Getting my T craft changed to Experimental LSA

[stearman3]

Re: Getting my T craft changed to Experimental LSA

On this thread, I'm seeing a lot of 'mechanic can't certify parts'.

NEWS FLASH Every time a mechanic installs something with a log book entry, that's a certification that not only is the part good, it's also installed correctly.

Under part 43 , and record keeping under 91 , there is no requirement to keep certifications of the part manufacture.

All that noise got started by the FAA's part 21 guys with their 'bogus part routine' several years ago.

And their birth to death certification for parts.

It's no more true now than it was then. Except for Life limited parts.

[stearman3]

Re: Getting my T craft changed to Experimental LSA

P.S. How many of you have certifications for every part that has EVER been replaced on your airplane/engine/prop?

If those were required, none of our airplanes are legal to fly!

[Pearson]

Re: Getting my T craft changed to Experimental LSA

Every time a mechanic installs something with a log book entry, that's a certification that not only is the part good, it's also installed correctly.

I guess I didn't cross my T's or dot my I's to everyones satisfaction. In the context of what I was referring to in my last post, my statement meant that his mechanic couldn't just install a Matco tail wheel and write something in the logbook to make it legal, since it isn't listed on the type certificate. Otherwise we wouldn't all be jumping through the regulatory hoops to have our disc brakes approved or our dual exhausts or our larger engines. We could just have a mechanic bolt on whatever we want and just "sign it off".

If you know of some way to help this gentleman get his airplane back into the air in a safe and legal way, how about offering up some suggestions.

[3Dreaming]

Re: Getting my T craft changed to Experimental LSA

I guess I didn't cross my T's or dot my I's to everyones satisfaction. In the context of what I was referring to in my last post, my statement meant that his mechanic couldn't just install a Matco tail wheel and write something in the logbook to make it legal, since it isn't listed on the type certificate. Otherwise we wouldn't all be jumping through the regulatory hoops to have our disc brakes approved or our dual exhausts or our larger engines. We could just have a mechanic bolt on whatever we want and just "sign it off".

If you know of some way to help this gentleman get his airplane back into the air in a safe and legal way, how about offering up some suggestions.

If the info in this thread is correct I think he could.

http://vb.taylorcraft.org/showthread.php?3394-Matco-tailwheel&highlight=matco

[stearman3]

Re: Getting my T craft changed to Experimental LSA

I guess I didn't cross my T's or dot my I's to everyones satisfaction. In the context of what I was referring to in my last post, my statement meant that his mechanic couldn't just install a Matco tail wheel and write something in the logbook to make it legal, since it isn't listed on the type certificate. Otherwise we wouldn't all be jumping through the regulatory hoops to have our disc brakes approved or our dual exhausts or our larger engines. We could just have a mechanic bolt on whatever we want and just "sign it off".

If you know of some way to help this gentleman get his airplane back into the air in a safe and legal way, how about offering up some suggestions.

He needs to find a mechanic in his area familiar with our old airplanes. The mech. he has looking at it doesn't know what he is looking at, and may very well be in violation of
part 65.

[waltermrich]

Re: Getting my T craft changed to Experimental LSA

Helpless, I sympathize with you on your situation, but it sounds like you need another mechanic to help you. Go to your local airports or EAA chapter to find one familiar with fabric airplanes, there should be someone out there that will help you. I have had 3 IA's in the last 8 years and all have been good the 2nd one very familiar with tube and fabric and knowledgeable went by the book and I never had a problem he had to retire do to his age unfortunately. You can find someone

[stearman3]

Re: Getting my T craft changed to Experimental LSA

I guess I didn't cross my T's or dot my I's to everyones satisfaction. In the context of what I was referring to in my last post, my statement meant that his mechanic couldn't just install a Matco tail wheel and write something in the logbook to make it legal, since it isn't listed on the type certificate. Otherwise we wouldn't all be jumping through the regulatory hoops to have our disc brakes approved or our dual exhausts or our larger engines. We could just have a mechanic bolt on whatever we want and just "sign it off".

If you know of some way to help this gentleman get his airplane back into the air in a safe and legal way, how about offering up some suggestions.

In fact CAR 4a part .479 (that's the cert. basis for our flying machines) does not require tail wheels be certificated. Look it up. it says just that.

So, a Matco, or anything else a mechanic feels will do the job would be as legal as the day is long!

[M Towsley]

Re: Getting my T craft changed to Experimental LSA

I'm hard-pressed to believe Bruce's airplane had so many problems. Forrest is familiar with this airplane and could probably shed some light as to what is going on.

[Pearson]

Re: Getting my T craft changed to Experimental LSA

In fact CAR 4a part .479 (that's the cert. basis for our flying machines) does not require tail wheels be certificated. Look it up. it says just that. So, a Matco, or anything else a mechanic feels will do the job would be as legal as the day is long!

Oooh boy, I guess I struck a nerve. Oh well, you don't have to agree with anything I say. I certainly don't agree with your definition of certified. But my goal here is to provide this fellow Taylorcrafter with information to help him get his airplane flying again. Along those lines, I do agree that he might need another mechanic. Sounds like the one he has been using is taking him to the cleaners.

[Edwin Otha]

Re: Getting my T craft changed to Experimental LSA

I was going to bring up the CAR 4 aircraft also. There are many items not regulated by the CAR's, tailwheels and wood props for instance. TSO's are kinda wierd also. It needs TSO when asked for, not all parts. ELT's need to be TSO'd along with Helicopter radios only because they are mentioned to be so in the regs.
If the plane was built to the CAR's it is required to be inspected by the CAR's. Thats why the TC's have the Certification Basis listed. It's Inspectors class 1A, you need to inspect it to the correct specification. Because it can't, and is not required to, meet any other.
EO

[Pearson]

Re: Getting my T craft changed to Experimental LSA

That causes me to wonder why he couldn't get his Matco tailwheel installed.

[stearman3]

Re: Getting my T craft changed to Experimental LSA

That causes me to wonder why he couldn't get his Matco tailwheel installed.

Because his mechanic does not understand(or probably even know about) CAR 4a.

He probably thinks...'small airplanes are all the same, you know FAR23'...........If he even thinks that far.

No one but us old airplane guys ever gives a thought about, Aero Bulletin 7a, CAR 4a, or CAR 8.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Getting my T craft changed to Experimental LSA

For what he has paid so far he could have paid a "Taylorcraft" IA (one who knows our planes) to fly in, inspect and fix his plane and paid him WELL over his asking price. We need to get one of the guys who KNOWS our planes linked up with him!

Who is close?

Hank

[Nefj40]

Re: Getting my T craft changed to Experimental LSA

The FAA grounded me because they said I can't repair my airplane, because it does not have a "SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE" in the LSA category.

I don't agree with it, but that is correct.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Getting my T craft changed to Experimental LSA

When "you" repair your plane, you are not officially doing it, the A&P or IA is. You may actually turn the wrench, but HE is responsible and is signing it off that he made sure you did it under his supervision. HE is held responsible for the work as if HE did it. You can do work on your plane, but only if he is willing to sign it off as his having done it himself. That takes a special kind of trust between the two of you that you don't have right now (we need to help find you a mechanic you can build that kind of relationship with).
In order for you to work on your plane you need a mechanic who will work WITH you and actually observe you "turning the wrench". After some time, he may feel enough trust in your work to sign off some things for you, but if he does, he is taking a REAL LEAP of faith that you did it right. Some of us have mechanics we have worked with for YEARS and we have built that kind of relationship. I do work on my plane, but I trust HIM more than I trust me. I have my IA look at EVERYTHING that I have done. He will let me do some things, but he also knows that I will show him EVERYTHING I have done and how I did it. I NEVER cover anything up so that he can't see it. That's why my floor boards are out as well as my seat sling. He says he trusts me, and I say I DON'T trust me to have not missed something. We will look at the whole cockpit area TOGETHER when we put the new bungees on and when we are BOTH happy that everything is good I will close her up and get the cockpit part of the annual signed off (hopefully followed by the rest of the annual). Once it is closed up I will NOT open it up again or take anything apart without his checking it. He knows I am anal about it and it is one reason he trusts me.

Hank