Larry Simpson

Document ID: FAA-2008-0797-0005
Document Type: Public Submission
Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Received Date: July 31 2008, at 11:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Date Posted: July 31 2008, at 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
Comment Start Date: July 15 2008, at 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
Comment Due Date: 
Tracking Number: 806a2ee6
View Document:  View as format xml

View Comment

The absurdity of the new “Amateur-Built Assembly Checklist” is frightening. The official check list numbers 187 items. In actuality, there are additional unnumbered rows labeled “Additional items” for each of the 6 sub sections, so you can fill in 193 rows on the official form. It is not a stretch to assume that you could list each of the additional items separately, resulting in a lot more than 187 items in your final list. Yet, the directions in Note 2 instruct you to “divide by 187”. Does this mean you can list additional items but they don’t count? If you list 207 items will the FAA allow you to divide by that number? That would be at least superficially logical, but who knows? Each item carries the same weight. So if you “Fabricate Seat Brackets and Fittings” (item 182) you get exactly the same amount of credit as if you “Fabricate Electrical Wiring, Controls and Switches” (item 186). Well, I did both of those things. Item 182 took part of one day while Item 186 took the better part of a year. And the FAA considers these of equal weight and significance? Oh yeah, I had some professional help on item 186, so I only get partial credit. “Fabricate Engine Propeller” (Item 169) counts the same as “Assemble Propeller to Engine” (Item 171)? I assembled the propeller to my engine. It took 6 bolts and 10 minutes. Fabricating a propeller? I couldn’t in a million years, but even an experienced amateur with access to a machine shop is going to spend several days to weeks at that process. But the FAA says they count the same. There are four columns on the check list, including one for “commercial assistance”. There is no column for "Other assistance". So if I work side by side with a professional that I am paying, I get only partial credit. If I work side by side with my buddy or my brother and don’t pay him but maybe I owe him a favor, I guess I get full credit? The message here seems to be it is OK to barter with and get help from other amateurs who may not have a clue what they are doing (they don’t count), but God forbid you should pay a professional to teach you proper technique and help you do the job right. Where is the common sense?

Related Comments

    View All
Total: 21
Larry Dighera
Public Submission    Posted: 07/31/2008     ID: FAA-2008-0797-0002

Jeff Harrang
Public Submission    Posted: 07/31/2008     ID: FAA-2008-0797-0004

Larry Simpson
Public Submission    Posted: 07/31/2008     ID: FAA-2008-0797-0005

Totila Grandbergs
Public Submission    Posted: 08/04/2008     ID: FAA-2008-0797-0006

Thomas Turnbull
Public Submission    Posted: 08/05/2008     ID: FAA-2008-0797-0007