Hi all:

 

I think I may have opened up a can of worms here pertaining to accompanying my test pilot on the

initial flight and I appreciated the input from a couple of you.  In my case, the opspecs written for

me did not have a sole occupant restriction during the initial test flight.  Further, I specifically did ask my

DAR if I could accompany my TP.  He essentially said there was nothing preventing me from doing so.

Hence the decision was made that I would accompany my TP on the first flight only as a 'required crewmember'.  

 

After being properly educated on the matter, the 'required crewmember' can no longer be interpreted

as a gray area per FAA Order 8130.2F dated Jan 2005.  Unless your building a monster that requires

more than crewmember the bottom line is: one sole occupant (pilot) during phase 1 (25 or 40 hours). 

 

Since I fly professionally as well, I did not want to set a bad example or to mislead anyone who may have been thinking of doing the same.  Now, back to the fun stuff...like flying this thing.

 

Dan   N178DM   

----- Original Message -----

 

Initial test flight conducted by Orin Riddell (yes he still does test flights on occasion and worth every penny), with myself onboard as safety observer. 

 

Dan "Luke" Lukschander