Warbird Information Exchange

So anyone know who's exactly in charge of "Doc", and anyway of contacting this person?

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Bob

So what exactly does experimental catagory mean?
Is is similar to what is allowed on homebuilt aircraft?
A person with no A&P can build an airplane and fly it, and work on every aspect of that aircraft right?
Is there an FAA inspection for a home built aircraft, to be airworthy?
So to accomplish that inspection do they tear it all apart to make sure it was all done correctly?
And can't said airplane builder do all his/her own annual inspections?
I thought there was a problem with the FAA about installing different engines on FiFi and or doing certain modifications to said engines?
I think antique aircraft should be exempt from FAA rules or work it like the home built scene.

For experimental amateur built the builder/owner can do the annual inspection. If the owner is not the builder, I believe an A&P can sign off the annual. For experimental exhibition an IA has to sign off the annual just like any certified airplane.

Sorry Brandon, but that's not entirely true. The Operating Limitations issued with each aircraft in Experimental, Exhibition Category (in which FIFI is categorized) determine the minimum rating of the mechanic(s) working on the airplane.

For example, FIFI's Operating Limitations say the following:
"Only FAA-certified and rated Airframe and Powerplant mechanics and appropriately rated repair stations may perform condition inspections on this aircraft in accordance with Appendix D of Part 43."

And engguy...Like I said before, there is NO PROBLEM with our engine program and the FAA. Period.

Gary

Rats! And it's only January....

I beleive that the FAA is indeed working at an new a/c class description for Vintage machines that will allow the use of parts not necessarily designed for that a/c. What we in Canada affectionally call the "Owner Maintenance Class" which the FAA stubbornly will not recognize and allow flying in the US sky... oh well.

This to allow old planes to continue flying, even so some parts cannot be procured anymore. Kind of like the Experimental category mixed with homebuilt. Best example of this situation is old style gas selector valve in the C-140. Original was just like one from a John Deere tractor ! Not available anymore, while there are perfectly good and better new ones on the market. Not STD'd or PMA'd, can't use them on your certified bird !

I cannot begin to imagine how one keeps finding some parts for many of the warbirds still flying today... Specially when there are so little of them left flying !

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Michel C
Thousands of a/c pics at Passion-Aviation

To coin an overused phrase, "What ever"

Doesn't it strike anyone funny, that here a mechanic know nothing without any mechanic experience of anysort, can do all phases of work on and built a flying aircraft, but then the FAA would not allow someone with demonstrated apptitude and past experience to do work on a warbird.
I really don't get it.
And like Michel mentioned fabbing part that are not obtainable, whats the difference again between warbird and homebuilt?
It should be even simpler with engines, it will either run and last or it won't. There have been many many professionally overhauled at FAA repair facility engines that crap out. In all my years of doing engine work I have never had one blow up, seize up or ?

Anyone can do any kind of work they want as long as the authorized person supervisig the work signs it off.

Dont know what the technical difference is but a good friend of mine has restored a T6 and two P51's in his workshop behind his house so does that make them Warbirds or Homebuilts?????