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MTOW down to 450kg - why?


louise skidmore

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Bought a P92S/Echo in 2002 - MTOW 544kg. When it arrived, Bruce Stark was unable to get it registered with RAA due to the weight restriction which was then 450kg by default. Having sold us an aircraft with a 544kg MTOW, he very kindly had it registered VH-experimental, so I could fly it and actually take a passenger and do a decent flight. Not long after the appropriate documentation was supplied by Tecnam to RAA. We changed the rego to RAA with no problems.

 

I've renewed this rego every year since, until now, I'm told by RAA that they don't have an appropriate certificate for 544kg. I know another pilot with a Tecnam Sierra with the same problem.

 

With a 450kg MTOW I can only get less than an hour's fuel and a passenger!

 

Does anyone have any idea what's happening here.

 

 

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Interesting, the Tecnam Golf I hire has currently a MTOW of 544 kg I flew it only a few days ago (Tuesday) and it is still has the MTOW sticker saying 544. So I wonder when its rego becomes due, does it revert to 450 kg ?.

 

 

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Interesting, the Tecnam Golf I hire has currently a MTOW of 544 kg I flew it only a few days ago (Tuesday) and it is still has the MTOW sticker saying 544. So I wonder when its rego becomes due, does it revert to 450 kg ?.

On renewal I had the same problem I have a pretty hefty mate so have told him he has to lose weight because if I take him I can't take fuel :)

 

 

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It sounds like amature hour at RAA again. These aircraft will become nearly useless at 450 kg MTOW. They have been flying around for years and thousands of hours at or near the 544 kg weight. What a circus

 

 

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High two hundreds from memory. Post script - i just checked it out , P 96 Golf have a empty weight of 280 to 285 kilos give or take.

I have a Golf with MTOW of 544 just had it registered. I do have a type certificate stating 544.

 

 

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Bought a P92S/Echo in 2002 - MTOW 544kg. When it arrived, Bruce Stark was unable to get it registered with RAA due to the weight restriction which was then 450kg by default. Having sold us an aircraft with a 544kg MTOW, he very kindly had it registered VH-experimental, so I could fly it and actually take a passenger and do a decent flight. Not long after the appropriate documentation was supplied by Tecnam to RAA. We changed the rego to RAA with no problems. I've renewed this rego every year since, until now, I'm told by RAA that they don't have an appropriate certificate for 544kg. I know another pilot with a Tecnam Sierra with the same problem.

With a 450kg MTOW I can only get less than an hour's fuel and a passenger!

 

Does anyone have any idea what's happening here.

If RAA don't have an appropriate certificate it must be amongst the numerous "RAA Lost Files". They themselves (AUF) have issued an Acceptance Certificate for the P92 Super Echo at 544 kg. Here is a copy attached.

 

P92_EchoSuper.pdf

 

P92_EchoSuper.pdf

 

P92_EchoSuper.pdf

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If RAA don't have an appropriate certificate it must be amongst the numerous "RAA Lost Files". They themselves (AUF) have issued an Acceptance Certificate for the P92 Super Echo at 544 kg. Here is a copy attached.

Yes. That would be the acceptance certificate Bruce provided to RAA just after he registered my Echo GA. I'm trying to understand what's wrong with it.

 

 

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Yes. That would be the acceptance certificate Bruce provided to RAA just after he registered my Echo GA. I'm trying to understand what's wrong with it.

What weight is it registered under overseas?

 

 

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Thanks tornado just checked it 550 kg it seems when they come to Australia their not as strong maybe sent deck cargo On a submarine resulting in weakened wing spars from corrosion!

 

 

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Thanks tornado just checked it 550 kg it seems when they come to Australia their not as strong maybe sent deck cargo On a submarine resulting in weakened wing spars from corrosion!

Yes that's right 550kg and restricted to 544kg in Aus

 

 

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Yes. That would be the acceptance certificate Bruce provided to RAA just after he registered my Echo GA. I'm trying to understand what's wrong with it.

Not exactly Louise. That is the Acceptance Certificate issued by the AUF now the RAA Technical Manager at the time as a result of the information supplied by Bruce. It signifies the acceptance by RAA of the aircraft in Australia at a MTOW of 544 kg.

 

 

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Not exactly Louise. That is the Acceptance Certificate issued by the AUF now the RAA Technical Manager at the time as a result of the information supplied by Bruce. It signifies the acceptance by RAA of the aircraft in Australia at a MTOW of 544 kg.

Of course, you're right - I got that back to front!

 

 

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Well let us hope this gets sorted as I now I am currently 544kg but after March 28 I am back to 450kg or no renewal, well out I go to stick on a 450kg placard and while I am at it I may as well take some more photos of under wing , tail ect as I am sure even though they have them from last year I will be asked for something.

 

Oh dear what a difference a few kilos makes.

 

Alf

 

 

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I was going to post on this yesterday but didn't want to spoil anyone's weekend.

 

A CASA chappie mentioned the likely MTOW reductions for a number of aircraft at our club breakfast in the morning. Apparently CASA has decided to stick rigidly to manufacturers specifications from now on. This affects GA and RA.

 

No more schedule 5's and SIDS will likely go right across the field as the Cessna decisions start to flow on to the rest of the manufacturers.

 

For RA, it means that a lot of aircraft were somehow registered to carry higher MTOWs than the makers spec says they should. The specs will prevail and those the have to come down will, I am told.

 

The only thing that might fix it is if the manufacturer is convinced to do the work to certify to a higher MTOW.

 

I see mega bucks in my lawyer's crystal ball because it seems some importers may have been complicit in the original deception. Error.

 

Jab owners can relax. Their aircraft are certified for their registered MTOW. Haven't chased up the rest but our club's Tecnam Echo is not looking good right now.

 

Kaz

 

 

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