Vans RV10 condition inspection help wanted Feb 2026

4RNB

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4RNB
My condition inspection expires January 2026. For the first two weeks of February I will be taking the 15 day light sport repairman class, after which I might be able to perform my own inspection. Complicating this is the likely need for updated operating limitations and/or the need to have the local FSDO bless me with repairman certification. I'm not sure how comfortable I will be after the class to function on my own, especially the first time. I would like to obtain some help.

I would like to enlist some help, ideally from an AP with RV10 experience, hopefully to come to my location and supervise my doing the work along with signing off the inspection if needed. I am trying to source my own tools for this but fully expect the process to be slow due to my ignorance of what all is required. I hope the right person can bring their own tools, or communicate clearly with me on tools to have on hand. I have a post on VAF about this and will be buying a number of things.

My class ends February 15th. I have a hangar in a region that's mild temperatures but this might be a cold time of year to work long days. We operate an Airbnb and cook good food. @Tools can confirm

Happy to discuss here but firm details via private messages please.
 
I would like to enlist some help, ideally from an AP with RV10 experience,
Perhaps contact the local EAA group for assistance as some have A&Ps who provide such assistance. And as I recall there are a number of references on their website that may give you some additional information on condition inspections.
 
Perhaps contact the local EAA group for assistance as some have A&Ps who provide such assistance. And as I recall there are a number of references on their website that may give you some additional information on condition inspections.
Thanks, I have a few leads along those lines but each has drawbacks.
 
Yes. I HIGHLY recommend the visit. I’d go in a heartbeat if not for the current job just making it difficult.

Consider buying the RV maint book. Has a nice checklist in it and other info. Good reference no matter the situation.

Happy Thanksgiving!
 
The book arrives Friday.
 
supervise my doing the work along with signing off the inspection if needed.
You take the class and have the authority, you sign the inspection. Asking an A&P to sign off on an inspection that you did would not get you very far in my book. If you have a question about X, that's fine... but sign my name/number on an inspection that I didn't 100% perform? No thank you.

As for tools again, you take the class, you should know what you need. You can buy almost everything you need for less than $500 and then rent scales/jacks if needed. Some big ticket items would be an accurate protractor and a cable tension gauge. For some reason those damn things are ridiculously expensive.
 
You take the class and have the authority, you sign the inspection. Asking an A&P to sign off on an inspection that you did would not get you very far in my book. If you have a question about X, that's fine... but sign my name/number on an inspection that I didn't 100% perform? No thank you.
The A&P's expertise is needed for the inspection, not the mundane stuff that takes all the time. Things like pulling all the access panels, changing the oil and filter, cleaning the plugs, packing wheel bearings, putting together a list of AD's or service bulletins. Any owner can do those things without the need to tie up an A&P for the work.
 
You take the class and have the authority, you sign the inspection. Asking an A&P to sign off on an inspection that you did would not get you very far in my book. If you have a question about X, that's fine... but sign my name/number on an inspection that I didn't 100% perform? No thank you.

As for tools again, you take the class, you should know what you need. You can buy almost everything you need for less than $500 and then rent scales/jacks if needed. Some big ticket items would be an accurate protractor and a cable tension gauge. For some reason those damn things are ridiculously expensive.

Yeah I agree, EXCEPT:
1. I do not know how easy it is to meet with the FSDO and get the add on repairman.
2. Current operating limitations need to be changed, the process is not yet public or known...
Thus:
I might need someone else to sign.

Tools? I want them now so I can inspect right after the class, otherwise I wait for shipping. I bought (and used) inspection mirrors yesterday, working on a larger order for other things.
 
Yeah I agree, EXCEPT:
1. I do not know how easy it is to meet with the FSDO and get the add on repairman.
2. Current operating limitations need to be changed, the process is not yet public or known...
Thus:
I might need someone else to sign.

Tools? I want them now so I can inspect right after the class, otherwise I wait for shipping. I bought (and used) inspection mirrors yesterday, working on a larger order for other things.
Ok, now you've got me curious. What op lims need to be changed and why?
 
Op Lims for experimental state the condition inspection may be done by a licensed mechanic or the builder repair man a light sport repair man is not a builder repair man and apparently the FAA does not think of them as being licensed mechanics. The repair man is distinct and different than mechanic . It is believed that some FAA lawyer stated that these restrictions in the operating limitations do not permit new light sport repairman to do the inspections yet it is also thought that there is going to be some mechanism to get the operating limitations changed, but because of the government shut down that process has not yet been made public so there’s been a rush of people taking lsri and karma classes but there is not yet a process in place to change operating limitations

The preceding was voice dictated
 
You take the class and have the authority, you sign the inspection. Asking an A&P to sign off on an inspection that you did would not get you very far in my book. If you have a question about X, that's fine... but sign my name/number on an inspection that I didn't 100% perform? No thank you.

As for tools again, you take the class, you should know what you need. You can buy almost everything you need for less than $500 and then rent scales/jacks if needed. Some big ticket items would be an accurate protractor and a cable tension gauge. For some reason those damn things are ridiculously expensive.
That's a lot of words to say you're not interested in helping.
 
I will be taking the 15 day light sport repairman class, after which I might be able to perform my own inspection. Complicating this is the likely need for updated operating limitations and/or the need to have the local FSDO bless me with repairman certification.
I read this to mean that you will be getting the authority to do your own inspections. Is that not correct? Are there intermediate steps you are omitting from your post?

"Now, any EAB owner can take a 16-hour LSA repairman—inspection course and, once certificated, legally perform the condition inspection on their own amateur-built aircraft, provided it is in the same category (e.g., airplane) as their training. For those who want to do more, completing a longer LSA repairman—maintenance course allows a person to perform the condition inspection on any EAB of the same category, not just one they own."

Updated operating limitations has nothing to do with the ability to perform annual CIs.

The FSDO will simply issue the certificate once you have the proper documents to show completion of the LSA-R training.

After all that... my original question still stands: If you are authorized to perform the inspection after the 'long course' what do you need an A&P for? Secondly, why would he sign off YOUR inspection? If you do pass the class, what do you need the A&P for? Your need for tooling isn't going away.

Side note: not many A&Ps want the liability of signing off a EAB. Also most A&Ps know that in the certificated world inspections cannot be supervised. Unless they are in the EAB world, that may be a hard sell to convince them otherwise,
Side side note: why would anyone want the liability of signing off an EAB from anyone else? But I digress.
 
I read this to mean that you will be getting the authority to do your own inspections. Is that not correct? Are there intermediate steps you are omitting from your post?

"Now, any EAB owner can take a 16-hour LSA repairman—inspection course and, once certificated, legally perform the condition inspection on their own amateur-built aircraft, provided it is in the same category (e.g., airplane) as their training. For those who want to do more, completing a longer LSA repairman—maintenance course allows a person to perform the condition inspection on any EAB of the same category, not just one they own."

Updated operating limitations has nothing to do with the ability to perform annual CIs.

The FSDO will simply issue the certificate once you have the proper documents to show completion of the LSA-R training.

After all that... my original question still stands: If you are authorized to perform the inspection after the 'long course' what do you need an A&P for? Secondly, why would he sign off YOUR inspection?

Side note: not many A&Ps want the liability of signing off a EAB.
Side side note: why would anyone want the liability of signing off an EAB from anyone else? But I digress.
I think the point is he hasn't done an inspection and would like someone experienced, preferably with RV-10 experience to help. There's also the possibility that he doesn't complete the course for whatever reason and will need an A&P to do the inspection.

As to the A&P or IA's risk, what's the difference vs a 50 year old Bonanza?
 
After all that... my original question still stands: If you are authorized to perform the inspection after the 'long course' what do you need an A&P for?
If you were to actually read his posts you'd find he's looking for a mechanic to walk him through an inspection to learn it and only to sign it if he couldn't get his LSRM paperwork finished. Nothing wrong with someone to look for input on something they have never performed just like an A&P.

Updated operating limitations has nothing to do with the ability to perform annual CIs.
So are there any Operating Limitations you know of that state an LSRI or LSRM can sign off the condition inspection? Since the OpsLimits are part of the AWC, how would an LSRI legally sign off the inspection if it does not state that?

Side note: not many A&Ps want the liability of signing off a EAB.
Well, up till MOSAIC was passed there were quite a few E/ABs that needed an A&P to sign the condition inspection since there was no other option. Regardless, I found E/AB owners to be more involved in the aircraft than TC aircraft owners and didn't have an issue to sign one if asked. So just because you wouldn't perform one or are not a supporter of preventive mx by owners on TC aircraft, doesn't mean the rest of us think the same.;)
 
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I read this to mean that you will be getting the authority to do your own inspections. Is that not correct? Are there intermediate steps you are omitting from your post?

"Now, any EAB owner can take a 16-hour LSA repairman—inspection course and, once certificated, legally perform the condition inspection on their own amateur-built aircraft, provided it is in the same category (e.g., airplane) as their training. For those who want to do more, completing a longer LSA repairman—maintenance course allows a person to perform the condition inspection on any EAB of the same category, not just one they own."

Updated operating limitations has nothing to do with the ability to perform annual CIs.

The FSDO will simply issue the certificate once you have the proper documents to show completion of the LSA-R training.

After all that... my original question still stands: If you are authorized to perform the inspection after the 'long course' what do you need an A&P for? Secondly, why would he sign off YOUR inspection? If you do pass the class, what do you need the A&P for? Your need for tooling isn't going away.

Side note: not many A&Ps want the liability of signing off a EAB. Also most A&Ps know that in the certificated world inspections cannot be supervised. Unless they are in the EAB world, that may be a hard sell to convince them otherwise,
Side side note: why would anyone want the liability of signing off an EAB from anyone else? But I digress.
I might need an and p for the exact reason I mentioned in the first original post.

Side note: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/news-and-pu...pection-privileges-for-amateur-built-aircraft

New op
Lim process not yet public
 
So the LSR-ABCDEFG whatever is neither a mechanic OR a repairman (per the FAR).

(I did edit my reply after reading sum stuffs)
 
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So the LSR-ABCDEFG whatever is neither a mechanic OR a repairman (per the FAR).

Not sure how you are coming up with that, the CFR's are very clear.

Subpart E—Repairmen​

§ 65.101 Eligibility requirements: General.
(a) To be eligible for a repairman certificate a person must—

65.103 Repairman certificate: Privileges and limitations.​

(c) This section does not apply to the holder of a repairman certificate (experimental aircraft builder) issued in accordance with § 65.104 or to the holder of a repairman certificate (light-sport) issued in accordance with § 65.107, while that repairman is performing work under that certificate.

65.107 Repairman certificate (light-sport): Eligibility and training courses.​


(a) Ratings. The following ratings may be issued on a repairman certificate (light-sport) under this section:

(1) Inspection rating.
(2) Maintenance rating.

(b) Eligibility requirements: General. To be eligible for a repairman certificate (light-sport), a person must:

(1) Be at least 18 years old;
(2) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English;
(3) Complete a training course pursuant to paragraph (c) or (d) of this section, as applicable to the rating sought;
(4) Pass a written test administered by the training course provider that covers the contents of the course pursuant to paragraph (c) or (d) of this section, as applicable to the rating sought; and
(5) Present documentary evidence of completion of the FAA-accepted training course required by paragraph (b)(3) of this section and passage of the written test required by paragraph (b)(4) of this section, to the Administrator.

(c) Inspection rating training course. To obtain an inspection rating on a repairman certificate (light-sport), a person must complete a 16-hour training course accepted by the Administrator on inspecting the category, and class as applicable, of experimental aircraft for which the person intends to exercise the privileges of the rating.

(d) Maintenance rating training course. To obtain a maintenance rating on a repairman certificate (light-sport), a person must complete a training course accepted by the Administrator that includes content on, at a minimum, the knowledge, risk management, and skill elements for each subject contained in the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards (incorporated by reference, see § 65.23), that are appropriate to the category, and class as applicable, of aircraft for which the person intends to exercise the privileges of the rating.

(e) Training course providers. Training course providers must:

(1) Deliver the training course described in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section using facilities, equipment, and materials appropriate to the training course content taught;
(2) Use instructors that are appropriately qualified to teach the course content; and
(3) After a student completes the training course as required by paragraph (b)(3) of this section and passes the written test as required by paragraph (b)(4) of this section, provide a certificate of completion to the student indicating the:

(i) Name of the training provider;
(ii) FAA course acceptance number;
(iii) Rating applicable to the training course;
(iv) Aircraft category, and class as applicable, the training was based on; and
(v) Date of training completion.

(f) Certificate issuance and equivalency.

(1) A repairman certificate (light-sport) will be issued with category privileges, and may be issued with class limitations within the category sought pursuant to the completed training required by paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
(2) A repairman certificate (light-sport aircraft) that was issued before and was valid on October 22, 2025 is equivalent to a repairman certificate (light-sport) with the same ratings.
(3) Aircraft class privileges issued on a repairman certificate (light-sport aircraft) before and valid on October 22, 2025 are equivalent to aircraft category privileges, except as provided in paragraph (f)(4) of this section.
(4) A repairman certificate (light-sport aircraft) with an inspection rating and gyroplane class privileges issued before and valid on October 22, 2025 is equivalent to a repairman (light-sport) certificate with an inspection rating and rotorcraft category privileges limited to the gyroplane class.

(g) Delayed compliance. Inspection and maintenance rating training courses designed for glider class privileges and accepted prior to October 22, 2025 may not be offered by a training course provider after July 24, 2026.
 
I would like to enlist some help, ideally from an AP with RV10 experience, hopefully to come to my location and supervise my doing the work along with signing off the inspection if needed
Might be easier to find an A&P with RV experience that you would go to and observe, take notes.

BTW - what's the old joke? Shop rate is $125 an hour unless customer assists, in which case it's $200 an hour.
 
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