BeechTalk - BT - Video: Owner Chooses to Destroy RV-8 Due to Liability

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Oct 2015, 12:02

This guy is a good friend of mine. He lost his medical a few years ago and has waited patiently for the FAA's medical reform. He finally lost patience and went light-sport with an RV-12, manufactured by Vans, not kit-built. He is a somewhat eccentric very high net-worth individual who is scared of the liability in selling the RV-8 he built a few years ago. He has an odd sense of humor and had his daughter make this video. I'm posting it with his permission. If you know him, please keep his identity confidential. The video is about 6 1/2 minutes.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9zLO5Sem6Ew

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Oct 2015, 12:08

How is he flying LSA if he "lost" his medical?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Oct 2015, 12:13

He could've let it expire and go LSA, which is what some pilots do if they know they won't qualify the next time around rather than submit an application and get a denial letter.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Oct 2015, 12:15

Username Protected wrote:

if they know they won't qualify the next time around

Which means they aren't legal to fly LSA either.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Oct 2015, 12:18

Good for him. He built it and he can destroy it. That'll teach those filthy lawyers. :doh:

Another option, however, might be to remove the data plates, de-register the aircraft with the FAA, and donate it to an A&P school with the stipulation that it can never be flown again.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Oct 2015, 12:19

So sad our country has come to something like this. It isn't hard to understand where this gentleman is coming from though.

An aside.... What is the hex all about in the video title? I didn't try to figure it out or anything, but it must have some meaning.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Oct 2015, 12:19

Username Protected wrote:

How is he flying LSA if he "lost" his medical?

Doesn't LSA not require medical?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Oct 2015, 12:28

Username Protected wrote:

if they know they won't qualify the next time around

Which means they aren't legal to fly LSA either.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Oct 2015, 12:45

Username Protected wrote:

if they know they won't qualify the next time around

Which means they aren't legal to fly LSA either.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Oct 2015, 12:46

He lost his medical.
He isn't legal to fly LSA either.

You can let the medical expire and go fly LSA but if you have a disqualifying condition (hence the lost medical) you can't fly LSA either.

I don't believe LSA allows you to fly with an otherwise disqualifying condition but I may be wrong. ..............and we can discuss the reality of that in the hangar.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Oct 2015, 12:49

Poor choice of words - He didn't "lose" his medical. He had a heart event and was told it would be unlikely he would be eligible for a special issuance.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Oct 2015, 13:08

Username Protected wrote:

Poor choice of words - He didn't "lose" his medical. He had a heart event and was told it would be unlikely he would be eligible for a special issuance.

And so, like Scott said, it's unlikely he's legal to fly as a Sport Pilot. It's one thing to go SP because you don't want to hassle with Special Issuances. It's another thing entirely to have a disqualifying condition, be aware of it, and continue to fly.

Sport Pilot allows self-certification. That isn't the same as flying with known disqualifications.

As for this RV-8, IMHO he could have protected his assets and still put the airplane to better use than this little tantrum.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Oct 2015, 13:16

What a shame. The RV-8 is a great plane.

I understand the thought process, but think he was going to extremes to make his point.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Oct 2015, 13:18

Username Protected wrote:

What do you mean Scott? Plenty of LSA pilots are avoiding the medical SI process and are flying LSA's. I have a friend right now who has some lingering issues thanks to a bizarre dog walking injury and was just told by AOPA medical services last week to let his current medical lapse in order to preserve his LSA privileges.

If you have a disqualifying condition for your 3rd class medical then you aren't legal to fly LSA.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Oct 2015, 13:23

I have a friend who did the same thing. He had an RV-8 that he built and had pretty much stopped flying, wanted the engine for another project, so he just dismantled the RV and hung it in a storage area. He said he was going to destroy it and may have. I haven't talked to him in quite a while.

Jgreen