Mel Asberry
Mel Asberry is an experienced Designated Airworthiness Representative specializing in Experimental/Amateur-Built aircraft. He and his wife, Ann, have built seven amateur-built airplanes including two ultralight types, a Moni Motorglider, a Dragonfly Mk2, two RV-6s and a Zenair CH 601HDS. They are currently building a scratch-built biplane.
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Periodic inspections are a necessary part of homebuilt aircraft ownership. Mel Asberry explains which ones are needed and how they differ from the certificated aircraft variety.
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Major changes to your homebuilt aircraft require sign off by the FAA. Mel Asberry explains how to keep it legal.
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Ready to perform aerobatics with your new homebuilt? Not so fast! The operating limitations dictate what's required first.
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DAR Mel Asberry continues his discussion of aircraft operating limitations by explaining what those Phase II flight test rules mean.
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DAR Mel Asberry continues his discussion of aircraft operating limitations by looking at why we do what we do during those important Phase I tests.
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DAR Mel Asberry continues his discussion of operating limitations and Phase I flight-test requirements.
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We begin a short series that looks at the particulars of a homebuilt aircrafts operating limitations. Have you read yours?
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Can a homebuilt whose core is a certified airplane fuselage ever be seen as an Experimental?
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This month DAR Mel Asberry addresses what it takes to build to LSA requirements, why importing an ultralight from Canada can be problematic, and when ELTs are required.
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Can you use Function Code 33 to amend Experimental aircraft limitations and flight-test locations?
In Case You Missed It
The Dawn Patrol
When you're the newbie of the group, you're going to get the tough assignments. But some newbies know how to exact payback (all in good fun, of course).
Van’s RV-12
In typical fashion, Vans Aircraft refused to rest on its laurels after the RV-12s prototype debut last year, and sought to improve on an already good design. The new production airplane has changed (beyond its color), with a castering nosewheel, toe brakes instead of a grip, reshaped control sticks for better clearance, ground-adjustable seats fore and aft as well as in tilt, and the list goes on. Best of all, this day/VFR machine is still a delight to fly; by Ed Kolano.
Aero ‘lectrics
This month, we look at how an airspeed indicator works and rig up a simple calibration tool for it;
