Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 81

Thread: I'm confused about the maintenance and annuals on an experimental I purchase.

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1

    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Stafford, Virginia
    Posts
    4

    Question I'm confused about the maintenance and annuals on an experimental I purchase.

    I'm having trouble understanding the rules with respect to maintaining an E-LSA or EAB Zodiac 601HD. I originally wanted to build this aircraft but it was for the wrong reasons. I'm no builder. No time, less patience than needed. I spoke to a gentleman who told me he once built an RV6 for $35k more than he purchased one for later. I just want to own the equivalent of an S-LSA for a fraction of the price, if that's even possible. So, if an aircraft is built by someone else, is there any way I can be certified to maintain it and annual it? If I have to build 51% of it, I will, but again, I'm not interested in building.

    This is confusing and with it currently being a buyer's market, I'd like to know exactly what I'm in for as far as ownership costs and the like. Forgive me if this question has been asked a thousand times. As a matter of fact, I would settle for a link to a comprehensive explanation to this E-LSA/EAB/S-LSA "who's on first" quandry.

    Educate me, please.

  2. #2
    Neil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Monroe, LA
    Posts
    91
    If you purchase an Experimental category aircraft you can do the work on the aircraft but the work must be signed off by a licensed mechanic. (A&P) If you (and any number of your closest friends)do 51% of the work on an Experimental Amateur Built aircraft you (or any one of those friends as long as they were not paid) may apply for the repairman's certificate for that airplane. The certificate is not good for any other aircraft even if that aircraft is identical in every way.

    Like you I am a little foggy on some of the wording in the Light Sport arena but if the term Experimental is attached I would bet the above applies.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    112
    Okay here's the scoop, if you don't want to build but you want to escape the racket that is associated with the A/P annuals or conditionals then your choice is left to an ELSA registered aircraft then you must take the 16 hr lightsport maint/inspection course, (there is a specific name for the course it escapes me right now) .After passing you will be able to do the condition inspection on any ELSA registered airplane. I believe but don't quote me that there are some 601"s registered as ELSA.

  4. #4
    CarlOrton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    DFW Area
    Posts
    729
    And to further clarify: Anyone can do any work on any experimental, even if they didn't build it. It's the annual condition inspection that must be performed by EITHER an A&P (no IA required) OR one of the original builders if they have the repairman's certificate FOR THAT AIRCRAFT. Racegunz is correct in that you can take the course for the ELSA repairman certificate.

    Carl Orton
    Sonex #1170 / Zenith 750 Cruzer
    http://mykitlog.com/corton

  5. #5
    rwanttaja's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    2,948
    Quote Originally Posted by Neil View Post
    If you purchase an Experimental category aircraft you can do the work on the aircraft but the work must be signed off by a licensed mechanic. (A&P)
    Clarification: The work does not have to be specifically signed off by an A&P...it is not necessary to gain A&P approval before returning the airplane to service. Rather, during the next Conditional Inspection, the A&P will assess whether the aircraft is airworthy, INCLUDING the work that you'd done.

    I'm in exactly that situation: I extensively modified the electrical system of my Fly Baby, and have been flying it with no problems for the past two months. My Condition Inspection is due, and I've told my A&P about the modifications and warned him that the annual might take a bit more time as he examines my work.

    Quote Originally Posted by Neil View Post
    If you (and any number of your closest friends)do 51% of the work on an Experimental Amateur Built aircraft you (or any one of those friends as long as they were not paid) may apply for the repairman's certificate for that airplane.
    Clarification: By "51% of the work," Neil is refering to the original construction of the aircraft. It does not refer to work you perform on a completed homebuilt (e.g., one with an airworthiness certificate) that you purchased. In other words, you can't get a Repairman Certificate by working on a flying homebuilt that you purchased.

    Quote Originally Posted by Neil View Post
    Like you I am a little foggy on some of the wording in the Light Sport arena but if the term Experimental is attached I would bet the above applies.
    Not precisely. Anyone can maintain an Experimental Light Sport aircraft, just like an Experimental Amateur-Build. The annual condition inspections of ELSAs must be performed either by a licensed A&P or the holder of a Light Sport - Inspector Repairman Certificate. Anyone (not just the builder) can take a 16-hour course and earn that type of Certificate, and can use it to perform the condition inspection on ANY ELSA that they own.

    In other words, if you buy an ELSA, you can take a course that will permit you to perform the condition inspections. That doesn't happen with Experimental Amateur Built repairman certificates; you must be associated with the building of THAT exact aircraft, like Neil says.

    Ron Wanttaja

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Stafford, Virginia
    Posts
    4
    Quote Originally Posted by rwanttaja View Post

    In other words, if you buy an ELSA, you can take a course that will permit you to perform the condition inspections. That doesn't happen with Experimental Amateur Built repairman certificates; you must be associated with the building of THAT exact aircraft, like Neil says.

    Ron Wanttaja
    So, other than weight and cruise speed, how else do you distinguish between a E-LSA and an E-AB? Is this classification solely determined by how the 601HD I purchase was registered originally by the builder?

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Clarklake, MI
    Posts
    2,461
    Quote Originally Posted by AviatorKeith View Post
    Is this classification solely determined by how the 601HD I purchase was registered originally by the builder?
    No, the builder didn't have a choice when he registered the airplane. The 601HD is amateur built, as that's the only classification that fits.

    So, other than weight and cruise speed, how else do you distinguish between a E-LSA and an E-AB?
    An E-LSA is built from a kit that doesn't necessarily meet AB criteria and it's based on a model that conforms to LSA consensus standards.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Stafford, Virginia
    Posts
    4
    Quote Originally Posted by martymayes View Post
    No, the builder didn't have a choice when he registered the airplane. The 601HD is amateur built, as that's the only classification that fits.



    An E-LSA is built from a kit that doesn't necessarily meet AB criteria and it's based on a model that conforms to LSA consensus standards.
    Still confused because the 601HD is a kit that can be built to LSA standards.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Clarklake, MI
    Posts
    2,461
    Quote Originally Posted by AviatorKeith View Post
    I would settle for a link to a comprehensive explanation to this E-LSA/EAB/S-LSA "who's on first" quandry.

    Educate me, please.

    Here ya go: http://www.sportpilot.org/learn/

  10. #10
    I've had a very hard time getting a conditional inspection done on my EAB. Is their a data base with all of the A&P mechanics by state or region so I could find one , my FBO wants to charge the same as a certified aircraft. $ 1200. To start, I've seen advertising for conditional inspections for as little as $ 400, just not around southdakota, any help, thanks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •