Registering your aircraft as an Amateur-Built in Canada or USA

*** COMING SOON ***

CA-HAWK and CA_FALCON A-B kits allow an amateur builder to meet the major portion requirement (51% rule) in Canada and the USA. Builders can use the FAA checklist to help them determine exactly how much commercial / professional builder assistance may be used without violating the “major portion” requirement.

Canada A-B

The following steps and inspections are required prior to the first flight of your self-built aircraft. For a complete list of the steps necessary to register your kit-built please refer to the Transport Canada information at this site:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/standards/general-ccarcs-amateur-408.htm

and on the MD-RA site at:

 http://www.md-ra.com/docs/C05E.pdf

The following information (excerpt) is provided by EAA/RAA to help homebuilders prepare for the final inspection of their project - just before the first flight:

You will need the following documents ready and available for your " Minister’s Delegate – Recreational Aviation" (MD-RA) Inspector on the day he arrives for your final inspection:

• Three copies of Form 24-0079, Initial Application for a Special Certificate of Airworthiness for Amateur-Built Aircraft. This form usually causes most of the concerns since it requires some simple mathematical calculations. For more information on how to complete this form, please read this page from the EAA archives.
• Equipment list: The intent here is to list those items that are installed on the aircraft, but that may be changed at some time during the life of the aircraft. Such items might include instruments, radios, Emergency Locator Transmitters etc. This information would be important for any rework of weight and balance calculations.
• Photocopies of:
  • Permanent data plate with name of builder, model, and serial number of the aircraft. No other data is necessary nor desired on this data plate.
  • Certificate of registration. (The inspector isn’t allowed to carry out the inspection if the certificate hasn’t been obtained.)
  • Logbook entries: Amateur-built aircraft are required to carry a journey log. Technical logs aren’t required if all appropriate entries are made in the journey log. Note that the following entries must be entered in the exact wording as shown below:
    • I certify that the magnetic compass was calibrated. Signature and date.
    • This aircraft will be maintained in compliance with Canadian Air Regulation 625, Appendices B & C. Signature and date.
    • I certify that this aircraft complies with all the requirements of Appendix A of the exemption from Section 549.01 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations and Chapter 549 of the Airworthiness Manual, and is safe for flight. Signature and date.
    • Note: In the case of an imported aircraft, a fourth logbook entry is required; the logbook must show that the aircraft has received its annual inspection and has been found safe for flight. This inspection and sign-out must have been performed after the aircraft was imported and prior to the import inspection date.
• Weight and balance report: This should show the “normal”, “most forward”, “most aft”, and “gross weight” centre of gravity (CG) locations. Needless to say, all CG locations must lie within the manufacturer’s specified range. The calculations should be made with the equipment in place and should reflect the baggage compartment weight limitations.
• Fuel flow report: This report should show the actual test results of the fuel flow test. It should show the actual fuel flow from each tank independently and should also show the calculated fuel flow requirement for the specific power plant. (Note: Calculate your required fuel flow requirement as follows: Fuel flow rate (in pounds/hour) = 1.25 x 0.50 x hp (for a low-wing aircraft with an auxiliary fuel pump) or 1.50 x 0.50 x hp (for a high-wing aircraft with a gravity flow system).
  
  For example, a low-wing aircraft with a 160-hp engine will require a fuel flow rate to the engine of: 160 x 0.5 x 1.25 = 100 pounds/hour. So if your measured fuel flow through your system is 10.95 pounds collected in 4 minutes and 20 seconds, your actual rate of flow would be: 10.95 x 60/4.33 = 151.7 pounds/hour, obviously well above the 100 pounds/hour requirement.

Source: EAA Bits and Pieces

USA A-B

For a complete list of the steps necessary to register your kit-built please refer to the FAA information at this site:

http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/aircraft_certification/aircraft_registry/amateur_built_aircraft/

To register a new amateur-built aircraft in the USA, you need the following items:

• A completed Affidavit of Ownership for Experimental Aircraft, AC Form 8050-88 (PDF). This form establishes ownership and the formal description of the aircraft. The model name and serial number you give on this form together with the builders name will form the official aircraft description.
• An Aircraft Registration Application, AC Form 8050-1. The description for the aircraft you provide on the application must be the same as the description you provide on the affidavit. The name of the applicant must match the name of the owner given on the affidavit. If your mailing address is a post office box, you must also include your street address. When the applicant or applicants sign this form they must also print or type their name below their signature, and show their title if applicable.
• The $5 registration fee payable to the Federal Aviation Administration.
• Kit bill of sale from the kit manufacturer. A regular Aircraft Bill of Sale, AC Form 8050-2 (PDF) is acceptable if the word 'Aircraft' has been marked through and the word 'Kit' entered.