DAR HB Certification

Once you have your aircraft registered with the FAA and your "N" number has been assigned (not reserved, but assigned) you can go ahead and apply the number permanently to the aircraft. At this time you also have your aircraft serial number registered with the FAA and can complete your aircraft data plate. REMEMBER !! the information on your Aircraft Registration (8050-3 hard card), your aircraft data plate, and the Airworthiness Certificate the DAR issues must all match. This is a common mistake. Often times the builder will send in the Application for Registration listing the builder as John E. Doe. To stay within the accepted business form etiquette the FAA will send your 8050-3 hard card back listing the builder or manufacture as Doe John E. If you have your data plate already made up and installed on the aircraft we have a problem. It’s a good idea to register your aircraft first and then match your data plate to the registration card. Hold short of installing the plate if you are in question until the DAR's on-sight visit.

During the next several weeks start working on the balance of your packet. It is during this time that the DAR is available to answer questions regarding the information required for certification. Its not hard to complete but can sometimes be difficult. The FAA often uses different lingo for the same request. For example on the Application for Airworthiness they will ask for the builders name. You put yours right? You built it! But then you look on the hard card and it refers to the manufacture as a Vans RV, because that’s the people you bought the kit from. The builder/manufacture of the aircraft was you Doe John E. Vans were the guys that put all the parts needed to build an aircraft in a box and sold them to you. Its little things like this that can delay your certification if not completed correctly. Soon all paperwork details will be completed and the packet should be sent to your DAR for processing. This will take approximately one week. Once the DAR has reviewed your application packet, a time will be scheduled for your on-sight visit.

Your on-sight visit should be a pleasant one for both you and the DAR. Most DAR's arrive expecting a professional, well lit, supportive environment. How you present your product can say a great deal about you as the builder. Your DAR will be inspecting your aircraft to the point of assuring himself that a safe, professional attempt was put forth by you the builder, to build this aircraft and achieve its certification. To support his visit, provide a hanger or suitable enclosure for your inspection, good lighting, heat if required, a creeper to inspect the bottom side of your project, hospitality, etc. Keep in mind an average on-sight visit lasts 4 to 5 hours. Have the aircraft 100% airworthy before the on-sight visit and then opened up as though we were going to do a condition (annual) inspection. This should include things like inspection panels, cowlings, interiors to the point of inspecting primary flight controls, etc. The DAR may ask you to open up additional areas for inspection along the way. Remember we are asking him to look our aircraft over using his skills and knowledge. While our hopes are that he finds our project in tip top shape, we shouldn't be surprised if we are asked to tighten this or reposition that during the inspection. Have available a basic set of tools for such requests. Round up all the data you have covering the building process, receipts, pictures, tech counselors reports, drawings, etc. When the DAR shows up we want to be able to gain his confidence that we did a top notch job of building our aircraft. Have available a comfortable table and chairs set up for you and the DAR to spread out your data during the on-sight visit. This will be used again during the debrief that will take place following the inspection of the aircraft.

Once the aircraft has been inspected and all items of airworthiness addressed we will move from the inspection process to the certification debrief. Most often the DAR will come prepared to certify the aircraft with regards to forms and documents. As always the FAA requires most information in duplicate or even triplicate so be prepared. Many familiar forms will be presented for your signature as well as the DAR's. If you would like to keep any copies of your certification packet paperwork for prosperity, have them copied prior to the visit. Share what you have copied with the DAR, not so much for his approval, but for his opinion. We don't want sensitive information about us or our aircraft available to the public. A detailed explanation of how you will be operating the aircraft within Phase 1 and Phase 2 will be covered during this time. Take your time during this explanation and be sure you understand the requirements, restrictions, and differences regarding Phase 1 and Phase 2 operation.

Once we have completed all paperwork requirements and answered all questions we move into the issuance of the Airworthiness Certificate. From this day forward your hard efforts transform from a project to an aircraft. Once you have the aircraft returned to an airworthy condition you are certified to start your Phase 1 testing period.

One last piece of advice. The FAA has published a helpful Advisory Circular, AC#90-89A that covers a well laid out procedure for moving your aircraft through the Phase 1 testing process. I recommend using this resource.

Good luck

Dan Folkers

DAR