What's required for discovery flights in E/AB LSA?

[MonkeyClaw]

What would be required to give discovery flights in an E-AB LSA owned by the pilot? From the aircraft perspective, I think a LODA is required? Is insurance a concern? Anything else?

What about for the pilot? Can I get my CFIS and do it?

The idea would be to offer introductory or discovery flights in the area for pay. It's a 2-person aircraft, so there would be no passengers.

 

[tsts4]

What would be required to give discovery flights in an E-AB LSA owned by the pilot? From the aircraft perspective, I think a LODA is required? Is insurance a concern? Anything else?

What about for the pilot? Can I get my CFIS and do it?

The idea would be to offer introductory or discovery flights in the area for pay. It's a 2-person aircraft, so there would be no passengers.

You can give rides all day long, you just can't charge for it or have them log it as instruction. A LODA for an E-AB owner is strictly for the owner to receive training in their own E-AB aircraft. For CFI's that provide transition training in their E-AB, the LODA only covers the transition training -- no primary training allowed (for example when I went for my RV-10 transition training the CFI I went to couldn't even give me a HP endorsement. I had to get that in a separate rented aircraft). 91.319 and your OPLIMs spell all of this out.

 

[Vance Breese]

Your operating limitations for your experimental amateur built (EAB) aircraft likely prohibit you from generating revenue with it. They are not all the same so there may be some value in reading them as you are supposed to limit your aircraft operations with them as your reference.

A letter of deviation authority (LODA) allows you to deviate from specific limitations contained in your operating limitations.

For example I have a LODA that allows me as a CFI to charge for giving instruction in my EAB aircraft and requires hundred hour inspections. I am allowed to charge and give all levels of instruction in my aircraft.

It is my observation that not all LODAs are the same so I feel there is value in understanding the requirements and limitations of a specific LODA.

For example my LODA specifically prohibits giving introductory flights.

Your pilot certificate also has limitations in regards to generating revenue and I feel there is value in understanding them.

 

[tsts4]

.....and give all levels of instruction in my aircraft.

I find that interesting and good to know. I wonder if there was a change in CFI LODAs since I got my transition training around 10 years ago or something else as to why you can give full spectrum instruction but my CFI couldn't in his E-AB. Being that's the case, if the OP was a CFI then I'm thinking insurance would be be the next potential hurdle.

 

[Vance Breese]

I find that interesting and good to know. I wonder if there was a change in CFI LODAs since I got my transition training around 10 years ago or something else as to why you can give full spectrum instruction but my CFI couldn't in his E-AB. Being that's the case, if the OP was a CFI then I'm thinking insurance would be be the next potential hurdle.

The fist LODA they sent me in 2016 did not allow me to give primary instruction. After extensive negations with my FSDO; I received a new LODA that allowed me to give primary instruction in my EAB aircraft although “discovery flights” were prohibited.

I have some friends who have a LODA for similar EAB aircraft that are allowed to give discovery flights.

I not able to get “discovery flight” defined by the FSDO.

The way it has been explained by representatives of my local FSDO; for a first time flyer I have to give a lesson with my regular syllabus rather than a “Discovery Flight”.

Not all LODAs are the same.

 

[MonkeyClaw]

Interesting, thanks! I didn't realize that a discovery flight would be any different from primary instruction, or that the LODA would spell out the exact type I could do.

As to licensing, I would think a CFIS would allow this as an instructional flight. I'm not even sure how you get a commercial license for Gyroplane unless you get it for airplane and do and add-on?

 

[Vance Breese]

I often don’t understand the thought process of the FAA.

My only certificates are Commercial Pilot, Rotorcraft-Gyroplane and Flight Instructor, Rotorcraft-Gyroplane .

In order to teach someone to be a Private Pilot, Rotorcraft Gyroplane or higher I need to have a Commercial Pilot, Rotorcraft-Gyroplane certificate.

The Commercial Pilot, Rotorcraft-Gyroplane certificate is not good for much else.

 

[pfarber]

Every FSDO is different and will apply thier own interpretation of the rules unless told otherwise by OK.

You can ask for almost anything in your LODA as long as the FSDO buys into your reasons.

There is absolutely nothing special about a 'discovery flight'. Its simply a flight.

Don't make it complicated.