Pietenpol-List: Letter to EAA re: DAR's

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Original Posted By: Michael D Cuy
05/11/2001 10:05:17 AMGroup,I fired off the letter copied below to Mr. Warner just before the postforwarding the letter from Earl Lawrence came in. Maybe it will keep thepot stirring, anyway I doubt it will hurt.Cheers!Kip Gardner*******************************************************************************Mr. Robert T. Warner, Executive Vice PresidentExperimental Aircraft AssociationEAA Aviation Center3000 Poberezny RoadOshkosh, WI 54903Dear Mr. Warner, I am a fairly new member of the EAA, having joined less than a yearago. I have had a life-long interest in aviation and spent many yearsbuilding and flying model aircraft while admiring full-size aircraft at airshows and airports. Whenever I could, I would catch rides with friends whowere pilots and the joy of flying has grown over the years.Now I have decided to take on a construction project, hence my decision tojoin EAA. After a lot of research into designs and careful assessment ofthe type of flying I want to do, I have decided to build a Pietenpol AirCamper. I obtained plans from the Pietenpols, began researching how to goabout building, etc. Eventually, this process led me to the PietenpolDiscussion List on the World Wide Web, as well as the Brodhead PietenpolAssociation. Both of these groups are proving very helpful as I begin tomove into the early construction phase of my project.As I have participated in the discussions on the e-list, the issue ofairworthiness inspections has come up on a few occasions. Recently, anastounding number of postings have described what can only be called horrorstories regarding dealing with FAA inspectors or DAR?s. These have rangedfrom descriptions of tail-dragging on handling paperwork, misinterpretationof regulations and AC?s, and outright refusal to do inspections by FAAofficials. The stories about DAR?s have been even worse, including demandsfor outrageous fees (upwards of $900.00) to do inspections, insistence onbuilders signing comprehensive hold-harmless agreements, and outrightignorance of inspection procedures. One person related being referred to aDAR who was not even qualified to issue an Airworthiness Certificate onaircraft ? he specialized only in avionics.Based on these stories, I am concerned that the current inspection processis significantly flawed, particularly as it relates to using DAR?s. As thediscussion on the e-list has progressed, it is clear that many in thiscommunity would like to see EAA take a more active and positive role inmaking the inspection and certification process truly serve the needs ofthe builder, while not compromising safety. As someone who someday hopes tohave an Air Camper ready for inspection and certification, it is certainlyworrying to me to think that after all the effort I will put into theproject, I will have difficulty getting it certificated.Many in our group have proposed or endorsed the idea of the EAA becomingthe active agent for doing these inspections. We feel that the necessaryregulations to make this happen could be appended to the proposed SportPilot Regulations. As we envision it, this could be set up to use a cadreof volunteers, perhaps building on the Tech Counselor program, who would becertified as qualified to do inspections (AI?s or A&P?s), would be subjectto EAA oversight, and protected from liability by FAA regulation and/orlegislation. Given the scope of the responsibility they would have, we feelthat modest compensation for their time, at a level that would not conflictwith their volunteer status, would be appropriate.I hope that you will relay our concerns and ideas through both the EAA andany FAA officials that might be appropriate, especially the FAA?s SportPilot Program Manger. Thank you very much for your attention to theseconcerns, and on behalf of a very enthusiastic and talented group ofbuilders, I am looking forward to your reply. Regards, Kip Gardner, EAA # 639841________________________________________________________________________________Date: Fri, 11 May 2001 10:29:12 -0400

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Original Posted By: "Cy Galley"
Cy,Thanks for your reply concerning Earl Lawrence and the work he is doingfor the membership. I would like to meet him personally some day, maybethis year if I get back to Oshkosh.I know that he has a tough job dealing with the FAA. The FAA has becomea bureaucratic political jungle that seems to be unable to resolveproblems in a timely fashion. I believe that this inability to actquickly compromises safety, which is supposed to be their primarymandate. The problem of certification is a case in point. If an builder isunable to get his work approved for flight after years of constuction he is going to go fly anyway. Most of the time it works out, butsometimes the builder is unaware of the required standards of safeconstruction and this can lead to disaster. The FAA needs to solve thisproblem NOW! I can not believe that a private organization wouldsurvive very long if they are unable to react quickly to problems.Tell Mr. Lawrence that I am not mad at him -- just the situation.John Dilatushdilatush(at)amigo.net________________________________________________________________________________

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Original Posted By: "John Dilatush"
I understand your frustrations completely. I own a 14-13-2 Bellanca. It isa design that evolved from the 30's, Handbook, etc. In 1979, the FAA issuedan AD on this very old approved manual as the aileron cable diagram waswrong. It only took 40 years for them to figure it out. So much forprotecting the public in a timely manner.With regards to the inspection morass The FAA claims that they are so busyinspecting air carriers and FBO repair stations that they don't have time orpersonnel. They would like to get out of the inspection business entirely.That is where the high priced DARs come in. Unfortunately, they left theDARs high and dry when it come to liability. That is why my IA, became aformer DAR. Those that have stayed, have to pay some rather high pricedinsurance. They have to collect money from somewhere to pay for theinsurance.BUT, Our chapter has had a several planes ( 2 RV-8s and an AirBike) recentlyinspected by the FAA out of DesMoines, Iowa and DesPlaines, Illinois justby phoning to see when their personnel are in the area and set-up anappointment. So it can and has been done. One should lay some ground workto make sure the plane is ready by having several Tech Counselor inspectionsso you don't waste the time of the inspector.Cy Galley - Bellanca Champion ClubNewsletter Editor & EAA TCwww.bellanca-championclub.com----- Original Message -----

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Original Posted By: Jack Phillips

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Original Posted By: "pierson's"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Letter to EAA re: DAR'sIn a message dated 05/11/2001 9:06:09 AM Central Daylight Time, kgardner(at)odu.edu writes:>Kip, an outstanding letter, well thought out and nicely presented. Even though Earl has acknowledged his awareness of the groundswell on this subject and has outlined all that Headquarters is doing, letters such as yours will be taken seriously and help the cause. Thanks for your efforts. Don Hicks EAA 1541________________________________________________________________________________