Documents and Airworthiness

Documents and airworthiness

• The AROWJIL documents:
  • Airworthiness Certificate
  • Registration Certificate
  • Operating Handbook
  • Weight & Balance
  • Journey Log
  • Insurance
  • Licenses

Certificate of Airworthiness

• Contains the serial number, registration, and the minister's signature.
• Required to correct an unsafe condition of a product.

Airworthiness Directive

• Gives conditions under which aeronautical products may continue to be operated.
• Developed when a product is unsafe from a deficiency in design.
• An example is the propeller, which has an airworthiness directive.
• The certificate of airworthiness (C of A) is valid indefinitely if the aircraft continues to meet airworthiness conditions under which it was issued.
• Amateur-built aircraft are not issued a C of A but will be issued a flight permit.
• An airworthiness information report is needed every year.
• The C of A is invalidated by not complying with an airworthiness directive, failure to meet required maintenance inspections, any action that contradicts the POH, any minor or major incident, or defects.

Certificate of Registration

• Indicates nationality, registration, manufacturer, model and serial #, purpose, name and address of the owner, owner registration date, issue date, and signature of the minister.
• States the purpose as state aircraft, commercial aircraft, or private aircraft.
• Remains valid if the ownership and the owner's address do not change.
• The owner must notify Transport Canada within 7 days if there is a change of address.
• Becomes invalid when the aircraft is destroyed or permanently taken out of service, or if the aircraft is no longer living.
• The carbon copy paper must be filled out, and the white copy must be mailed to the minister within 7 days.
• The pink copy, known as a "pink slip," stays with the aircraft and is valid for 90 days or until the new C of R is administered.
• The Zlin has two separate copies.
• The sheet containing information about the sale and the new owner goes to Transport Canada.
• The other copy goes to the new owner and is valid for 90 days

Pilot Operating Handbook

• Contains all pertinent information for the make and model of the aircraft.
• Allows for research of any information that might be needed in flight; general, normal procedures, emergency procedures, performance, weight and balance, and aircraft systems.
• Has an equipment list noting all equipment available for a particular model of aircraft and specifies whether each item of equipment is required for the flight or not.
• Important to have for ground and in-flight reference to safely and properly operate the aircraft in the limits it was made for.
• W&B information in the POH is a generic example for that particular make and model.
• The W&B report is for the specific aircraft and may be changed.

Weight & Balance

• Specific W&B only changes if there is a 2% change in aircraft weight or arm changes.
• The differences between normal and utility categories:

Normal Category

• Can carry baggage (max 44 pounds).
• More weight allowed to 2400 lbs.
• Auxiliary fuel allowed L 235 lbs.
• No spins.
• G tolerance +3.8 & -1.5

Utility Category

• No baggage.
• Less weight allowed TO AL 2250 lbs.
• No auxiliary fuel allowed.
• Spins allowed.
• G tolerance +5 & -3
• Information about the categories for which the aircraft is approved as well as any related limitations can be found in the POH.

Center of Gravity

• Differences in aircraft performance:

Forward Center of Gravity

• Lower TAS.
• Poor performance.
• Higher stall speed.
• More longitudinal stability.
• Good stall characteristics.
• Slower true airspeed because of a higher angle of attack and increased drag.
• Poor performance due to the extra back pressure on the stick.
• Good stall characteristics due to the nose-down tendency.
• More longitudinal stability, like using a longer wrench for more force.
• Higher stall speed because of the higher angle of attack closer to the critical angle of attack.

Rearward Center of Gravity

• Higher TAS.
• Lower stall speed.
• Better performance.
• Less longitudinal stability.
• Poor stall characteristics.
• Better performance, as not as much back pressure is needed.
• Faster true airspeed due to the plane not needing a high angle of attack and less drag.
• Poor longitudinal stability, not wanting a short levered wrench because needing way more force.
• Bad stall characteristics, tends to be flat. Lower stall speed because of the lower angle of attack closer to the critical angle.

Basic Empty Weight

• Includes:
  • Airframe.
  • Engine.
  • Aircraft equipment.
  • Full oil
  • Unusable fuel

Zero Fuel Weight

• Includes:
  • Basic empty weight.
  • Pilot & passenger weights (max 250 pounds per seat).
  • Baggage (max 44 pounds).
• Useful load:
  • The difference between basic empty weight and the takeoff weight.
  • The combined weight of the pilots, passengers, baggage, and fuel.
  • Referred to as the “removable load."
• Payload:
  • Weight of the passengers and baggage.
  • Useful load minus the fuel.
• The Zlin's max baggage weight is 44 pounds, per POH Chapter 1 1-11.
• Baggage is permitted in normal category only.
• 44 pounds is not a limitation, given you are within the C of G limits.
• Maximum certified take-off weight:
  • Max weight approved for the start of the takeoff run.
  • Includes the zero-fuel weight plus the fuel weight.
• MCTOW versus max ramp weight:
  • Max ramp weight contains fuel that will be used for starting up, taxiing, and the run up with a higher maximum than certified takeoff weight.
• The W&B document is prepared by the manufacturer.
• Show the actual BEW and gross weight for the test aircraft in the W&B report for inspection and ensure it is the latest amendment.
• Overloaded aircraft are exceeding the weight limitations stated in the POH, any action that contradicts the POH is a violation of airworthiness certificate.
• Aircraft must be re-weighed if a weight change of more than 2% of basic empty weight has occurred, or if the weight change cannot be measured, requiring an amended weight and balance report produced.
• Original W&B report contains:
  • Date of manufacture of aircraft.
  • Actual unusable fuel amounts.
  • The amount of full oil.
• Standard weights for passengers can be found in the Transport Canada AIM in the RAC section.
• Weights of fuel and oil under various temperature conditions can be found in the TC AIM RAC.

Zlin MCTOW and max landing weights

• Normal is 2400 takeoff and 2315 landing.
• Utility is 2250 takeoff and landing.
• Aerobatic is 2140 takeoff and landing.
• The datum line is,the reference point for all the weight and balance arm, measured aft of this point.
• In the Zlin the reference datum is equal to the firewall rear side.
• An arm is the distance in inches from the reference datum to the center of gravity.
• Moment arm Weight = Arm
• Calculated by: Weight (pounds) x Arm (inches) = Moment Arm (pound inches).

Center of Gravity

• The position of the resultant of all mass forces and theoretical balance point.
• The position is expressed as a percentage of Mean Aerodynamic Chord length.
• The MAC is the chord of an imaginary rectangular wing with equal area and the same aerodynamic parameters as the real wing.
• It is expressed as a percentage of the wing's chord, with the leading edge at 0% and the trailing edge at 100%.
• Center of gravity can be calculated with (total Moment Arm)/(Total Weight).
• Zlin center of gravity range:
  • Normal is 21-26 inches.
  • Utility is 20-24.5 inches.
  • Aerobatic is 19-24.5 inches.
• Variable load is the individual loading weights which vary for each flight.
• It includes the aircraft's crew, fuel, and baggage.
• If the aircraft is too heavy, and the C of G is aft of limits:
  • Fix by taking out non-required baggage, equipment, moving the seat forward and taking less fuel.
  • When doing so, the C of G will move forward.

The Journey Log

• The journey log provides:
  • Airtime remaining till next maintenance.
  • Current defects.
  • Deferred defects, what restrictions apply.
  • Maintenance release from last maintenance event, and AME SIGNATURE.
• The journey log must be carried on board each flight if the aircraft's engine will be shut down at an alternate aerodrome other than the departure aerodrome.
• Air time is the wheels up to wheels down time.
• Flight time is the engine start to engine stop time (PIC TIME).
• Inspections are based on AIR TIME (wheels up to wheels down).
• The maintenance inspection schedule is aircraft specific, refer to journey log or AME, most are 100 hours.
• ZLIN: 50 hours, 100 hours, 500 hours, 2000 hours.
• The tolerance of 50 hour and 100 hour inspections can be done plus or minus 10 hours of the time.
• 500 hour inspections can be done plus or minus 20 hours of the scheduled time.
• 2000 hour inspections can be done plus or minus 50 hours of the scheduled time.
• Permission and signoff from the AME is required if going over the scheduled maintenance times.
• Calendar driven maintenance tasks:
  • Ask for the Maintenance Schedule.
  • Check front page of journey log for carried over inspections
  • ELT: 12 months.
  • Magnetic compass swing: 12 months.
  • Pitot-Static: 2 years if operating IFR or VFR in class B.
  • Fire extinguisher annual inspection.
  • First aid kit annual inspection.
  • ELT recertification completed.
  • ELT battery next due.
  • Turn and Bank emergency batteries check.
  • Transponder performance test completed.
  • Altimeter calibration + correlation completed.
  • Encoder test + correlation completed.
  • Compass calibration completed.
• Refer to the journey log, remembering to look at airtime for when the next inspection is due.
• Alternatively, go to Talon, look under reports, ETA core reports, aircraft status tach events, pdf file, and look at each plane to reference the time till next maintenance figure.
• Journey log should be primary source for determining when the next maintenance inspection is due.
• May fly the aircraft beyond 50 hours (when inspection is due) to a maximum of 10 hours ONLY if the AME has given signature in the journey log of the extension.

Annual Inspection

• The aircraft contains an entry in the journey log.
• An annual airworthiness information report will be completed.
• A snag reported in the remarks section of the journey log prevents flight unless it is checked and signed off by an AME.
• Snag and defect are the same thing, it depends if the defect is deferrable or not. If you correct an error in the journey log per CAR 605.93, strike out the incorrect entry so that it is legible, and insert the correct entry with the date and the reason if necessary.
• You are not allowed to use white out.
• Record a defect:
  • Talon -> links -> sault college manuals -> MPCM
  • Students cannot record a defect unless under flight instructor supervision.
  • If flight operation or maintenance personnel are unclear as to whether a defect can or cannot be deferred will consult the Aircraft Flight Manual, Type Certificate Data Sheet and the CAR's applicable requirements for the intended flight before deciding.
• Record a defect outside Sault College by writing the date, airtime, landings, the airport, and the defect; and needing an AME signoff to defer.
• An abnormal occurence is a CARs Abnormal occurence.
• The compass must be swung annually, verified in the journey log. -Aircraft requires an ELT: When travelling more than 25 nautical miles from the departure aerodrome, the ELT must be certified annually by an avionics shop. ELT must be certified annually and an entry is required in the journey log.
• An ELT battery is good for two years from the date of manufacture, per CAR 605.40.
• Testing can be done for no more than 5 seconds during the first 5 minutes of any hour UTC that transmits on 121.5 MHz frequency or an ELT that transmits on both the 406 MHz and the 121.5 MHz frequencies.
• Check that there is enough time left on the aircraft to complete the flight, working out something with the AME if the flight is planned to go over the scheduled maintenance time.
• A functioning cylinder head temperature (CHT) gauge is part of the required equipment, per the KOEL and MEL.
• Reference the KOEL and the MEL, the CHT is part of the required equipment.
• Follow defect procedures in the MPCM.
• Follow the CARs. Landing gear position indicator is an example.
• Pitot static system must be inspected every two years if aircraft flies in class B airspace.
• Reference the journey log for the last inspection time.
• A journey log must be kept for no less than one year per CAR 605.93 (3).
• Demonstrate aircraft is airworthy by checking the time remaining on the aircraft and ensure maintenance has been completed, a compass swing has been done within a year, ELT certification has been done within a year, a pitot static system has been certified within two years, and checks for no defects.

The Technical Logbook Sections

• Airframe Log
• Propellor (1)
• Engine Log (1)
• Aircraft modifications and airworthiness directive log
• Must be kept until the aircraft is no longer registered.

Insurance

• Every flight needs insurance, valid until renewal needed, typically renewed every year on April 1st for Zlin at $575,000 per person (if deceased).
• The insurance states where a pilot can fly, varying by the aircraft.

Licenses

• A pilot's license is viable through a medical . Requirements for keeping a cat 1 and cat 3 medical valid:
• PPL pilots can have either category 1 or category 3
• CPL pilots need a category 1 medical
• Category 1 medicals, validity period are determined by age, and the medical is valid until the first day of the next month after examination.
• TC AIM section 1.12 for recency requirements to fly:

5 Year Recency Requirements

• Flown as PIC or co-pilot.
• Completed flight review with an instructor.
• Successful PSTAR.
• 2 Year Recency:
  • Completed recurrent training program.
  • Complete a flight review with an instructor, attend a Transport Canada aviation safety seminar, participate in a Transport Canada-approved recurrent training program, complete a self-paced study program updated each year, complete a training program or pilot proficiency check, complete the requirements for the issue or renewal of a license, permit or rating, or pass the written exam for a license, permit or rating.
• 6 Month Recency:
  • Required for carrying passengers which includes completing a category and class of aircraft. Pilots who want to carry day passengers can complete at least 5 takeoffs and 5 day or night landings If a Pilot who wishes to carry passengers needs to complete 5 night landings and 5 takeoffs

Aircraft Characteristics

• Engine:
  • Flat/boxer, four stroke, four-cylinder engine that is air-cooled and fuel injected.
  • ABO-360 from Textron Lycoming, it means an aerobatic engine that is fuel injected and horizontally opposed, and is 360 cubic inches in size (5.92L displacement), with a compression ratio of 8.7:1.
• When 100% power is developed, the engine will produce