Experimental Airworthiness Certificate AIP

[rotorstl]

I an new to the forum here. I just finished building a small two place, two bladed turbine powered helicopter from a collection of miscellaneous parts. A FSDO recommended Designated Airworthiness Inspector (DAR) I contacted wants me to pay him $2k to put together an Airworthiness Inspection Program in order for him to issue a Special Airworthiness Certificate in the Experimental category, for the purpose of Operating amateur-built aircraft.

FAA Order 8130.2J requires a Airworthiness Inspection Program (AIP) for all turbine powered rotorcraft according to Table D-1 listed on page D-7 in Appendix D. The order order lists an Operating Limitation required for for All turbine rotorcraft and references Section 91.409 (f) in the Operating Limitation, however, Section 91.409 (e) states "...the owner or operator of a turbine powered rotorcraft may elect to use the inspection provisions of Section 91.409 {a} {b}, {c} or {d} in lieu of an inspection option of Section 91.409 (f)."

Can anyone tell me if there is a regulatory requirement for me to incorporate an AIP for the purposes of obtaining a airworthiness certificate for my aircraft? I read the following post from four years ago, and want to verify this is still accurate and would also apply to my specific question.

http://helicopterforum.verticalreference.com/topic/18333-91409/

Thanks in advance.

[helonorth]

I just finished building a small two place, two bladed turbine powered helicopter from a collection of miscellaneous parts.

 

 

Not something you read every day.

[iChris]

I an new to the forum here. I just finished building a small two place, two bladed turbine powered helicopter from a collection of miscellaneous parts.

A FSDO recommended Designated Airworthiness Inspector (DAR) I contacted wants me to pay him $2k to put together an Airworthiness Inspection Program in order for him to issue a Special Airworthiness Certificate in the Experimental category, for the purpose of Operating amateur-built aircraft.

FAA Order 8130.2J requires a Airworthiness Inspection Program (AIP) for all turbine powered rotorcraft according to Table D-1 listed on page D-7 in Appendix D.

Can anyone tell me if there is a regulatory requirement for me to incorporate an AIP for the purposes of obtaining a airworthiness certificate for my aircraft? I read the following post from four years ago, and want to verify this is still accurate and would also apply to my specific question.

Post Topic: CFR §91.409; September 2014

Thanks in advance.

 

I assume you’re building under 21.191(g). Operating amateur-built aircraft the major portion of which has been fabricated and assembled by you in order to undertook the construction project solely for your own education or recreation. The FAA considers FSDO approval of the inspection program to be a critical element of the process of ensuring that the aircraft is in a condition for safe operation; therefore, an approved inspection program of some type is required in your situation. The discussion in Post Topic: CFR §91.409; September 2014 was not fully applicable to an experimental Aircraft.

 

If this were a homebuilt kit, most of this work would already be done, assembly diagrams, assembly instructions, operating procedures, limitations, maintenance instructions, and inspection requirements. You’re starting from scratch with respect to adequate documentation.

 

The FAA considers the person who fabricated and assembled the major portion of the aircraft to be the aircraft's "manufacturer" or "builder." An owner or operator who has fabricated and assembled an amateur-built turbine-powered rotorcraft therefore may select an inspection program which that person, acting as the manufacturer, has recommended; therefore, you could write your own inspection program. However, getting it approved, could be a daunting task if you’ve never dealt with the FAA before at this level.

 

The FAA order 8130.2J you quoted has what’s needed in chapter 4, section 2, paragraph 4-10. Also, that $2,000 fee for the DER is in the range. Fees ranging of $90 per hour and up to $190.00 per hour plus the cost of issuance of the certificate can be expected depending upon the project. The DER has to try and figure out all that you’ve done and then try to document it all. Hopefully you’ve diagrammed and documented most of what you’ve done in the assembly process.

 

8900.1 Volume 6, Ch1, Section 7-7 EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT INSPECTION PROGRAMS.

 

Aircraft having experimental Airworthiness Certificates are not subject to the inspection requirements of § 91.409(a) or ( b ). They must have inspection programs that have been developed which are specific to the aircraft, approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and referenced in the operating limitations that are part of the Experimental Airworthiness Certificate.

 

Inspection Program Submittal Requirements. The applicant should submit the following material for review:

 

(1) Proposed Inspection Program. The submitted program for an aircraft may be a current manufacturer’s program, a current military program (preferably North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)), an owner/operator-developed program, or based on a program previously approved for the same make/model.

 

Prior FAA approval of an inspection program does not guarantee an automatic approval for a similar make/model because inspection programs are aircraft-specific and will be identified by the aircraft S/N. Inspection programs are subject to amendment whenever significant changes in operating environment and/or equipment occur.

 

Large Airplane (Over 12,500 lbs.) and Turbine-Powered (Turbojet and Turbopropeller) Multiengine Airplane and Turbine-Powered Rotorcraft Inspection Programs. These aircraft must be inspected according to an inspection program selected by the owner/operator. Section 91.409(f) outlines various options available to the owner/operator.

Edited December 1, 2018 by iChris

[rotorstl]

Thank you for the very detailed response Chris.

[RocketRancher]

 

I an new to the forum here. I just finished building a small two place, two bladed turbine powered helicopter from a collection of miscellaneous parts. A FSDO recommended Designated Airworthiness Inspector (DAR) I contacted wants me to pay him $2k to put together an Airworthiness Inspection Program in order for him to issue a Special Airworthiness Certificate in the Experimental category, for the purpose of Operating amateur-built aircraft.

 

<snip>

 

Can anyone tell me if there is a regulatory requirement for me to incorporate an AIP for the purposes of obtaining a airworthiness certificate for my aircraft? I read the following post from four years ago, and want to verify this is still accurate and would also apply to my specific question.

http://helicopterforum.verticalreference.com/topic/18333-91409/

Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

Greetings

 

If your ship is based on a Rotorway airframe and Solar or Allison turbine, I can recommend the JetExec/Turbine forum at the Rotorway Owners' Group (easily searchable). There are many who have gone before you and can offer advice and resources to help you meet that requirement (yes, it is one).

Even if it doesn't fit this mold, you can learn much about generating the planning and documents to represent your project.

 

Best wishes!

RR

[Mountain Marauder]

It's just another Government sponsored racket.  The FAA is supposed to do those inspections at no cost but pull the DAR deal because they don't have the "resources" to do it.  And DAR's can charge for their services. I got the same request from my assigned DAR and told him I'd do it myself.  It took some time but wasn't that difficult.  Just find a copy of an AIP that was submitted for a helicopter similar to yours and customize it to your helicopter.  They will play games with you by rejecting it for various reasons so you will have to make corrections and resubmit it probably more than once.  Playing the game will save you money but maybe not frustration.