Amateur-built and experimental aircraft - Australian Transport Safety ...

The variety of aircraft administered by the AUF, as well the growth in nontraditional
ultralight aircraft such as light sport aircraft and amateur-built aircraft,
led to a change in name to RA-Aus in 2004.
The RA-Aus register of recreational aircraft is independent of the CASAmaintained
VH- register. It began in 1986 with the registration of factory built
training aircraft under CAO 95.25. Recreational Aviation Australia-registered
aircraft can be identified by a six-digit registration (e.g. 24-1901), compared with
the three-letter VH- registration of certified aircraft (e.g. VH-AUS). Since the mid
1980s, at least 150 ABE aircraft have transferred from the VH- to the RA-Aus
register. As of April 2008, there were 2,992 aircraft registered on the RA-Aus
register with about 1,445 ABE aircraft. This compares to approximately 12,600
aircraft of all types on the VH- register in mid-2008, including about 1,165 ABE
aircraft.
Responsibilities of RA-Aus also extend to the investigation of some accidents and
incidents involving RA-Aus-registered recreational aircraft. These investigations
are carried out with the sole intention of reducing the likelihood of a future similar
accident. The investigation and subsequent report is not a means to apportion
blame, but rather to improve safety education material and training, as well as to
issue airworthiness notices for specific aircraft types where appropriate (RA-Aus,
2007).
1.5 Phases of ABE aircraft ownership
The decision to purchase and build an ABE aircraft is not just a matter of going out
and buying an aircraft that is ready to fly. The prospective purchaser or builder will
go through a series of decisions and activities that ensure they can build and/or
operate their aircraft safely.
Figure 13 identifies the major decisions and activities that an ABE aircraft
purchaser or builder typically encounters in the construction and operation of their
aircraft. The blue boxes on the left represent the main decision process, while the
brown boxes on the right represent additional things that the builder or purchaser
may also consider.
There is very little information available on the decisions and processes people have
undertaken for these phases of ownership of an ABE aircraft. This survey was
designed to provide insight into these phases for existing owners and builders of
ABE aircraft.
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