Todd “I drink and know things” Stovall
PP ASEL - IA
RV-10 N728TT - Flying
EAA Lifetime Member
WAR DAMN EAGLE!
The FAA database designates both engine make and model with a field that runs from 0 to 99999 (0 is none, and 99999 is the code for AMA/EXP). The 100,000 spaces are nowhere near fully occupied.
There might be a desire by some FAA types to not use up slots in the table with non-production-type engines. But there are a lot of production engines included as well.
I suspect it's a combination of laziness by the FAA/DARs and builders' desire to avoid AD traceability. If they issue an AD for a Continental O-200 and yours is officially "AMA/EXP", the FAA doesn't know it applies to you.
Ron Wanttaja
Well I can only speak for myself but my 8130 identified my motor as a Barrett Precision Engine IO-540-X and my AWC inspection was performed by a FSDO inspector who looked at it closely so nothing was hidden from him-- got a 40 hr Phase1 to prove it.
i can only assume Ron is on the right track with his answer.
Todd “I drink and know things” Stovall
PP ASEL - IA
RV-10 N728TT - Flying
EAA Lifetime Member
WAR DAMN EAGLE!
In the FAA's defense, we don't know how clunky their software is. This is an organization that still has forms with Ye Olde black carbon paper between sheets (!), and I can imagine the data entry stuff could well be the same one from 15 years ago in a DOS box.
Misplace the binder that has the ancient sheet of engine codes in it and "EXP OTHER" will do in a pinch.
Frank "Data Entry Monkey" Giger
The opinions and statements of this poster are largely based on facts and portray a possible version of the actual events.
Hi Ron and Frank,
Forgive me as I try to understand the dataset. As a very rough reliability factor, would you divide the "In compare AMA set" column by the "Registry" column?
If only there was a way to dive just a little deeper. I know some people in the VW community are adamant against shrink fit prop hubs. Comparing the reliability of the Aerovee to the GP might be a rough way of seeing if those fears are founded.
No, the "In AMA Compare Set" column in the number of aircraft registered with "Ama/EXP" engines I was able to determine had a particular engine type. Nominally, one would divide the number of accidents involving that engine type by the "Total" column. The problem is, I don't really like doing that when the fleet size is partially based on an estimate. I do it in categories (e.g., Certified engines vs. auto engines, etc.) but hate to point fingers at any particular engine based on deriving the fleet size.
Ultimately, that would be my goal, but specifics about the engine are not always provided. If the NTSB says "VW", there are a lot of possible sub-types.
Ron Wanttaja