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Amateur-built and experimental aircraft PDF

142 Pages·2009·4.87 MB·English
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PA ATSB TRANSPORT SAFETY REPORT arm Aviation Research and Analysis Report – AR-2007-043 (1) ta 1t Final e A: u r s-b uu rvil et y a on fd ow e Amateur-built and experimental x np ee rr s aim aircraft ne dn bt ua ildl a eir rc sr oa f Vft Part 1: H - r A survey of owners and builders of e g i s VH- registered non-factory aircraft t e r e d n o n - f a c t o r y a i r c r a f t AR2007043(1).indd 1 18/06/09 11:46 AM ATSB TRANSPORT SAFETY REPORT Aviation Research and Analysis AR-2007-043(1) Final Amateur-built and experimental aircraft Part 1 A survey of owners and builders of VH- registered non-factory aircraft   - i - Published by: Australian Transport Safety Bureau Postal address: PO Box 967, Civic Square ACT 2608 Office location: 62 Northbourne Ave, Canberra City, Australian Capital Territory, 2601 Telephone: 1800 020 616, from overseas +61 2 6257 4150 Accident and incident notification: 1800 011 034 (24 hours) Facsimile: 02 6247 3117, from overseas +61 2 6247 3117 Email: [email protected] Internet: www.atsb.gov.au © Commonwealth of Australia 2009. This work is copyright. In the interests of enhancing the value of the information contained in this publication you may copy, download, display, print, reproduce and distribute this material in unaltered form (retaining this notice). However, copyright in the material obtained from other agencies, private individuals or organisations, belongs to those agencies, individuals or organisations. Where you want to use their material you will need to contact them directly. Subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968, you must not make any other use of the material in this publication unless you have the permission of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. Please direct requests for further information or authorisation to: Commonwealth Copyright Administration, Copyright Law Branch Attorney-General’s Department, Robert Garran Offices, National Circuit, Barton, ACT 2600 www.ag.gov.au/cca ISBN and formal report title: see ‘Document retrieval information’ on page v. - ii - CONTENTS THE AUSTRALIAN TRANSPORT SAFETY BUREAU ................................. vi  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................. vii  ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................ ix  1  INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 1  1.1  Background ........................................................................................... 1  1.1.1  What are amateur-built and experimental aircraft? ................... 1  1.1.2  Shifts in the ABE aviation industry ........................................... 5  1.1.3  Previous research ....................................................................... 7  1.2  Objectives ............................................................................................. 8  1.3  Legislation for ABE aircraft ................................................................. 8  1.4  Aircraft associations ........................................................................... 17  1.5  Phases of ABE aircraft ownership ...................................................... 18  1.6  Aims ................................................................................................... 20  1.7  Scope .................................................................................................. 20  2  METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................... 21  2.1  Survey distribution and response ........................................................ 21  2.1.1  Survey response rate ................................................................ 21  2.2  Survey design ..................................................................................... 22  2.2.1  Structure ................................................................................... 22  2.2.2  Questions ................................................................................. 22  2.3  Survey user testing .............................................................................. 24  2.4  Survey analysis ................................................................................... 24  2.4.1  General method ........................................................................ 24  2.4.2  Aircraft analysis methods ........................................................ 24  2.4.3  Statistics ................................................................................... 27  3  RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ................................................................... 31  3.1  Survey details ..................................................................................... 31  3.2  Respondents ........................................................................................ 32  3.2.1  Age ........................................................................................... 32  3.2.2  Type of pilot licence ................................................................ 32  3.2.3  Flying background ................................................................... 33  3.2.4  Total pilot hours ....................................................................... 34  3.2.5  Pilot hours in the last year ........................................................ 36  - iii - 3.2.6  Type of flying performed in ABE aircraft ............................... 38  3.3  Aircraft ............................................................................................... 38  3.3.1  Aircraft types and models ........................................................ 38  3.3.2  Aircraft components ................................................................ 42  3.3.3  Operating certificate ................................................................ 51  3.3.4  Aircraft age and owned time .................................................... 52  3.4  Reason for purchase ............................................................................ 52  3.5  Building .............................................................................................. 59  3.5.1  Built and flown ABE ............................................................... 59  3.5.2  Type of build process ............................................................... 60  3.5.3  Build modifications.................................................................. 62  3.5.4  Build challenges ....................................................................... 65  3.5.5  Build resources ........................................................................ 70  3.5.6  Flying activities during construction ....................................... 77  3.6  Test flight ............................................................................................ 78  3.6.2  Initial test flights ...................................................................... 83  3.6.3  Post-test flight evaluation ........................................................ 85  3.7  Aircraft building cost .......................................................................... 88  3.8  Second-hand aircraft ........................................................................... 88  3.9  Transition training .............................................................................. 90  3.9.1  Access and usefulness .............................................................. 91  3.9.2  Aircraft and training ................................................................. 92  3.9.3  Effect of pilot type, operation type and flying activity ............ 93  3.9.4  Aircraft performance and training ........................................... 96  3.9.5  When transition training was not undertaken ........................ 100  3.9.6  Bias and transition training .................................................... 101  3.10  Maintenance ..................................................................................... 101  3.10.1 Airframe maintenance ............................................................ 104  3.10.2 Engine maintenance ............................................................... 105  3.10.3 Avionics maintenance ............................................................ 106  3.10.4 Maintenance comments ......................................................... 107  4  CONCLUSIONS ......................................................................................... 109  5  REFERENCES ............................................................................................ 111  APPENDIX A:  SOURCES AND SUBMISSIONS ....................................... 117  APPENDIX B:  SURVEY ............................................................................... 118  APPENDIX C:  TABLES OF RESPONSES ................................................. 126    - iv - DOCUMENT RETRIEVAL INFORMATION Report No. Publication date No. of pages ISBN AR-2007-043 June 2009 139 978-1-921602-73-3 Publication title Amateur-built and experimental aircraft. Part 1: A survey of owners and builders of VH- registered non-factory aircraft Author(s) Stanton, D.R. Taylor, R.P. Prepared By Reference Number Australian Transport Safety Bureau INFRA-08548 PO Box 967, Civic Square ACT 2608 Australia www.atsb.gov.au Acknowledgements Thank you to the ABE owners who completed this survey Mr Paul Halliday, Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics Mr Graham Malcolm, CEO Australian National Aviation Museum, Moorabbin Mr Keith Meggs DFM, Aviation Historical Society of Australia Mr John Hopton, Aviation Historical Society of Australia Mr Roger Meyer, Civil Aviation Historical Society Mr Brian Hunter, Sport Aircraft Association of Australia Mr David Francis, Sport Aircraft Association of Australia Ms Hirut Yigezu, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Mr Rod Carter, Civil Aviation Safety Authority Figure 6: Grumman F9F Panther replica aircraft courtesy of Robert Frola Figure 27: A Glasair IIS-RG aircraft courtesy of Neville Murphy Figure 30: Stipa Caproni courtesy of Falco Builders Newsletter Figures 49, 50: Van’s kit aircraft courtesy of Van’s. Abstract Non-factory amateur-built and experimental (ABE) aircraft are a popular alternative to general aviation aircraft. In Australia, there is little comprehensive data on these aircraft and what people do when building or buying them second-hand. Key players in this part of aviation were consulted in developing a survey to better understand these aircraft builders and owners. The survey was distributed electronically and in hard copy to owners of VH-registered ABE aircraft, and about 50 per cent of active ABE aircraft owners answered the survey. It focussed on choice of aircraft, construction and modifications, test flights, transition training, and maintenance. It provides a valuable reference point for aircraft operators, those considering ABE aircraft, aviation regulators, and aircraft associations. In developing a more comprehensive understanding of this sector of aviation, relevant parties are in a better position to plan, build and operate ABE aircraft in the future. - v - THE AUSTRALIAN TRANSPORT SAFETY BUREAU The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is an operationally independent multi-modal bureau within the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. ATSB investigations are independent of regulatory, operator or other external organisations. The ATSB is responsible for investigating accidents and other transport safety matters involving civil aviation, marine and rail operations in Australia that fall within Commonwealth jurisdiction, as well as participating in overseas investigations involving Australian registered aircraft and ships. A primary concern is the safety of commercial transport, with particular regard to fare-paying passenger operations. The ATSB performs its functions in accordance with the provisions of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 and Regulations and, where applicable, relevant international agreements. Purpose of safety investigations The object of a safety investigation is to enhance safety. To reduce safety-related risk, ATSB investigations determine and communicate the safety factors related to the transport safety matter being investigated. It is not the object of an investigation to determine blame or liability. However, an investigation report must include factual material of sufficient weight to support the analysis and findings. At all times the ATSB endeavours to balance the use of material that could imply adverse comment with the need to properly explain what happened, and why, in a fair and unbiased manner. Developing safety action Central to the ATSB’s investigation of transport safety matters is the early identification of safety issues in the transport environment. The ATSB prefers to encourage the relevant organisation(s) to proactively initiate safety action rather than release formal recommendations. However, depending on the level of risk associated with a safety issue and the extent of corrective action undertaken by the relevant organisation, a recommendation may be issued either during or at the end of an investigation. The ATSB has decided that when safety recommendations are issued, they will focus on clearly describing the safety issue of concern, rather than providing instructions or opinions on the method of corrective action. As with equivalent overseas organisations, the ATSB has no power to implement its recommendations. It is a matter for the body to which an ATSB recommendation is directed (for example the relevant regulator in consultation with industry) to assess the costs and benefits of any particular means of addressing a safety issue. About ATSB investigation reports: How investigation reports are organised and definitions of terms used in ATSB reports, such as safety factor, contributing safety factor and safety issue, are provided on the ATSB web site www.atsb.gov.au   - vi - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In the last three decades, both in Australia and overseas, there has been significant growth in the number of amateur-built and experimental (ABE) aircraft. In general, ABE aircraft refer to aircraft that are built for personal use from an original design, established plans or kit, and which are not built in a factory. There are a wide variety of ABE aircraft from single to twin-engine, piston to jet-powered, and single-seat up to six-seat aircraft. While these aircraft continue to increase in popularity, there has been little formal study of them in Australia and worldwide. Operational and demographic data on ABE aircraft are largely incomplete in comparison to data held for other types of aircraft. This report examines non-factory amateur-built and experimental aircraft in Australia. It looks at the ABE community, including pilots and their aircraft, regulatory changes, and growth and development of aircraft associations over time. Data for this report was gathered using a survey sent to owners and builders of flying VH-registered ABE aircraft. This survey focused on the choice of aircraft, construction, and modifications, test flights, transition training, and maintenance. The intent of the survey was to gain a picture of ABE aircraft activities in Australia, and in doing so increase awareness of issues affecting the purchase, construction, and continued safe operation of these aircraft among builders, owners and pilots, manufacturers and government. Key results from this survey are: • ABE owners were primarily of retirement age, and private pilots; • on average, thirty per cent of their total flying hours were flown in ABE aircraft; • on average, ABE aircraft accumulated forty-two airframe hours in the previous year; • build challenge, personal satisfaction, aircraft performance, price, operational costs, and ability to perform maintenance were important reasons for purchasing an ABE aircraft. Ability to customise was less important as a reason for purchase; • thirty-three percent of builders made major modifications during the build process; • seventy per cent of ABE owners undertook transition training, and this was more likely among private pilots, and those with fewer total hours; • for eighty-five percent of respondents, one person performed all maintenance on the aircraft; and, • automotive engines and avionics were associated with the greatest build challenge. This report has presented an interesting picture of VH- registered ABE aviation in Australia. While many of these facts have been known anecdotally, this report places greater specificity on different aspects of ABE aircraft building and operation. It provides a valuable reference point for aircraft operators, those considering ABE aircraft, aviation regulators, and aircraft associations. In developing a better understanding of this sector of aviation, relevant parties are in a better position to plan, build, and operate ABE aircraft into the future. - vii - - viii -

Description:
www.ag.gov.au/cca. ISBN and formal report title: see 'Document retrieval information' on page v. 3.5.5 Build resources Figure 27: A Glasair IIS-RG aircraft courtesy of Neville Murphy established plans or kit, and which are not built in a factory Figure 7: Growth of VH- registered ABE aircraft.
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