The Inspection Process

ABOUT THE INSPECTION

So you've just about finished building your kitplane and are apprehensive about the airworthiness inspection?

Relax, I'm here to help you with that. I will walk you through all the details and we will have fun certifying your aircraft.

I will assist you with the airworthiness application process in the FAA Airworthiness Certification (AWC) - Applicant Portal, where you will request me to be your DAR.

When I come out to inspect your aircraft I will be looking for things you may have overlooked or didn't finish to aviation standards. In addition to inspecting the entire aircraft, I will closely examine every fastener and every part in the flight control and engine control systems, because every one of these items can kill you if not assembled properly!

I will work with you to verify any discrepancies are fixed before issuing your A/W certificate. I want your aircraft to be as safe as possible and to bring you many years of happiness.

Believe me, I know how hard it is to complete a kitplane, and I know how easy it is to overlook something you've looked at a thousand times, I will try my best to find these things so they don't cause you problems in the future. I'm working for your safety, not the FAA's!

I believe my eye for detail and my methodical inspection technique is the difference between a "paperwork" airworthiness inspection and a "flight safety" airworthiness inspection! 

The choice is yours, do you want a thorough airworthiness inspection or do you simply want a paperwork airworthiness inspection?

Contact me, I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the airworthiness inspection process.

Contact me at Tony@dartony.com

THE DETAILS

The FAA and the EAA have both published quite a bit of information on building and certifying an "Amateur Built Aircraft" and how to apply for your Airworthiness Certificate.

One of the best magazine articles I have seen on the DAR inspections was written by Dave Prizio in Kitplanes magazine. I suggest you read it at least twice. Getting Your Plane Ready for the DAR. 

The first thing to become familiar with the Advisory Circular AC 20-27G "Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft" from the FAA. It is vitally important that you read and understand AC 20-27G!

This AC covers the requirements for Certification Eligibility for amateur built aircraft, particularly, the requirement for the builder to prove that they (or other amateurs) built the major portion (51% rule) of the aircraft for their own "Education and Recreation" and the amount of "Commercial Assistance" and work completed by the kit manufacturer doesn't  exceed 50%. Otherwise the aircraft may not be eligible for an experimental amateur-built airworthiness certificate.

MY FEE

I can perform Airworthiness Inspections in any FSDO district in the USA. When you apply for your Airworthiness certificate in the FAA AWC - Applicant Portal, you will request me as your DAR. I am a DAR-T in the East Michigan FSDO.

My base fee is $600 within the "bullseye" on the map shown below, and increases by $100 for every 60 mile boundary crossed, i.e., Ann Arbor = $600, Lansing or Fort Wayne = $700, Grand Rapids or Dayton = $800, etc. 

This fee structure compensates me for my round-trip travel time and is subject to change based on other factors, such as flying around Lake Michigan (vs flying over it) to perform an inspection in Wisconsin, for example.

AC 20-27G says the following about DAR fees;

The FAA’s ability to inspect and certify aircraft is greatly enhanced by the use of FAA designated airworthiness representatives (DAR). DARs are the primary resource for the certification of amateur-built aircraft. You may contact your local FAA office to locate an authorized DAR. DARs are authorized to charge a fee for their services, which they set. We do not govern this fee.

Please contact me with any questions, and all inquiries for inspections outside of the outer ring.