A good lesson learned here for others to follow . . . beware Amigo!
I started working with a DAR a few months ago to set up a date to have my "super slow-build" RV-4 inspected. Since I'm getting close, he asked me to submit my paperwork to him so he could "look it (the paperwork) over" and "point me in the right direction" - in his words, it would help speed up the process so we wouldn't have to deal with errors the day of the inspection. Seemed like a good idea at the time. I sent him a copy of my registration, an incomplete Form 8130-6 and a complete 8130-12.
As we got further into the process, it seemed to me as if he was being unreasonable on a few items (such as AD compliance with my Experimental Lycoming engine). He was very quick to say "if we have to do an engine tear down" to prove ADs, I'd have to do that and this was even before we addressed any particular AD.
I also asked about my ELT installation and he said I'd have to do a stress pull test to prove compliance with the regs (and I installed the ELT in the baggage compartment attached to the longerons - a very common place for an RV). Again, I though this seemed a little extreem.
When I talked with other APs, IAs and RV builders, they all agreed his demands were unreasonable - to the point they recommended I use another DAR.
Long story short, the further I talked with him, the less I liked what I was hearing. I very politely told him I wanted to end my inspection process with him and proceed with another DAR in the area and I offered to compensate him a reasonable amount for his time spent. He never looked at my airplane, my builder's log or anything else other than the forms I discussed.
As soon as I mentioned that I was going to stop working with him he quickly told me he would HAVE to submit a "letter of denial" to the FAA. Needless to say, I was shocked because I felt as if I was being extorted or strong-armed into finishing the process with him.
After doing some research on this subject, it does sound as if he's correct - if you have appplied for a certificate and don't follow through, he can write the "letter of denial" as you can't simply pull an application you've applied for. Personnally, I don't feel like I formally applied by sending him copies of my three forms listed (especially with one of them being incomplete) but that is his opinion.
So, word to the wise - you may want to think twice about sending your paperwork early to your DAR unless you really know him or her well.
Hope this doesn't happen to you . . . .
Rick
Just added another 90% to the other 90%!
I started working with a DAR a few months ago to set up a date to have my "super slow-build" RV-4 inspected. Since I'm getting close, he asked me to submit my paperwork to him so he could "look it (the paperwork) over" and "point me in the right direction" - in his words, it would help speed up the process so we wouldn't have to deal with errors the day of the inspection. Seemed like a good idea at the time. I sent him a copy of my registration, an incomplete Form 8130-6 and a complete 8130-12.
As we got further into the process, it seemed to me as if he was being unreasonable on a few items (such as AD compliance with my Experimental Lycoming engine). He was very quick to say "if we have to do an engine tear down" to prove ADs, I'd have to do that and this was even before we addressed any particular AD.
I also asked about my ELT installation and he said I'd have to do a stress pull test to prove compliance with the regs (and I installed the ELT in the baggage compartment attached to the longerons - a very common place for an RV). Again, I though this seemed a little extreem.
When I talked with other APs, IAs and RV builders, they all agreed his demands were unreasonable - to the point they recommended I use another DAR.
Long story short, the further I talked with him, the less I liked what I was hearing. I very politely told him I wanted to end my inspection process with him and proceed with another DAR in the area and I offered to compensate him a reasonable amount for his time spent. He never looked at my airplane, my builder's log or anything else other than the forms I discussed.
As soon as I mentioned that I was going to stop working with him he quickly told me he would HAVE to submit a "letter of denial" to the FAA. Needless to say, I was shocked because I felt as if I was being extorted or strong-armed into finishing the process with him.
After doing some research on this subject, it does sound as if he's correct - if you have appplied for a certificate and don't follow through, he can write the "letter of denial" as you can't simply pull an application you've applied for. Personnally, I don't feel like I formally applied by sending him copies of my three forms listed (especially with one of them being incomplete) but that is his opinion.
So, word to the wise - you may want to think twice about sending your paperwork early to your DAR unless you really know him or her well.
Hope this doesn't happen to you . . . .
Rick
Just added another 90% to the other 90%!