legal question

[pmanton]

Enough maintenance is done that a test flight is required. However the annual can't be signed off since the plane won't be airworthy until the test flight is completed.

How do you legally test fly the aircraft?

Paul
N1431A
N83803
2AZ1

 

[poadeleted20]

Enough maintenance is done that a test flight is required. However the annual can't be signed off since the plane won't be airworthy until the test flight is completed.

How do you legally test fly the aircraft?

Without passengers. Once the mechanic signs the annual and the entries for the maintenance, the airplane becomes airworthy per Part 43 and the definition of the word "airworthy." However, per 91.407(b)...

(b) No person may carry any person (other than crewmembers) in an aircraft that has been maintained, rebuilt, or altered in a manner that may have appreciably changed its flight characteristics or substantially affected its operation in flight until an appropriately rated pilot with at least a private pilot certificate flies the aircraft, makes an operational check of the maintenance performed or alteration made, and logs the flight in the aircraft records.

...which is an operating limitation, not a condition of unairworthiness.

 

[RotorAndWing]

Enough maintenance is done that a test flight is required. However the annual can't be signed off since the plane won't be airworthy until the test flight is completed.

How do you legally test fly the aircraft?

Paul
N1431A
N83803
2AZ1

Test flight is signed off after the required maintenance has been performed and signed off.