. Part 45, subpart C, Nationality and Registration Marks, provides specific marking requirements for all aircraft. AC 45-2, Identification and Registration Marking, provides additional guidance. You should direct any questions to your local FAA office. The office will handle questions individually.
(1) Identification Information. If you built the aircraft from your design, and the model designation and serial number are not used for any other aircraft, you may use whatever number you want. If you built the aircraft from a plan or a kit, use the identification information provided by the plan designer or kit manufacturer. Make sure the information is the same as you have shown on AC Form 8050-88. Place this information on the identification plate as described in the following table.
Elements of the Plate Details of Those Elements Type of plate Fireproof Information to put on the plate
• Name of the builder (not the designer, plans producer, or kit manufacturer)
• Model designation
• Serial number of the aircraft How to put the information on the plate Etch, stamp, engrave, or mark by some other approved fireproof marking method How to attach the plate • So that it cannot be defaced or removed during normal service, or lost or destroyed during an accident
• So that it is legible to a person standing on the ground Where to attach plate On the exterior of the ai rcraft in accordance with § 45.11, Identification of Aircraft and Related Products: General, as follows:
• Adjacent to the aft of the rear-most entrance door, or
• On the fuselage near the tail surfaces.
(2) Nationality Designation and Registration Marks. You must paint, or affix by a way that is just as permanent, the N-number on the body of the aircraft. For example, only use paints that need thinners or strippers to remove it, or decals. Do not use tape that can be easily peeled off or water-soluble paint. For the appropriate location of the marks, refer to §§ 45.22 and 45.25 for fixed-wing aircraft and § 45.27 for non-fixed-wing aircraft. For size, follow the guidelines in the table below.
Height of Marks Type of Aircraft Other At least 2 inches Aircraft with the same external configuration (that is, a replica) of a small aircraft built at least 30 years ago /i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0 /i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0 /i0/i0/i0/i0 /i0/i0/i0/i0 /i0/i0/i0 /i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0 /i0 /i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0 /i0/i0/i0/i0/i0 /i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0 3 inches Most amateur-built aircraft /i0 /i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0 /i0/i0/i0/i0 /i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0/i0 /i0/i0/i0/i0 /i0/i0/i0/i0 /i0/i0/i0 /i0/i0/i0 12 inches Aircraft with a maximum cruising speed that exceeds 180 knots calibrated air speed (207 miles per hour) You must also use 12-inch high marks if you will be operating your aircraft outside the United States or Canada, or in an Air Defense Identification Zone.
(3) “Experimental” Aircraft Designation. Follow the guidelines in the table below to determine whether you need an “experimental” aircraft designation.
If you have a— Then you— nonreplica aircraft must display the word “experimental ” on your aircraft in accordance with § 45.23(b). You must place the 2- to 6-inch high letters near each entrance to the cabin or the cockpit.
replica aircraft do not have to label y our aircraft “experimental” if it is a replica of an aircraft built at least 30 years ago. However, in such a case, you must include an “X” between the nationality designation and the registration number. For example, the marking on an amateur-built replica of an antique aircraft would be “NX1234.” You should use the letter symbol appropriate to the airworthiness certificate of the aircraft being certificated, not the aircraft being replicated.
c. Passenger Warning. You must display the following placard in a readily visible location in the cabin or cockpit, unless your aircraft has only one seat:
“Passenger Warning: This aircraft is amateur-built and does not comply with Federal safety regulations for standard aircraft.”
10. APPLYING FOR CERTIFICATION OF AN AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT. Submit the following documents and information to your local FAA office. You can get all the forms you need from your local FAA office:
a. FAA Form 8130-6 (see appendix 3).
b. AC Form 8050-3 (AFS-750 will return this form to you, which you in turn will show to the FAA inspector at the time the aircraft is inspected).
c. Sufficient information to identify the aircraft, such as photographs or three-view drawings.
d. A notarized FAA Form 8130-12, Eligibility Statement, Amateur-Built Aircraft, certifying that the major portion of the aircraft was fabricated and assembled for your own education or recreation, and that you have evidence, such as a builder’s log or its equivalent, to support this statement (see appendix 12).
e. A program letter in accordance with § 21.193, Experimental certificates: General (see appendix 13). With the information in this letter, we can prescribe the limitations and conditions necessary to ensure safety. The program letter should—
(1) Identify the aircraft (using photographs, for example),
(2) Identify the purpose of the certificate (that is, operating an amateur-built aircraft), and
(3) Describe a flight test program that addresses the requirements, goals, and objectives during flight testing, including the area over which you intend to do your flight tests (see paragraph 13).
11. FAA INSPECTION OF AN AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT.
a. General Information About What We Do and Do Not Do For Inspections.
(1) We inspect your aircraft for general airworthiness when you submit it for airworthiness certification. We will not inspect it before you register it or during construction. However, we must inspect it before we issue your airworthiness certificate. Standard FAA policy is to issue one airworthiness certificate for the aircraft. In some cases, we may issue a limited duration airworthiness certificate, which would be valid only for flight testing (Phase I) the aircraft. When we inspect it, it should be ready to fly, except for having the cowlings, fairings, and panels open for inspection.
(2) The FAA inspector cannot be involved in the building process and will not perform any progressive or in-process inspections during the building process. You should ask a knowledgeable person (for example, an EAA Technical Counselor) to conduct in-process inspections. You should record any such inspections in the aircraft logbook.
(3) We consider FAA designated airworthiness representatives (DARs) the primary resource for the certification of amateur-built aircraft. You may contact your local FAA office to locate an authorized DAR. DARs are authorized to charge a fee for their services, which they set. We do not govern this fee.
b. Visual Inspection. The FAA inspector will conduct an onsite, visual, general airworthiness certification inspection of the aircraft, including reviewing the information discussed in paragraphs 11c(1) and (2), before issuing a special airworthiness certificate with the appropriate operating limitations. With your special airworthiness certificate and operating limitations, you will be able to show compliance with 14 CFR part 91, General Operating and Flight Rules, § 91.319(b). The FAA will perform the visual inspection as shown in figure 2, FAA Visual Inspection of an Amateur-Built Aircraft.
10 Figure 2 — FAA Visual Inspection of an Amateur-Built Aircraft Verify the aircraft registration.
È Verify your aircraft includes all required markings and placards discussed in paragraph 9, including the passenger warning.
È Verify to the extent feasible your workmanship methods, techniques, and practices.
È Verify your aircraft is in a condition for safe operation.
È Ask you to disassemble components if we have a question of safety that would endanger the pilot or the general public. We usually will not require you to remove equipment or components, or to disassemble any part of the aircraft.
È Determine whether you built your aircraft from a kit.
È Yes È No Determine whether you fabricated the aircraft from the identified kit configuration, which meets the major portion criterion.
Complete the inspection.
È Yes È No Verify the aircraft description and configuration agree with the information given in the FAA listing of eligible amateur-built aircraft.
Make an independent determination about whether you fabricated and assembled the major portion of the aircraft.
(This may prolong the certification process.)
c. Paperwork Review. We will review the following information as part of our inspection.
(1) Evidence of inspections, such as construction log entries signed by the amateur builder or other knowledgeable persons (for example, certified mechanics or other builders) or EAA Technical Counselors visit report cards describing any inspections conducted during the construction. Those entries should indicate what was inspected and by whom, and the date of the inspection. Include photographs documenting construction details, if available.
(2) Logbooks covering the aircraft, engine, and propeller or rotor blade(s) so that the FAA inspector can review the service records, record the inspection, and issue the certification. We will use the builder’s log entries to substantiate that your construction workmanship methods, techniques, and practices are acceptable, and to support your inspection and airworthiness statement on FAA Form 8130-6.
12. ISSUING AN AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE FOR AN AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT.
a. Issuance of a Special Airworthiness Certificate and Operating Limitations.
(1) In addition to 14 CFR requirements, the guidelines you use to operate and maintain your aircraft are included in your operating limitations, which become part of the special airworthiness certificate. We may impose additional limitations to those listed in FAA Order 8130.2, Airworthiness Certification of Aircraft and Related Products, if necessary for safety. References in this AC to “Phase I” refer to those operating limitations that apply to the aircraft while it’s undergoing initial flight tests. “Phase II” refers to those operating limitations that apply after you complete the initial flight tests. Phase I and Phase II operating limitations are provided in Order 8130.2. The FAA inspector will issue the special airworthiness certificate, but its validity will be subject to compliance with its operating limitations. Those limitations will provide for operation in an assigned flight test area for a certain number of hours (Phase I) before the second part (Phase II) of the limitations becomes effective, which releases the aircraft from the flight test area.
(2) After we inspect your aircraft and determine it is in a condition for safe operation, we will issue FAA Form 8130-7, Special Airworthiness Certificate, with the appropriate operating limitations in accordance with Order 8130.2. Typically, we issue one airworthiness certificate per aircraft.
(3) In accordance with § 91.203(b), you must display the airworthiness certificate and attached operating limitations at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew while the aircraft is being operated. The pilot must conduct all flights under the operating limitations and part 91.
Details concerning flight test areas are discussed in paragraph 13.
12 Figure 3 — Getting Your Operating Limitations FAA Inspect the aircraft, if we choose to issue amateur-built Phase I operating limitations on a one-time basis for determining compliance with § 91.319(b) and continued operation under § 21.191(g).
È FAA Prescribe Phase I and Phase II operating limitations in accordance with Order 8130.2. Prescribe Phase I operating limitations appropriate for the applicant to show the aircraft is controllable throughout its normal range of speeds and maneuvers and that the aircraft has no hazardous operating characteristics or design features.
È Applicant Fly the aircraft over water or sparsely populated areas with light air traffic in accordance with § 91.305, Flight test areas.
È Applicant Complete the flight test period.
È Applicant Endorse the aircraft logbook with a statement that you have complied with the requirements of § 91.319(b).
È Applicant Operate your aircraft in accordance with Phase II operating limitations.
b. Issuance of a Limited Duration Airworthiness Certificate and Operating Limitations. Due to unique or special situations, an FAA inspector may issue a limited duration airworthiness certificate, which is valid only for flight testing (Phase I). When you satisfactorily complete all flight test maneuvers and required flight test hours, you may apply to the local FAA office for amending the airworthiness certificate and operating limitations.
(1) How to Apply. Submit another FAA Form 8130-6 and a letter requesting amendment of the airworthiness certificate and operating limitations.
(2) Issuing the Amended Airworthiness Certificate and Operating Limitations. After you complete the Phase I flight test period and before we issue the amended airworthiness certificate and Phase II operating limitations, we will review the flight log to determine whether you have taken corrective action on any problems found during the flight testing and whether the aircraft’s condition for safe operation has been established under § 91.319. We also may reinspect the aircraft.