Last update: 30 Jul 05
The EAA Flight Advisor Program grew out of a need to address the alarming number of accidents that happened during the first flights of aircraft and during the early phases of the 'restricted period' while still flight testing. Insurance company statistics indicate that about 25% of all home built accidents happen in the first few flights (first ten hours). But the problem isn't isolated or limited to homebuilts. The first flight in any aircraft is a test flight. The probability of a problem occurring increases for pilots who do not have and do not get the experience necessary to fly the aircraft in question. In many of these accidents / incidents, the cause is listed as 'pilot error'; and rightly so, the simple fact is the pilot was in over his or her head. He or she was neither qualified for nor proficient enough to fly the ill-fated aircraft.
The objective of the Flight Advisor program is to increase safety during the early phases of flight testing whether one is flying a freshly restored 'project' or a new, amatuer-built sport aircraft. The Flight Advisor Program is aimed at reducing accidents and incidents by pairing transitioning pilots with experienced individuals who can "coach" them through their first-flight experiences.
The EAA's membership ranges in expreience from those who have never flown an aircraft to high-time airline or military pilots. On the flight line at the EAA Fly-ln Convention in Oshkosh, it's not unusual for a 30,000 hour pilot to be standing next to a five-hour student. This isn't bad, but it has been especially frustrating to many Advisors. Picture, if you will, an individual who is preparing for a first-flight in a newly restored Cub, or maybe its someone about to launch in a just-completed Glasair who has little knowledge about their aircraft -- someone in need of help who may be standing right next to an 8,000-hour Cub instructor or a high-time Glasair pilot and never even realize it
Because pilots don't wear signs that say who they are or what their experience may be, there's an incredible amount of 'wasted' experience among EAA members. One of the goals of the Flight Advisor Program is to remedy this situation. Through the Flight Advisor Program, some of that experience is being made available to other EAA members, but only if they utilize the Flight Advisor Program. In effect, each Flight Advisor is part of a national lending library of experienced aviators.
No one knows everything about every airplane. Everyone has strong and weak points. One pilot may be able to look back on 10,000 hours spread out over two dozen different types of antique biplanes. That certainly qualifies that pilot as a biplane expert. Another individual may have only 1,500 hours total time, but 1000 of that is in checking people out in Stearmans... making that pilot an expert in just one type of biplane, a Stearman, even though the pilot could probably talk knowledgeably about several other biplanes.
Neither of the above pilots, assuming they don't also have a bunch of high-performance home built time, should be expected to sit down with the builder of a Glasair lll and relate any details or quirks about flying that airplane. Since none of us knows everything, a selective match between a Flight Advisor's experience and the aircraft's requirements is needed. It is EAA's goal is to put an individual who needs knowledge about a specific aircraft in contact with a pilot who has the needed experience in type or at least in a very similar aircraft. To accomplish this goal, EAA headquarters maintains a computer data base of all Flight Advisors and is able to match a Flight Advisor's experience with the requirements of a first-flight pilot - whether builder or restorer. All Chapters are encouraged to have highly experienced members join the Flight Advisor Program. All Flight Advisors must be approved by EAA headquarters. Additionally, the Chapter President must endorse the application of any affiliated Flight Advisor who represents that Chapter. For more information on joining, contact your local Flight Advisor or call EAA Headquarters 1-800-843-3612.
Don't think the Flight Advisor Program is aimed only at homebuilts, because it's not. Its focus is on the individual who is going to fly an aircraft for the first time. It doesn't make any difference whether it is a 1953 Bonanza, 1917 Jenny, Questair Venture, or Mini-Max ultralight. A first flight, is a first flight, is a first flight! And there is a Flight Advisor for every type of aircraft from the simplest ultralight to something as complex as a B-52 somewhere in the EAA Flight Advisor Program.
Another primary function of a Flight Advisor is helping builder-pilots evaluate their aircraft's requirements from a piloting skills stand point -- in other words, what skills does the aircraft require of the pilot so that the first flight can be safely flown? This evaluation will also include a 'look' at their home airport with an 'eye' for safety. (Is the runway long enough?... does it have emergency landing sites?, etc.) Then, the Flight Advisor will help the individual evaluate themself as a pilot. These evaluations are placed side-by-side so the pilot can clearly see how their experience and proficiency prepare them to face the demands which will be placed upon them during the first flight with their aircraft.
A Flight Advisor will not tell the pilot that he or she is qualified to fly an airplane, nor will he advise a pilot to fly a given aircraft, even if it is obvious he or she can.
Flight Advisors do no actual flying as a Flight Advisor, neither as a first-flight pilot nor as an instructor. That doesn't mean that a Flight Advisor can't make a first-flight for someone, but it must be clear all around that the Advisor is acting as an individual, and not as a Flight Advisor representing the EAA. For guidance in such matters, EAA provides Flight Advisors with a comprehensive handbook covering their duties, help on providing evaluations, and information about establishing a flight testing program.
EAA sends a complementary Flight Advisor newsletters to each Flight Advisor and Technical Counselor. The newsletters are incorporated in "The EXPERIMENTER", a fine EAA publication dedicated to home building. Anyone can subscribe by calling 1-800-843-3612, extension 6527.
The EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan is currently with Falcon Insurance Agency. To learn more about the program, rates, etc. call Falcon Insurance Agency at 1-866-647-4EAA(4322).
Contact one of your Chapter's Flight Advisors and talk about the Flight Advisor Program ... maybe you're right for it or it's right for you!
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