AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2011 - 100

For safety’s sake, companies have been known to perform far more than half the assembly. When the work is finished, you have what’s quaintly called a “homebuilt.” The owner’s name is part of the model name. That can be a source of pride, but personally I’d never fly an airplane that I built myself. I’ll leave that to the experts. Besides, “homebuilt” is a term that seems better associated, say, with building a bird house than with something as complex as an airplane. The day will dawn when it’s time for the homebuilt to have its first flight. Unfortunately, this is the time when many accidents occur. Builders who aren’t professional test pilots, or are less than proficient, often discover lousy handling characteristics on those first flights and come to grief. Pilots are a hearty breed, but even the heartiest among us can sometimes be grounded for medical issues. That’s why we’re proud to introduce the AOPA Medical Services Program — a new and comprehensive service developed by pilots for pilots to help keep you ﬂying. We’ll review your medical records prior to your application. Make sure your medications don’t interfere with your ﬂying. And keep you up to date on the latest medical news. This program is new to AOPA members, and new to the industry — there’s no other program for GA pilots with this many beneﬁts at one low price.

“Homebuilt” is a term that seems better associated, say, with building a bird house than with something as complex as an airplane.
Other issues crop up later in the Experimental aircraft’s life. Is the owner capable of maintaining and repairing the aircraft? Maybe yes, maybe no. Oversight of maintenance, accident analyses, and other safety issues are lacking in the Experimental world, and often there’s no formal structure or process for disseminating vital safety-of-flight information. That means no airworthiness directives and no service bulletins. So owner-pilots may not be aware of the need for repairs in the first place. For all these reasons, you should see a placard on every experimental aircraft, in plain view of passengers. The placard says: “This aircraft does not comply with federal safety regulations for Standard aircraft.” Is this a warning to the trusting passengers? Sounds like it. Yes, the Experimental category has developed some clever designs. There are many accomplished designer/builders. But not enough to make that placard go away. Email the author at tom.horne@aopa. org.
AOPA PILOT •

Here’s what you’ll get when you enroll:
• Access to AOPA Medical Specialists, who will answer your FAA medical certiﬁcation questions • Review of your medical records as it pertains to your FAA medical certiﬁcate • A liaison between you and the FAA • Customized online health risk assessments and information • Secure online medical records storage site • Informative medical e-newsletter geared toward pilots

Plus, a FREE prescription drug discount card with savings of 15% to 60%.
(Our Essential Package is $37 a year and includes the same valuable beneﬁts except review of your medical records.)

100 • SEPTEMBER

2011

http://www.aopa.org/medicalservices http://www.aopa.org/medicalservices

AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2011