Narrative:

I was flying an amateur built experimental certified vans RV6A aircraft. The aircraft belongs to a friend; which he purchased from the original builder several years ago. In the morning of the incident; I verified the weather conditions; spoke with the owner of the aircraft and queried of its status; as he has been flying it quite frequently the past few days. He stated that the aircraft was performing well and the flights that both his recently certified pilot son and himself have done recently; were uneventful. On numerous occasions; I've asked the owner/operator if the aircraft has a pilot operating handbook specific to that aircraft. He has stated that since the aircraft was amateur built; it does not have a pilot operating handbook specific to the airplane. Further; as long as the pilot is familiar with the aircraft systems and placarded operational limitations; any appropriately certified pilot could fly the airplane. I preflighted the aircraft and glanced at the clear pouch where normally the aircraft documents would be kept behind the pilot's seat. I noticed what appeared to be the airworthiness certificate and registration; bundled together. After what I considered a thorough preflight; I started the engine and flew to my destination. During normal cruise on the return leg; the airplane experienced a partial loss of power and I elected to make a precautionary landing at a cow pasture. I had a successful off-airport landing. After securing the aircraft; I tried to gather the paperwork and documents requested by aviation safety inspector; and that might be required by the regulations applicable to my flight. I could not immediately find the 'special airworthiness certificate' when queried. Later that night; the owner of the airplane informed me that the certificate was located inside his son pilot's logbook inside the aircraft. This was confirmed and shown to the FSDO inspectors the subsequent day. The inspector also requested to see the 'operational limitations' of the aircraft. I was not familiar with the term or the specific information he was requesting; except the placarded limitations on the aircraft and those stated on the 'generic' pilot operating handbook provided by the 'airplane kit' manufacturer; van's aircraft. I asked the owner/operator if he was aware of a document of such nature; he stated that he was not; nor had he ever heard of such a thing. After doing some research; I found confusing literature referencing the operational limitations of an amateur built aircraft. Specifically; advisory circular 20-27F; pertaining to certification of amateur built aircraft. After reading advisory circular 20-27F; it seemed that after the experimental aircraft had progressed to phase ii there could be no operational limitations provided. My impression obviously was different that the FAA's and no one except for the inspector himself had a clear understanding of this requirement. I believe that if an operations limitations document is required; then it should be mandated to be reviewed with each yearly condition inspection. On top of the inherent risks associated with flying an experimental aircraft; I believe that there should be an awareness program to educate pilots both that do not regularly fly amateur built aircraft; and those that do. It should make it clear that there are marked regulatory differences in the operation and requirements of flying an amateur built aircraft versus an aircraft certificated under another category. This served as a reminder that the rules that regulate our flights most of the time do not necessarily apply to all category aircraft and could be more or less restrictive. I took corrective action by researching and ensuring the owner/operator understanding of the rules pertaining to its particular aircraft; and the steps required to obtain a set of operational limitations for his aircraft.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: After an off-airport landing because of a partial power loss; an RV6A pilot found that the aircraft's Operational Limitations document was not with the aircraft as required for amateur build experimental aircraft.

Narrative: I was flying an amateur built experimental certified Vans RV6A aircraft. The aircraft belongs to a friend; which he purchased from the original builder several years ago. In the morning of the incident; I verified the weather conditions; spoke with the owner of the aircraft and queried of its status; as he has been flying it quite frequently the past few days. He stated that the aircraft was performing well and the flights that both his recently certified pilot son and himself have done recently; were uneventful. On numerous occasions; I've asked the Owner/Operator if the aircraft has a Pilot Operating Handbook specific to that aircraft. He has stated that since the aircraft was amateur built; it does not have a Pilot Operating Handbook specific to the airplane. Further; as long as the pilot is familiar with the aircraft systems and placarded Operational Limitations; any appropriately certified pilot could fly the airplane. I preflighted the aircraft and glanced at the clear pouch where normally the aircraft documents would be kept behind the pilot's seat. I noticed what appeared to be the airworthiness certificate and registration; bundled together. After what I considered a thorough preflight; I started the engine and flew to my destination. During normal cruise on the return leg; the airplane experienced a partial loss of power and I elected to make a precautionary landing at a cow pasture. I had a successful off-airport landing. After securing the aircraft; I tried to gather the paperwork and documents requested by Aviation Safety Inspector; and that might be required by the regulations applicable to my flight. I could not immediately find the 'Special Airworthiness Certificate' when queried. Later that night; the Owner of the airplane informed me that the certificate was located inside his son pilot's logbook inside the aircraft. This was confirmed and shown to the FSDO Inspectors the subsequent day. The Inspector also requested to see the 'Operational Limitations' of the aircraft. I was not familiar with the term or the specific information he was requesting; except the placarded limitations on the aircraft and those stated on the 'generic' Pilot Operating Handbook provided by the 'airplane kit' Manufacturer; Van's aircraft. I asked the Owner/Operator if he was aware of a document of such nature; he stated that he was not; nor had he ever heard of such a thing. After doing some research; I found confusing literature referencing the Operational Limitations of an amateur built aircraft. Specifically; Advisory Circular 20-27F; pertaining to certification of amateur built aircraft. After reading Advisory Circular 20-27F; it seemed that after the experimental aircraft had progressed to phase II there could be no Operational Limitations provided. My impression obviously was different that the FAA's and no one except for the Inspector himself had a clear understanding of this requirement. I believe that if an operations limitations document is required; then it should be mandated to be reviewed with each yearly condition inspection. On top of the inherent risks associated with flying an experimental aircraft; I believe that there should be an awareness program to educate pilots both that do not regularly fly amateur built aircraft; and those that do. It should make it clear that there are marked regulatory differences in the operation and requirements of flying an amateur built aircraft versus an aircraft certificated under another category. This served as a reminder that the rules that regulate our flights most of the time do not necessarily apply to all category aircraft and could be more or less restrictive. I took corrective action by researching and ensuring the Owner/Operator understanding of the rules pertaining to its particular aircraft; and the steps required to obtain a set of Operational Limitations for his aircraft.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.