How to avoid the "EXPERIMENTAL" placard.

[TXFlyGuy]

We are painting our replica P-51D.

By adding an X to the N number (NX15180) I am told we can omit the EXPERIMENTAL placard.

Is this true?

[martymayes]

By adding an X to the N number (NX15180) I am told we can omit the EXPERIMENTAL placard.

Is this true?

It is true according to https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/...r/AC_45-2E.pdf if your plane meets eligibility requirements to display an NX number

[TXFlyGuy]

Thanks.

[FlyingRon]

Depends on what you mean by "placard." If you're talking about the word EXPERIMENTAL otherwise required to be painted on the plane near the entrance, then yes the NX number will suffice. If you're talking about the passenger warning placard, the only way around that is only having one seat.

Talking about this:


Rather than this


(Ten points if you identify what aircraft these placards were on.)

[CarlOrton]

787 test bed

[Frank Giger]

Hahaha...I have the Passenger placard on my one seat airplane's panel. I think it's funny.

[FlyingRon]

787 test bed

10 points for you.

[Joda]

We are painting our replica P-51D.

By adding an X to the N number (NX15180) I am told we can omit the EXPERIMENTAL placard.

Is this true?

Is your P-51-D a full-size replica, or scaled down? If it's scaled down is it from a kit? If it's a full-size replica then the X is legal. If it's scaled down and built from a kit, only if the original prototype of that kit flew at least 30 years ago can you use the X as a replacement for the "EXPERIMENTAL" marking. If it's a scaled-down replica that you built from plans or from scratch, you need the "EXPERIMENTAL" placard.

Remember that even if you determine that using the X in the N number is legal in your case, you do not use it on any of your paperwork. It is only used in marking the aircraft. If you put it on any of your application paperwork you'll get the application bounced back to you.

[rwanttaja]

Is your P-51-D a full-size replica, or scaled down? If it's scaled down is it from a kit? If it's a full-size replica then the X is legal. If it's scaled down and built from a kit, only if the original prototype of that kit flew at least 30 years ago can you use the X as a replacement for the "EXPERIMENTAL" marking. If it's a scaled-down replica that you built from plans or from scratch, you need the "EXPERIMENTAL" placard.

Dunno, Joe. AC20-27G defines "Replica" as an "...Aircraft with the same external configuration...of a small aircraft built at least 30 years ago" (Table 5, page 21).

It says configuration, not dimensions. In fact, entering "replica" as a Google search, you get, "...an exact copy or model of something, especially one on a smaller scale...." A similar search for "Configuration" gets, "...an arrangement of elements in a particular form, figure, or combination." Nothing about sizing.

Ron "Do I dare say it's a small point?" Wanttaja

[Joda]

Dunno, Joe. AC20-27G defines "Replica" as an "...Aircraft with the same external configuration...of a small aircraft built at least 30 years ago" (Table 5, page 21).

It says configuration, not dimensions. In fact, entering "replica" as a Google search, you get, "...an exact copy or model of something, especially one on a smaller scale...." A similar search for "Configuration" gets, "...an arrangement of elements in a particular form, figure, or combination." Nothing about sizing.

The FAA considers "same external configuration" to include dimensions. I've already been down this road all the way up to FAA HQ, so I'm pretty sure the majority (but not necessarily every) FAA inspector is on this page. You can search for definitions all you want, but it doesn't hold any water with FAA. They have their "definitions" and they're sticking to them. Been there, done that.