Flight Advisors and Technical Counselors

Within EAA Chapter 1600 we have a number of qualified technical counselors and flight advisors who can help with many aspects of building and operating an amateur-built or other aircraft type. You may contact them at these email addresses:

Flight Advisor

Details of the Flight Advisor (FA) program can be found here: EAA Flight Advisor Program Information 

Quoting from that web page:

What does the flight advisor do?
A flight advisor helps the pilot conduct a self evaluation, as well, as evaluate the flying characteristics of the aircraft. The pilot then uses that evaluation to decide whether he or she is capable of flying that airplane. If not capable, the flight advisor explains where and how he or she can get the proper instruction, or alternatively find someone to make the initial flights.  A flight advisor also suggests best practices to follow when flight testing a homebuilt aircraft (e.g. runway selection, weather minima, etc.)

This is quite a limited description, however. An advisor appointed by the EAA is covered by limited liability insurance provided by the organization. Like all insurance it has limits, so when acting in the capacity of a FA the advisor cannot (for example) provide fight instruction, endorse particular persons or organizations, fly with the builder/student etc.

EAA members wear multiple hats, however, so in practice it may be possible to receive all manner of practical help and advice, but it won't always come from under a Flight Advisor's hat.

The chapter, and to some extent the FA can provide advice in many of these areas:

• Which aircraft are best suited for the missions i have in mind
• Are those aircraft/missions realistic for my level of piloting experience
• Are there others in the chapter/area who have experience with the aircraft I am considering
• Is there a way to get a ride in a similar aircraft to see if I like it
• If I need to sharpen my flying skills to make this a safe choice, where can I go to get instruction

For the most part, these questions are answered by relying on the experience of other chapter and EAA members. The job of the FA here is to maintain an understanding of where to go for detailed advice, experience and resources. Who locally has built/flown which aircraft and who might the new builder be referred to learn more about the fight characteristics and required skill level.

When the build is complete and the time comes to fly the new aircraft it is often the case that the time (and expense) spent building has detracted from the time available to fly. This problem has been implicated in a number of unfortunate accidents that have taken place early on in flight testing a new aircraft. Here again the flight advise may be able to help by suggesting resources that will help:

• Determining if you the builder are the best person to test your new creation
• If not, whom might you call upon to help safely perform the first flights and subsequent testing
• Understanding your operating limitations
• Understanding your insurance limitations
• Exactly what is the plan for the first flight
  • What weather conditions are required
  • How will in-flight issues be handled
  • What emergency procedures will be rehearsed
  • What will be tested (or explicitly not be tested) during the first and each subsequent flight
  • Will it be possible/desirable to have a second pilot on-board during flight testing
• From where may the first flight be conducted (Airport, runway)
• Who should/should not be present
• What special equipment is needed for the test flight(s)

Additional Pilot Program

It used to be the case that flight testing of an experimental aircraft had to be performed by required crew members only and since the EAA specifically stated that there are no known amateur-built aircraft designs that require more than one crew member, flight testing could only be performed solo. A corollary of this regulation being that flight training may not take place during phase one flight testing.

It is still true that no flight training is appropriate or permitted during phase one testing, but under certain very specific circumstances it is possible to carry a second, very qualified pilot to assist with the testing process.

The details of the "Additional Pilot" program can be found in Advisory Circular 90-116 Note that very specific qualifications, circumstance and log book entries are required and persons holding the necessary qualifications may not be easy to find. - The Flight Advisor can certain help to locate a suitable candidate.

The Additional Pilot program may be very useful in those cases where the safety of the test flights would be improved by the presence of a second, more experienced pilot and where calibration and measurement of on board systems (EFIS, auto-pilot and other components) needs to be performed.

The additional pilot is a further example of a function that cannot technically be performed by an EAA Flight Advisor, but which may be performed by a person who also happens to be a Flight Advisor but who is choosing not to act in that capacity for the duration of the test flight. 

Technical counselors

Objectives
The Technical Counselor program was developed to deal with the mechanical factors that can present potential issues during your first flight in a homebuilt. No one knows how to do everything and everyone starts as a beginner. The Technical Counselors obviously do not “know it all”. But they have experience that will help the builder. Especially on their first build.

1. Increased airframe and powerplant safety.
2. Builder/restorer education
3. Increased completion rate

The Technical Counselor’s Goals:

1. To pass along information that is 100% correct.
2. Please don’t be disappointed if your TC does not have an answer for everything.
3. But they normally know someone who does know.

Some of the other things that a TC will try to address:

1. Any safety concerns that may be apparent.
2. Tips on how to accomplish a difficult or confusing build step
3. Where to source some parts or supplies
4. Other members that can also help

Do the DARs and the FAA want to see that you have had visits by a Technical Counselor?

• Most DARs and FAA folks are in complete agreement that you have some “second set of eyes” on your build. No matter how good we think we are in our abilities, we miss things.
• The FAA does not do in progress inspections. The FAA is concerned about safety, but they are very concerned the paperwork and documentation is perfect.
• A TC can help with understanding what paperwork and documentation is needed for the FAA and DAR final inspection and sign-off.
• If the paperwork is not correct and all the correct actions leading up to the FAA/DAR inspection, there is very little wiggle room. It has to be right.

When do I have visits by a TC?
The recommended stages are:

1. 1st component fabrication
2. fuselage assembly
3. Wing assembly
4. Engine installation
5. Final assembly

EAA Technical Counselor Report

Two reasons why this is important

• The information is in a data base that helps tracks trends to gather information to target where EAA needs to focus efforts concerning safety.
• The statistics are compiled to ascertain the effectiveness of the program to various industry and government leaders. (no information is kept to bite you later on)

What a TC will not do

1. Charge you for their visit
2. Criticize your workmanship
3. Overlook any safety concerns
4. Offer their services as paid help
5. Declare an aircraft as “airworthy”

The Technical Counselor may ask a lot of questions - Including:

1. Are you documenting what you are doing?
2. Are you paying attention to the correct fasteners for the correct situation?
3. Are you aware of all the potential chaffing and rubbing points?
4. Are you paying attention to properly set rivets?
5. And many more.

Preliminary to the Aircraft inspection

1. Registration is good with Oklahoma City
2. Registration numbers is on plane
3. Form 8130-6 done
4. Eligibility statement
5. Weight and Balance correct
6. Builders log with pictures
   Tags for engine, propeller, airframe. Are they correct?
7. Logbooks for engine, airframe, and prop?
8. Is aircraft 100% complete?
9. Aircraft opened up for the FAA inspection
10. Aircraft to plans?

The Technical Counselor does not come in with a “Big Head”
The TC will try to come to help you with advice that you can ignore or you can use. There is no obligation that requires you to do what the TC says. But at least listen to that advice once, and think about it. We are all very concerned about the one very important concept. SAFETY.