R44 12-Year Inspection Required for Part 91?

[V-any]

I'm looking for a little help in figuring this out.

 

Let's say someone owns an R44 that is outside of the 12-year inspection, but otherwise is in great shape, has a current annual, and has good times (on the engine, main rotor blades, and tail rotor blades).

 

• Is it legal to fly for personal use?
• Is it legal to fly for Part 91 commercial work and flight instruction?
• Would this be a problem in flying tours for a tour LOA?
• Will it be insurable?
• What liability would the pilot have, assuming the annual and 100hrs were signed off by the A&P?

[Bootcamp]

I would suggest calling Cove Helicopter. http://www.covehelicopter.com/They would be a good resource to help answer your question.

[Whistler]

I'm looking for a little help in figuring this out.

 

Let's say someone owns an R44 that is outside of the 12-year inspection, but otherwise is in great shape, has a current annual, and has good times (on the engine, main rotor blades, and tail rotor blades).

 

 

• Is it legal to fly for personal use?
• Is it legal to fly for Part 91 commercial work and flight instruction?
• Would this be a problem in flying tours for a tour LOA?
• Will it be insurable?
• What liability would the pilot have, assuming the annual and 100hrs were signed off by the A&P?

I'm pretty sure compliance is mandatory. The only place you MIGHT be able to fly it is to an overhaul facility with a special ferry permit. Maybe.

[iChris]

On 8/1/2015 at 8:12 AM, V-any said:

 

I'm looking for a little help in figuring this out.

 

Let's say someone owns an R44 that is outside of the 12-year inspection, but otherwise is in great shape, has a current annual, and has good times (on the engine, main rotor blades, and tail rotor blades).

 

• Is it legal to fly for personal use?
• Is it legal to fly for Part 91 commercial work and flight instruction?
• Would this be a problem in flying tours for a tour LOA?
• Will it be insurable?
• What liability would the pilot have, assuming the annual and 100hrs were signed off by the A&P?

 

 

Yes, you can operate past 12 years/2200 hours under Part 91. We cover this topic back in 2011.

 

Specific Part 91 operations for compensation or hire are governed by the inspection requirements found in § 91.409, which do not requires you to comply with the manufacturer's recommended maintenances. Exceptions listed under § 91.409[c]

 

Part 135 operations for compensation or hire are governed by the additional inspection requirements found in §135.421, which requires you comply with the manufacturer's recommended maintenance.

 

To continue operation after 12yr./2200 hours you must compile with The Instructions for Continued Airworthiness section in the R44, maintenance manual, titled Airworthiness Limitations, which is segregated and clearly distinguishable from the rest of the document.

 

The must do items are covered in that section of the manuals. Moreover, It depends on who said, “you must”. Did Lycoming say you must? Did Robinson Helicopters say you must? Or did the FAA say you must. The FAA’s “Must” is the one that counts.

 

The R44 maintenance manual Airworthiness Limitations are in Section 3 on page 3.9. Page 3.9 is FAA approved and sets forth each mandatory (must do) replacement times, structural inspection intervals, and related structural inspections. An engine overhaul was not included in those airworthiness limitations.

 

As long as the owner complies with section 3 (page 3.9) in the R44 maintenance manual, the aircraft and engine can be maintained under FAR 91.409a, 43.15, and Appendix D to Part 43 in an airworthy condition.

 

To fully understand you may need to read the following posts, interpretation, and supporting documentation.

 

R22 Airworthiness past 2200 hrs. (Posted 15 October 2011)

 

MacMillan - (2011) Legal Interpretation (PDF)

https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/faa_migrate/interps/2011/MacMillan_2011_Legal_Interpretation.pdf

 

Edited January 7 by iChris
update link