SFAR 73 interesting question

[barkerlongez]

Hi Folks

I am a long time R22/44 instructor and now fly R44s full time, with some flight instruction on the side --- and had a new and interesting SFAR question posed to me.

 

Obviously we all need to do both the Awareness and Aeronautical training for both machines. Us higher time folks need to take an "SFAR ride" every 2 years (satisfies biannual 61.56 also). Also we all know that CFIs must maintain their SFAR status to instruct in either machine.

 

The question is ---- I have been told by the factory, and have been under the impression for years, that you must have particular authorization to give the "SFAR rides" and that not just any approved R22/44 instructor can do it. I recieved this authorization many years ago, and have continued to give these SFAR rides.

 

But now closely reading the SFAR I notice that the SFAR endorsement paragraph b(5)(iv) is actually part of the entire flight instruction citation, so that it leads me to believe that no one can give flight instruction in these machines with out this endoresment, and even more --- all persons who can give flight instruction are also authorized to give the "SFAR rides".

 

I would love to hear your thoughts. I am also going to call the factory ----- and here for all these years I thought I was a special person, who had a special blessing to give the rides.

 

take care

Mark

[delorean]

In order to give flight instruction, a yearly or solo SFAR sign-off, give a flight review, or give a checkride, you must have a flight instruction endorsement authorizing you to do so. That endorsement must come from a FAA Inspector or DPE who has an authorization letter from RHC--not a CFI!!!! RHC employees can also give the endorsement. This endorsement authorizes you to give everything in the first sentence, but does NOT let you sign someone off to instruct.

 

And that endorsement is airframe specific--R22 or R44. So you need to take a ride in each if you plan to instruct in each. Just like you need to take a 1-hour flight review in each every 2 years if you plan to act as PIC in each.

[barkerlongez]

In order to give flight instruction, a yearly or solo SFAR sign-off, give a flight review, or give a checkride, you must have a flight instruction endorsement authorizing you to do so. That endorsement must come from a FAA Inspector or DPE who has an authorization letter from RHC--not a CFI!!!! RHC employees can also give the endorsement. This endorsement authorizes you to give everything in the first sentence, but does NOT let you sign someone off to instruct.

 

And that endorsement is airframe specific--R22 or R44. So you need to take a ride in each if you plan to instruct in each. Just like you need to take a 1-hour flight review in each every 2 years if you plan to act as PIC in each.

 

 

HI Delorean

thanks for the info -- that is what I thought, and how I have done it for years but had the question asked a curious way, --- that started the normal SFAR confusion. I also called the factory today to talk to Doug Tompkins but he was off, and Pat Cox didn't know either. I will try to reconfirm with either Doug or Tim on Monday.

 

Thanks for the help.

mark

[JDHelicopterPilot]

HI Delorean

thanks for the info -- that is what I thought, and how I have done it for years but had the question asked a curious way, --- that started the normal SFAR confusion. I also called the factory today to talk to Doug Tompkins but he was off, and Pat Cox didn't know either. I will try to reconfirm with either Doug or Tim on Monday.

 

Thanks for the help.

mark

 

 

That is right. The FAA has established that only approved DPEs or approved FAA Inspectors can give the endorsement which allows us to instruct in either the R-44, R-22. Need an endorsement for each. Also the FAA has said since the factory instructors are trained by the factory and then they can also be approved to give said endorsement. "regular" CFI's cannot. I am sure Doug will reafirm this.

 

 

 

JD

[Slimvnv]

You have to get a b5 endorsement from a DPE or the FAA to instruct in a R-22 or R-44. That has been that way since 95 when the SFAR came out.