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USA Builders - Sport-Light Aircraft

Subject: USA Builders - Sport-Light Aircraft
From: Fred Fillinger <fillinger@ameritech.net>
Date: Sat, 9 Mar 2002 23:28:47
Hi, all --

Has anyone considered the impact of this proposed rule?  Seems all you
have to do (for trigear) is submit W&B for 1,232# gross, at which
weight you should meet the stall speed limits.  Better for 912, where
you can max at 115 knots with prop pitch, followed by later
maintenance error in setting pitch. :-)  Even for 912S, there's hope. 
Don't have to flight test max Vh with wheel fairings (oops, left 'em
at home), and do it on a hot, turbulent day.  For 914, looks like too
heavy.  Sounds like civil disobedience, but there's gonna be some of
that in the SLA rule, I predict, and FAA's ability to enforce here
will slightly exceed that of the ultralights.

The advantage is a "paper basis" for continued flight if one loses a
medical on some dinky thing.  You'd have to build light, and be
"overgross" with any baggage with pax and full fuel.  But trying to
recertify later at lower weight/performance #'s, should loss of
medical happen, will raise a red flag.  It seems worth a try on
initial cert, and considering this may help guide new bldrs in gear
choice and light-building practices.

Just 'typing out loud.'  Any thoughts?

Regards,
Fred F.


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