Tech Manual updates

[kasper]

OK First the arse covering - This is NOT an RAA bashing for bashings sake

 

However, the tech manual update proposed by RAA and apparently cleared by CASA is complete sh*t operationally and it is impacting me big time now.

 

My situation - I have a 95.10 weightshift that is awaiting final regn but is in limbo because:

 

1. I have paid my regn reservation fee to get allocated numbers (paid before the ops manual update)

 

2. that fee has a 90 day life to go against my first regn fee before I have to pay full fee again (90 days is up before Christmas)

 

3. LAST things to do are regn numbers, photo and weighing

 

Now the problem:

 

The aircraft has not got a fuselage as such and has no tail - its a flying wing with a trike underneath.

 

Old requirements Ops Man 4.09 required BOTH under wing and fuselage

 

Problem 1 - basic compliance with requirements:

 

- under wing 50cm height 4 numbers - no leading 10- required - I could comply

 

- on fuselage BETWEEN wing and tail - NOT POSSIBLE on weightshift to comply

 

Problem 2 - size of numbers and placement:

 

- on fuselage height 15cm ... with spaces and required edge margin 15cm numbers requires minimum 47.5cm

 

- as large as practical if not fitting - I have 25cm of fuel tank to put numbers on at best ... numbers can only be around 8cm high ... basically I could get the electrical tape out and put numbers on IF the fuel tank was between the wing and the tail.

 

Then the Ops Manual changes and the requirements disappeared - both problems raised with Tech office and was told don't worry, new tech manual addressing this imminent ... I was even told about the removal of the underwing but raised with Darren the fuselage location issue for non-fuselaged aircraft ... response - don't worry.

 

Well here comes the new Tech manual on aircraft markings and its got even more problems that the ops manual it replaces:

 

1. ops manual 6 discretionary operation per the FAQs is 60 days from 11 November ... so the new ops manual ONLY applies from 10 Jan 15 ... so no option for using old 4.09 after then but

 

2. new tech manual 9.1 ONLY becomes opertational on issue of new tech manual - per the announcement that will be the middle of 2015

 

so for 5+ months no requirements for marking aircraft at all

 

3. new tech 9.1 expicitly only allows for weightshift markings on the trike frame (not between wing/tail) if its 95.32 regn - 95.10 trike have NO underwing marks and CANNOT comply with fuselage so ABSOLUTELY NO MARKING POSSIBLE UNDER THE NEW TECH MANUAL.

 

So here I am, MUST mark, photo, weigh and lodge regn before Christmas or lose the value of the regn number reservation fee but the best I can do is underwing and if I put it photos for regn without the 'fuselage' numbers what happens?

 

Then if I give up the reservation fee and wait till after 10 Jan I should be able to reg without ANY marks ...

 

This is a MESS.

 

Now its time to chat to Darren B again

 

Oh and the new requiremetns under the tech 9.1 for 95.10 with a tail group require the leading 10- to appear for the first time and this makes the vertical length minimum increase to 74.5cm at 15cm AND they removed the 'as large as practical' option for thin fusealge so they have to be 15cm high, no questions no alternates.