The EAA Technical Counselor Program
An EAA Technical Counselor is an individual who has elected to volunteer to pass along his or her expertise in the technical matters of building and restoring aircraft. These individuals are part of the "member helping member" tradition of the Experimental Aircraft Association. They advise builders and restorers on constructing a safe, airworthy aircraft for final FAA inspection at no cost to the builder. In order to qualify as an EAA Technical Counselor, an individual must meet at least one of the following:
* Have built an experimental category aircraft;
* Have restored an antique/classic aircraft;
* Hold an A&P, IA, DAR, DER or Aerospace Engineer rating in the U.S., an equivalent international rating or have the qualifications
for those ratings;
* In the case of an ultralight Technical Counselor, have experience and ability to provide technical assistance to ultralight
aircraft builders.
These advisors visit projects and advise builders and restorers on how to comply with building instructions and federal regulations. They offer tips based on their experience and help builders avoid costly mistakes. Through Technical Counselors, EAA helps maintain the excellent reputation of the amateur-built program.
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Homebuilt ARAC publishes their Results
The Aviation Rule Making Committee (ARAC), meeting to help decide the fate of the ‘51% Rule’ [FAR 21.191(g)], has released their final report. As a result, the FAA has suspended their analysis of any additional kits to determine if they meet the rule. To read EAA’s coverage of the report, visit the EAA News Site.
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Follow-up on Precision selling their carburetor business.
In case you haven't read the press releases in the various aviation publications, Aero Accessories/Tempest is purchasing the Precision MSA carburetor line and will continue producing and distributing the popular model of carburetor and replacement parts. The purchase and movement of the production facilities to North Carolina should be completed by the end of January 2008.
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Got TCP?
The latest electronic newsletter from EAA included an article stating that ALCOR, maker of the TCP fuel additive has halted distribution of the product. It has not stopped it's manufacture, just it's shipping. It cited problems with leaking or broken caps on the containers. Since the contents of the containers is considered a hazardous substance, the company had no choice other than to stop shipment of the product until a solution to the problem can be found. They estimate that they will be able to resume shipments by April 2008. Until then, you might find TCP in short supply so it might be a good idea to visit your nearest supplier and buy what you need until shipments are resumed. You can read more on the EAA Website.
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Precision is selling their carburetor business.
Today's email edition of AvWeb Business reported that Precision Airmotive, the maker of the MSA line of carburetors has entered into an agreement to sell the carburetor business to "a group including Tim Henderson, President of Aero Accessories, and others involved in the manufacture of the Tempest brand of general aviation products." The article said that the business would be moved to an unnamed manufacturing facility in North Carolina. There was no mention in the press release of the liability insurance problem that caused Precision to cease manufacture of carburetor parts last month.
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FAA SAIB for Homebuilders
I received an email notice from the FAA Regulatory and Guidance Library today that included a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) on the subject of Doors. The SAIB, dated 16 October 2007, deals with an accident involving an amateur-built aircraft on it's fourth hour of flight test time. This particular aircraft had a side-latching canopy with three pins which slid into pin receptacles, preventing the canopy from rotating upward, however, there was no provision for locking or latching the pins in place. On take-off at low altitude, the pins worked their way out of their receptacles and the canopy opened. This resulted in a loss of control until the pilot could grab the canopy, force it down and hold it there, regaining partial control. The subsequent landing resulted in the aircraft departing the runway paved surface. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the pilot received serious injuries. The SAIB urges builders to insure that any door latching mechanisms have a method of positively locking the door/canopy in it's desired position. The full text of the SAIB CE-07-44R1 may be found here or at the FAA Regulatory and Guidance Library.