OI11-5A3 On-site Visit Checklist.pdf

OPERATING INSTRUCTION 11-5, ATTACHMENT 3 30 Mar 2007

USAF TPS QUALITATIVE EVALUATION PROGRAM

ON-SITE VISIT CHECKLIST FOR OPERATIONS

This checklist is a guide intended for Operations to follow when evaluating a civilian owned aircraft and civilian instructor pilots (IPs) under consideration for use in the TPS

Qual Eval Program. This evaluation is an important part of the airworthiness determination and operational assessment of an aircraft qual. TPS uses this documentation, along with the LG and engineering analysis, to determine the risk assessment associated with the qual. This checklist outlines the minimum safety requirement and is only meant to be a starting point for further investigation. When inspecting the pilots, operation, and maintenance, keep in mind this aircraft and pilot will be flying with staff and students. Annotate any additional findings in the operations report.

FOR THE AIRCRAFT:

Before inspecting the aircraft, the aircraft type history must be researched. The method of research and inspection will vary dependent on the type of certification

1. If the aircraft is certified under Civil Standard Airworthiness (FAR Part 23/25 or

CAR Part 3), no operations review of the maintenance program is required. The exception would be any supplemental type certificates (STC) or Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) Fm 337 modifications and any FAA waivers will be evaluated to determine if any restrictions for the TPS qual-eval program are required.

2. If the aircraft is certified under Civil Experimental Certification then it falls under either (a) Homebuilt (Experimental Aircraft Association, EAA) or (b) FAA Order

8130.27. The general aircraft type will be researched for possible maintenance problems through the FAA and EAA. (General maintenance and operations trends, common accidents/incidents, history of this type of aircraft. Research on the particular airframe history will by done by LG.) If the aircraft is a homebuilt, the builder will be asked if the

EAA Technical Advisor guidance for homebuilt aircraft was followed in order to evaluate how well the aircraft was built. (For any aircraft, a good indicator of the maintenance is if the aircraft has won “Best In Show” or any EAA/airshow awards.) Any modifications and FAA waivers will be evaluated to determine any restrictions for use in the TPS qual-eval program. Aircraft speed and g limits will be determined using the envelope the aircraft was certified for or demonstrated to, whichever is more restrictive.

This may require supporting documentation such as the post heavy maintenance or annual inspection profile (including maximum speed, g’s, acrobatic maneuvers performed, systems evaluated). This history will be documented in an operations report for review by

TPS.

The following items on the aircraft should be evaluated:

AIRCRAFT AND TAIL #

INSPECTED

(X)

REMARKS

Wings (type/STOL?)

Fuselage

External stores/tanks?

Skin

(fabric, metal, composite)

Mechanical Systems:

Landing Gear Type:

(hyd, chain, fixed)

Canopy

(armed? easy to egress?)

Brakes/steering

(air, hyd, differential)

Engine HP/thrust to wt

Flight controls

(augmentation/reversible?)

Cockpit, General Condition

Adjustable seat & Rudders

Ejection Seat

(armed?)

Parachutes

(FAA cert?)

Placards & Labels

Dual controls

Interphone/Radio

(UHF or VHF)

Compatible w/mil equip?

Transponder

Checklist?

Avionics/systems:

GPS/moving map?

Weapons systems?

HUD/gunsight?

Glass cockpit instruments?

IFR Certified?

Other unique systems?

FOR THE INSTRUCTOR(S):

The TPS Qual Eval program requires instructors which can safely handle/operate the aircraft and demonstrate a high degree of airmanship and positive supervision. Having a current FAA Instructor Certificate with an appropriate rating, Letter of Authorization

(LOA) or a Letter of Airman Authorization (LOAA) does not necessarily imply superior airmanship. Inspect the instructor(s) certificate(s), LOA (if applicable), and medical

(obtain copies of all, if able). If there are any questions as to the type of certification required, research FAA Order 8130.27. The FSDO should be contacted with the full name and certificate numbers of the instructor(s) to get any further background information (violations, waivers, reputation, etc.) Include in your report a statement about whether the instructor has had any violations or if there is an issue with his/her reputation.

Inspect their pilot logbook(s) for:

Instructor #1 Instructor #2

Instructor Name

Total time

Total time in this aircraft:

Total time instructing:

Total time instructing in this aircraft (front/back):

Time in similar aircraft

(type/time):

EXAMPLE OF AN OPERATIONS REPRESENTATIVE VISIT REPORT

MEMORANDUM FOR CC

FROM: TPS/QE (Lt Col Doug Dodson)

SUBJECT: Trip Report the YAK 52 aircraft (N7092A)

1. On 1 May 04, I traveled with Mr. Joe Ramirez and Mr. Vic Clinger (412MX/MXQP) and Lt Col Stephen Martin (418 FLTS/ DOOC) to San Jose, CA to inspect a YAK 52, serial number N7092A, privately owned by Mr. John B. Fulton and Mr. Douglas A.

Cayne. Both owners were present during the inspection. The aircraft was flown in from

Palo Alto, CA for the inspection.

2. This aircraft was certified under FAA Order 8130.27 as an experimental, exhibition aircraft on 7 Apr 97. No STCs or FAA Fm 337 modifications were performed on this aircraft. No maintenance problems, trends, or accidents were uncovered for this type of aircraft. A full checkout sortie was accomplished to the aircraft limits (speed and -2 to 6 g), including inverted spins and all acrobatics, after the annual by the owner. The general condition of the aircraft was excellent, inside and out. No safety hazards were noted inside the cockpit. The seat chutes were current; there are no ejection seats. See attached checklist for specific aircraft information. The recommended limits are:

G limit: -1.8 to 5.4 g

Airspeed: 340 km/h

Max inverted: 1 minute

Prohibited Man: none

3. I inspected Mr. John Fulton’s logbook and pilot certificates (copies were made). He is a highly experienced civilian pilot with over 14,000 hours total time. He holds a CFI in single- and multi-engine instrument aircraft (land and sea), rotorcraft-gyroplane , and glider. He is also an ATP for single- and multi-engine aircraft (land and sea). His total time in the YAK 52 is 400 hours, 300 hours instructing. He has over 7,000 hours of total instructor time. He is current in the aircraft (flew today). Mr. Fulton has a sterling reputation among his peers and no problems or violations were cited with the FAA. He holds a current first class medical with the limitation of having to wear corrective lenses.

4. Overall, Mr. Fulton seems very competent and knowledgeable in regard to single-engine piston aircraft. The aircraft type and condition were excellent for use in the TPS

Qual-Eval program.

Douglas L. Dodson, Jr.