-----Original Message-----
From: ]
Posted At: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 7:03 PM
Posted To: rec.aviation.owning
Conversation: After an annual?
Subject: After an annual?

On 19 Dec 2006 16:03:23 -0800, "Robert M. Gary"
wrote:

snip

Section 91.407: Operation after maintenance, preventive maintenance,
rebuilding, or alteration.
(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.

Anything other than a field overhaul will have been tested for static
horsepower and "run-in" in a test cell according to the mfg's
instructions.

Other than major airframe repairs after a wreck (and certain
autoflight system repairs), I have never signed off/or required a test
flight.

Personally, I don't think a brand spanking new engine-out landing will
be "appreciably changed" from a whipped 20something year-old
engine-out landing...

TC

I haven't seen it done either, but what about the phrase "...may have
appreciably changed its flight characteristics or substantially affected
its operation in flight"? That could easily mean an annual inspection
where access panels and floor boards were removed or where control
cables were disconnected and lubed, or any other type maintenance that
might impact safety of flight. I think this is a really good question
that has been raised and I would expect the attorneys to think likewise.