CASA will investigate a legislative solution for home-builders to find weight and balance data for their aircraft rather than use a Weight Control Officer.
The Sports Aircraft Association of Australia (SAAA) flagged the issue when it was realised that builders of amateur-built experimental (AB-E) aircraft did not have the right to determine their own weight and balance figures, but needed to use an authorised weight control officer.
CASA explained the issue in detail in their July Briefing.
"With only a small number of people holding an aircraft weight control authority from CASA, this had the potential to add costs and time to completing amateur built aircraft. The weight and balance data is required before aircraft builders can apply for a special certificate of airworthiness.
"In the past amateur aircraft builders have weighed their own aircraft and calculated the empty weight centre of gravity as part of the building process. However, the Civil Aviation Order [CAO 100.7] relating to the weight control of aircraft does apply to amateur built aircraft, which means under the current rules they need to use the services of a weight control officer, many of whom are not available for this type of work."
The SAAA estimated that the issue could add up to $4000 to the cost of completing an AB-E aircraft, about 60 of which are finished in Australia every year.