Midwest Flyer Magazine - August/September 2021

Page 49

(L/R) Gordy and Tom Briden tackle a Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) project at Tom Briden’s shop in Stacy, Minnesota.

LSA Certification Within Your Reach!

F

by Tom Briden

Copyright 2021. All rights reserved!

ellow Birdmen and future “Erks” (ref. WWII mechanics), I just returned from a 120-hour, 15-day aviation maintenance course taught by Rainbow Aviation, the Light Sport Specialists, in Kingsville, Missouri (https://rainbowaviation.com/). Our instructors were the owners – husband and wife team, Brian and Carol Carpenter. Both are flyers, aircraft owners, and mechanics. This event was a jammed packed, fun-filled and challenging curriculum that mirrors the knowledge and practical application of the FAA Aviation Maintenance Handbooks (FAA-H-808330A, 31 and 32) and Advisory Circular 43.13-1b/2b, more commonly known as “Aircraft Inspection and Repair.” After completing the course, I left with a Certificate of Completion of Light Sport Repairman Maintenance - Airplane in hand. I will now present this certificate to my local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) for my license under FAR 65.107. With this repairman certificate and license, I can now work for hire to maintain Special Category Light-Sport Aircraft (SLSA) and Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (ELSA). It’s one more step to eventually obtaining my Airframe and Powerplant Certificate (A&P), if I choose to do that. All mornings start with 4 hours of lecture, lunch, and more talk, followed up by a workshop. Carol specializes in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), repairman eligibility, privileges, limitations, rules and regulations, FAA liaisons, registrations, Light Sport differences, inspections, checklists, service directives, orders and notices, resources,

links, logbooks, testing and much more. Her background is in education and she adds excitement and humor to what could be described as mundane. Brian is the recipient of the 2017 FAA National Aviation Technician of the Year Award. He is the consummate professional. “Van” (i.e. Richard "Van" VanGrunsven, Van’s Aircraft) has him on speed-dial. His exemplary talent and use of training aids is the best I’ve ever seen. I was enamored by his interactive white board, slides, videos, diagrams, demos and handouts. Brian’s explanation of aviation physics, aircraft design and function, troubleshooting, carburetor synchronization, engine mechanics and gearbox harmony, along with his shop supervision, made learning a breeze. He was the spigot… I was the sponge. All 16 of us students felt more useful, better educated and more competent, based on work performed. Whenever I hear or read about “sport mechanics,” LSAs, moment of inertia, EMG-6, weight shift, 3D modeling, electric powerplants, powered parachutes, Jabiru, sail cloth, LOAs, spark plug analysis, hangar 7, Corrosion X, all things Rotax, flutter, punch testing, pulse wave, Buzz Master, gliders and many more GA topics, I will recall this class and think of my mentors, Brian and Carol. I am excited to enter the field of LSA maintenance. If you’re looking for a world-class hands-on experience in the heartland of America, you should consider this course provided by Rainbow Aviation! 7,000-plus graduates already have. Tom Briden, ATP, FE, CFI A&I, USAF, LSRM-A, Repairman A/B. q AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE 49


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Articles inside

Awards & Recognition

2min
page 61

Classifieds

6min
pages 62-66

Calendar

3min
page 60

Midwest Seaplane Pilot

1min
pages 56-57

Fighting Lock-Down With A Flight Simulator - by Sean G. Dwyer

16min
pages 50-53

To Audiences Around The World

3min
pages 42-43

by Kris Christenson The Left Seat: Flying Cross-Country A Lot? A Timeshare May Work For You! -

4min
page 35

Jet It & JetClub Move Forward With Electric Airplanes

5min
pages 44-45

LSA Certification Within Your Reach - by Tom Briden

2min
page 49

When the runway is shorter than published - by Rick Braunig

7min
pages 40-41

MnDOT Air Mobility Strategic Plan Looks To The Future - by Michael Johnson Improved Internet Services Coming To Many Minnesota Airports -

3min
page 34

Advisory Councils & You! - by Kyle Lewis Ask Pete! A Prepurchase Inspection Can Be An Annual Inspection,

5min
pages 21-22

Wisconsin Aviation Celebrates Four Decades of Service

3min
page 12

From AOPA Headquarters: The Show Goes On - by Mark Baker

3min
page 20

AOPA, COPA Urge Canada To Allow Pilots With Basic Med To Fly In Canada

4min
page 14

But It’s Usually Not That Thorough - by Pete Schoeninger Aviation Law – On Your Side: Does The “As-Is” Language In An Aircraft

7min
pages 15-16

by Bob and Anita Worthington

8min
pages 17-19

High On Health: Do You Have A Valid Medical - by Dr. Bill Blank Instrument Flight: The Human Factors In Instrument Flying -

1min
page 13

Purchase Agreement Make A Difference? - by Gregory J. Reigel

4min
pages 8-9

by Michael J. (Mick) Kaufman

5min
pages 10-11
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