Sport Twin II Waiting For FAA Inspection

[Dana]

§ 61.31 Type rating requirements, additional training, and authorization requirements.

(c) Aircraft category, class, and type ratings: Limitations on the carriage of persons, or operating for compensation or hire. Unless a person holds a category, class, and type rating (if a class and type rating is required) that applies to the aircraft, that person may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft that is carrying another person...

(l) Exceptions. (1) This section does not require a category and class rating for aircraft not type-certificated as airplanes, rotorcraft, gliders, lighter-than-air aircraft, powered-lifts, powered parachutes, or weight-shift-control aircraft.

(2) The rating limitations of this section do not apply to—

(iii) The holder of a pilot certificate when operating an aircraft under the authority of—

(B) An experimental certificate, unless the operation involves carrying a passenger...

What I don't see there is the requirement for at least a Private (as opposed to Sport or Recreational), which I'd always understood to be the case (perhaps it's simply that this regulation predates the Rec and SP rules?). It also appears from 61.35(c) that it doesn't even have to be an experimental if you're not carrying a passenger, though that would seem to make 61.35(l)(2)(iii)(B) redundant.

There is also the requirement for the experimental aircraft's operating limitations not having explicit language about requiring an appropriately rated pilot... presumably the limitations could say "this aircraft must be operated by a pilot with such and such a rating".

Probably worth getting clarification / confirmation from your local FSDO, though...

[Bill Berson]

Dana, I am sure you meant 61.31 (not 61.35)

This section seems to require an instructors endorsement for any Pilot In Command (includes solo) without a rating:
ref.61.31 (d)
(d) Aircraft category, class, and type ratings: Limitations on operating an aircraft as the pilot in command. To serve as the pilot in command of an aircraft, a person must—
(1) Hold the appropriate category, class, and type rating (if a class or type rating is required) for the aircraft to be flown; or
(2) Have received training required by this part that is appropriate to the pilot certification level, aircraft category, class, and type rating (if a class or type rating is required) for the aircraft to be flown, and have received an endorsement for solo flight in that aircraft from an authorized instructor.

But then 61.31 (l) seems to exempt experimentals from this endorsement rule (when solo).

[Dana]

61.31, yes. It's weird, the two sections seem to be contradictory, but as far as experimentals, it seems clear enough in the "exceptions" part.

[ercouper]

Dana, Thanks for the info I will pass this by my local FSDO. After all this work I really want to see what this plane will do.

[Buzz]

Isn't there a special endorsement for a "centerline thrust" that may not be a twin rating? [Although that probably requires a PPL, which I think the thread indicated you are not pursuing].

It's the endorsement that Cessna 337 pilots use. It's a different endorsement because there is no adverse yaw to deal with when loosing a centerline thrust engine.

-Buzz

[steveinindy]

Isn't there a special endorsement for a "centerline thrust" that may not be a twin rating? [Although that probably requires a PPL, which I think the thread indicated you are not pursuing].

It's the endorsement that Cessna 337 pilots use. It's a different endorsement because there is no adverse yaw to deal with when loosing a centerline thrust engine.

-Buzz

It's a twin engine rating with a limitation to centerline thrust only if you obtain the rating in an aircraft configured like the Cessna 337. It's not a separate endorsement but rather just one with an operating limitation.

[martymayes]

It's a twin engine rating with a limitation to centerline thrust only if you obtain the rating in an aircraft configured like the Cessna 337. It's not a separate endorsement but rather just one with an operating limitation.

A number of tactical military jet aircraft qualify as centerline thrust and those pilots get stuck with that limitation on civilian certificates. Interesting work for a CFI when getting that limitation removed in a light twin.

[FlyingRon]

By the way, it's merely a "multiengine sea" class rating. It's not a separate multiengine and multiengine sea as originally stated.

[steveinindy]

A number of tactical military jet aircraft qualify as centerline thrust and those pilots get stuck with that limitation on civilian certificates. Interesting work for a CFI when getting that limitation removed in a light twin.

Interesting....I never would have thought about that.

[jedi]

Ercouper,

You and your plane are a great asset. I would like to work with you to get your multi-sea rating and keep you as legal as possible. I wish we could have spoken before your inspection but better late than never. What is your current pilot certificate? I am a CFI with most everything except Airplane Multi Engine Sea and would like to work with you to get my AMES rating and whatever you may need for your purposes. Comments about not needing the sea rating are correct provided, 1) You have a Private Pilot certificate, and 2) Your conditions and limitations do not override the FARs by being more restrictive which is a common problem in the last several years. Get me a phone number and we will talk.