Along with the early success of the new, comprehensive EAA Flight Test Manual for those building and test flying amateur-built aircraft — more than 600 have been sold in less than a month — EAA’s advocacy staff also ensured that this new publication is in the hands of policymakers at both the FAA and NTSB. Copies of the manual and accompanying test cards were shipped this week to FAA and NTSB headquarters as a resource for leaders within those agencies.
The EAA Flight Test Manual brings the processes and procedures of professional flight testing to the amateur-built aircraft community. The 47-page manual includes outlines for each essential flight test point, as well as a booklet of 19 test cards that can be carried in the aircraft for quick reference and data collection while in flight. Those test cards are similar to those used by professional civilian and military test pilots, and are an exclusive resource for amateur-built aircraft pilots using the manual.
“While the accident rate for amateur-built aircraft is at historic lows, EAA is relentless in seeking continual improvement through education,” said Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety. “We are sharing this publication with both the FAA and NTSB as an example of the possibilities when we pursue a common goal of safety.”
The EAA Flight Test Manual is also part of EAA’s comprehensive effort to meet and exceed the National Transportation Safety Board’s recommendations for enhancing amateur-built aircraft safety, especially in the initial hours of flight testing. It allows pilots to have a full understanding of an aircraft’s performance, characteristics, and limitations. It is also designed to be a handy reference that accompanies the aircraft for future flights.
The manual is one segment of EAA’s work with the FAA to create a new, alternative Phase I flight testing program using a requirements-based foundation. That could bring a significantly reduced flight test hour requirement in exchange for successful completion of the step-by-step flight testing program.
The EAA Flight Test Manual is available online at $17.95 for EAA members and $22.95 for nonmembers.