FAA Inspection - Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers2024-03-28T22:27:14Zhttps://zenith.aero/forum/topics/faa-inspection?commentId=2606393%3AComment%3A758647&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noYes, I'm really glad I had al…tag:zenith.aero,2020-10-26:2606393:Comment:7586472020-10-26T01:43:01.203ZSteven M Brayhttps://zenith.aero/profile/StevenMBray
<p>Yes, I'm really glad I had all my ducks in a row. I have spoken to folks at AOPA and EAA about my experience and nobody has heard of anything like it, and it worked out ok. Charlie Becker at EAA asked me (at an EAA chapter training event) to send him details and emails and it would get checked into, which I did. Then COVID-19 broke and I never heard back.</p>
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<p>Yes, I'm really glad I had all my ducks in a row. I have spoken to folks at AOPA and EAA about my experience and nobody has heard of anything like it, and it worked out ok. Charlie Becker at EAA asked me (at an EAA chapter training event) to send him details and emails and it would get checked into, which I did. Then COVID-19 broke and I never heard back.</p>
<p></p> Thanks Steven. Always concer…tag:zenith.aero,2020-10-25:2606393:Comment:7583202020-10-25T21:59:02.307ZDavid L. Smithhttps://zenith.aero/profile/DavidLSmith
<p>Thanks Steven. Always concerning when you feel like you are being treated differently. Especially when vague language is used to justify that treatment. Good on you for keeping good documentation! Seems like it paid dividends in the end.</p>
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<p>Thanks Steven. Always concerning when you feel like you are being treated differently. Especially when vague language is used to justify that treatment. Good on you for keeping good documentation! Seems like it paid dividends in the end.</p>
<p></p> Well I certainly am glad I go…tag:zenith.aero,2020-10-25:2606393:Comment:7586032020-10-25T21:10:30.415ZJim and Amelia Isaacshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JimIsaacs
<p>Well I certainly am glad I got the DAR and Birmingham, AL FSDO person I dealt with for my repairman certificate. Very straightforward and reasonable process. <br/>Anyway, Mel can certainly be a wonderful resource to all of here. </p>
<p>Well I certainly am glad I got the DAR and Birmingham, AL FSDO person I dealt with for my repairman certificate. Very straightforward and reasonable process. <br/>Anyway, Mel can certainly be a wonderful resource to all of here. </p> Interesting experience, Steve…tag:zenith.aero,2020-10-25:2606393:Comment:7585992020-10-25T20:58:04.810ZCarl Ortonhttps://zenith.aero/profile/CarlOrton
<p>Interesting experience, Steven; At least aside from the initial hassles, sounds like it was pretty straight-forward. For my first build, my DAR had a letter he provided to builders saying he recommended the repairman certificate. Since he was retired FAA and his name was known, I have no idea if that lessened things or not. My experience was just like the others: bring log and paperwork, walk out with the certificate. This was North Texas FSDO by the way.</p>
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<p>Interesting experience, Steven; At least aside from the initial hassles, sounds like it was pretty straight-forward. For my first build, my DAR had a letter he provided to builders saying he recommended the repairman certificate. Since he was retired FAA and his name was known, I have no idea if that lessened things or not. My experience was just like the others: bring log and paperwork, walk out with the certificate. This was North Texas FSDO by the way.</p>
<p></p> Regarding the Repairman Certi…tag:zenith.aero,2020-10-25:2606393:Comment:7583002020-10-25T19:15:39.946ZSteven M Brayhttps://zenith.aero/profile/StevenMBray
<p>Regarding the Repairman Certificate, my experience was a bit different than I had been led to expect from all the EAA literature and things I had read. It was my understanding that for the repairman certificate, all you needed to was make an appointment to appear in person at the FSDO with the paperwork in order to obtain the certificate (no aircraft inspection or applicant testing). In my case, the Little Rock FSDO insisted on sending 2 inspectors to Nortwest Arkansas to physically inspect…</p>
<p>Regarding the Repairman Certificate, my experience was a bit different than I had been led to expect from all the EAA literature and things I had read. It was my understanding that for the repairman certificate, all you needed to was make an appointment to appear in person at the FSDO with the paperwork in order to obtain the certificate (no aircraft inspection or applicant testing). In my case, the Little Rock FSDO insisted on sending 2 inspectors to Nortwest Arkansas to physically inspect my already flying airplane. In addition, I was given a list of maintenance tasks to be prepared to perform. I could find no justification for these requirements in the regs. The inspectors cited "satisfy the administrator" verbiage as justification for this process. At this point I was concerned that I was getting special attention for some reason, but they insisted that was standard procedure. In any case, the appointment was made and kept. After reviewing my paperwork and talking for a while in the airport terminal, they said I had gone far beyond what they needed to see in terms of documentation (especially the detailed build log) and satisfying them that I could safely service the plane. The aircraft "inspection" consisted of a couple of walk-arounds with me answering questions or pointing out things we had talked about earlier. I left with my temporary repairman certificate and they headed back to Little Rock. I honestly got the feeling that they just wanted to get out of the office and see an experimental that they were not familiar with (750 Cruzer), and stretched the regs to make it happen.</p>
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<p>My points are, First, although all FSDO inspectors are supposedly doing things alike, reality may be different, so good builder documentation is essential, or at least improves the process. Second, establish contact and a relationship with the FSDO inspector early in the build, even if a DAR will do the special airworthiness inspection. I contacted the FSDO when I was ready for the repairman certificate, and they cited not having previously established a relationship as reason for going beyond the black letter of the regs.</p>
<p></p> Thanks for sharing your exper…tag:zenith.aero,2020-10-25:2606393:Comment:7584672020-10-25T16:58:49.695ZDavid L. Smithhttps://zenith.aero/profile/DavidLSmith
<p>Thanks for sharing your experience John. I will also be obtaining the the Repairman's Certificate and this will be good information to have when that time comes.</p>
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<p>Thanks for sharing your experience John. I will also be obtaining the the Repairman's Certificate and this will be good information to have when that time comes.</p>
<p></p> Thanks Mel. Always good to h…tag:zenith.aero,2020-10-25:2606393:Comment:7584652020-10-25T16:55:37.036ZDavid L. Smithhttps://zenith.aero/profile/DavidLSmith
<p>Thanks Mel. Always good to hear from an "insider". Best regards!</p>
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<p>Thanks Mel. Always good to hear from an "insider". Best regards!</p>
<p></p> Often an inspector will not s…tag:zenith.aero,2020-10-25:2606393:Comment:7582662020-10-25T16:09:55.090ZJohn Austinhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnLAustin
<p><em>Often an inspector will not spend much time looking at the builder's log because after we talk with you for a few minutes, we can tell if you built the aircraft.</em></p>
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<p>That was my impression when the DAR inspected my build - a few questions about some of the details of the build and I felt he <em>knew</em> I was the builder - he barely glanced at my builder's log! Also, when I went to the Nashville FSDO for the Repairman's Certificate (see my blog…</p>
<p><em>Often an inspector will not spend much time looking at the builder's log because after we talk with you for a few minutes, we can tell if you built the aircraft.</em></p>
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<p>That was my impression when the DAR inspected my build - a few questions about some of the details of the build and I felt he <em>knew</em> I was the builder - he barely glanced at my builder's log! Also, when I went to the Nashville FSDO for the Repairman's Certificate (see my blog <a href="http://www.zenith.aero/profiles/blogs/2606393:BlogPost:315867" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to the FSDO!"</a>) , the person processing my paperwork looked at about 2 pages of my log for about 2 seconds and gave it back to me.</p>
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<p>Apparently, you really don't need an elaborate log as far as the FAA is concerned! ;>)</p>
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<p>John</p>
<p>N750A</p> Been a DAR since 1999. I hav…tag:zenith.aero,2020-10-25:2606393:Comment:7580652020-10-25T02:34:37.304ZMel Asberryhttps://zenith.aero/profile/MelAsberry
<p>Been a DAR since 1999. I have done almost 1,000 certification inspections on Light-Sport and Experimental Aircraft.</p>
<p>Been a DAR since 1999. I have done almost 1,000 certification inspections on Light-Sport and Experimental Aircraft.</p> Thanks for the clarification…tag:zenith.aero,2020-10-25:2606393:Comment:7578372020-10-25T00:35:32.814ZJim and Amelia Isaacshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JimIsaacs
<p>Thanks for the clarification Mel, so you are a DAR or FAA Inspector? A valuable resource here on the forum.</p>
<p>Jim</p>
<p>Thanks for the clarification Mel, so you are a DAR or FAA Inspector? A valuable resource here on the forum.</p>
<p>Jim</p>