Warbird Information Exchange

The "Diamond Lil" thread has brought a question to light that might make for some discussion on the WIX.

With all the aircraft that are in collections across the world, that at one time perhaps flew regulaly or, flew up until they were put on display in a venue, how do you count the "flyable" ones from the "non-flying" aircraft?

How can we define when an aircraft is no longer considered flyable or airworthy for the purpose of counting excatly how many of a particular type are actually "flyable"?

Are the terms "Airworthy" and "Flyable" the same?

Is an aircraft capable of being "Flyable" but not "Airworthy"?

If this topic has been discussed before, forgive me, and let me know, otherwise....
I'm opening it up for discussion...any takers?
Blue skies,
Jerry

_________________
"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

Airworthy has two definitions.

1. Can it get into the air safely? i.e. flyable
2. Has the FAA said it can get into the air? i.e. legal to be flyable

That said, an airplane can be legally airworthy in a sense, but not flyable. The same goes the other way, an airplane can be flyable, but not legally airworthy.

That's what I'm talking about!
For WIX purposes, how do we count them?
Maybe it's too broad a topic. We could argue for weeks as to what is considered a "Flyable" warbird.

In my book, if it hasn't flown in a year or more, it's not a "flyer" and I don't consider it as such.
This view may be coming from my airshow work, if I can't get an aircraft to a show because it hasn't flown in a year, it doesn't do me any good and it's not flyable!
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

I am with the "If it hasn't flown in a year, it is not flyable" school of thought. I have had folks I know tell me of 100 percent restored, awesome airplane, ect, ect, But when they went to bring them home, all kinds of bad things began to happen. I am glad my friends lived to tell me the tales. I don't care how "restored" or "low time" or "whatever" dude the plane is, if it hasn't flown in a year or more, I'm thinking hose replacements and such at the least, IRAN superanual at the most.

I know I'm a newbie pilot and I talk a lotta crap sometimes, but I only have to hear ten or so "Deadstick/everything was covered with gas" stories to get my brain a thinking on the right track.............

_________________
DEEP THOUGHTS BY KIDS:
"If we could just get everyone to close their eyes and visualize world peace for an hour, imagine how serene and quiet it would be until the looting started. Age 15 "


Deep Thoughts,
Jack Handy

I was having the same thought.
"Licensed and Flying" means it has had an annual in the last 12 months and good battery, both mags work, everything checks out okay for flight.
Airworthy might mean, nothing at all wrong with it last time it flew but the owner chooses not to fly it this year.
Flyable, might mean, yes you could start it and develop enough power to takeoff and fly around, but you really need to take a long look at it mechanically.
Ferriable- with some work, it could take to the air, and be flown to another location. Certainly not restored or capable of passing an annual inspection without further work. Say the fabric needs to be replaced or the props haven't been overhauled in more than 7 years.
"Could Fly" or (?) Airplanes that the engines run(but may be making metal) at least one magneto is good on each engine, controls are hooked up but probably not balanced, instruments are all there but probably couldn't be trusted in flight, and certainly many would be inop.
I just made these up and invite you guys to refine or correct.

"Flyable" to some people is just a redneck-mod to go fly.

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"There are two types of people here; airshow whores and airshow prostitutes. The whores, like you and I, do airshow stuff for free, whereas the prostitutes are paid" - Reg Urschler

Lets see...for FAA PTS purposes an airplane is airworthy as determined by the PIC if:

Airworthiness Certificate
Registration Certificate
Operating Limitations POH or AFM
Weight and Balance

All AD's are complied with
V O R Check every 30 days only required for IFR flight
I 100hr / Annual Inspection
A Altimeter / Pitot Static system every 24 Calendar Months
T Transponder every 24 Calendar months
E L T 12 months or 1/2 useful life of the battery is gone or 1hr of continuous use

This covers everything to make ANY airplane legally airworthy.