Experimental Aircraft Question?

R

rookiepilot_20

Well-Known Member
I have been seeing all kinds of info/shows on kit airplanes. I am wondering if you legally have to have a licensed A & P to repair/maintain these aircraft like you would a cessna, piper etc.? It seems like if they let you build your own plane, you could repair your own plane? My dad is an auto mechanic and I know quite a bit about cars and engines. I think it would be cool to build a kit plane like velocity http://www.velocityaircraft.com/ a few years from now but be able to rebuild the engine, electronics etc. by myself. Thanks
 
afaik no, you can't work on them... hell, you can't even change the oil (well you can, but cant chagne the filter which then makes oil chaning pointless)
 
I thought it was determined by the 51/49 rule?
taseal said:
hell, you can't even change the oil (well you can, but cant chagne the filter which then makes oil chaning pointless)
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Changing the oil filter is part of the preventative maintenance allowable by Part 43 Appendix A (c).
 
rookiepilot_20 said:
It seems like if they let you build your own plane, you could repair your own plane?
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If you build it, YOU are the manufacturer and you are approved to do all mx and mods. If you BUY an experimental you must either have the original builder do the work or a licensed A&P.
 
when you build you get an faa repairman certificate with your new airplanes serial number on it authorizing you to work on your airplane. Its not good on any other experimental though, just the one you build.
 
If you build it, YOU are the manufacturer and you are approved to do all mx and mods. If you BUY an experimental you must either have the original builder do the work or a licensed A&P.
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:yeahthat: And by build it, he means you have to build at least 51% of the airplane. I also believe an FAA inspector will do various inspections during the build process. I think he can ask you questions on how you went about building certain parts.

There are also "builder assist" programs. Depending on the company, they can for a price, help you build your A/C in a shorter amount of time. Their kind of like a plane builder "coach", and you still get the 51% criteria met.

Also check out eaa.com, I am sure they have a FAQ with all you would need to know.
 
The only maintence leagaly required for an aircraft in the experimantal catagory, is the annual "condition" inspection. It's basicly an annual, but dosen't require an IA to sign it off.

If you are the builder, you can apply for a repairmans certificate, which allows you to sign off this inspection. This reparimens cert applys ONLY to your airplane, no others.

If you buy a hombuilt which is finished, you must get an A&P to do the "condition" ispection.

Otherwise you can do all the rest of the work yourself, useing whatever parts you see fit.
 
USMCmech said:
The only maintence leagaly required for an aircraft in the experimantal catagory, is the annual "condition" inspection. It's basicly an annual, but dosen't require an IA to sign it off.

If you are the builder, you can apply for a repairmans certificate, which allows you to sign off this inspection. This reparimens cert applys ONLY to your airplane, no others.

If you buy a hombuilt which is finished, you must get an A&P to do the "condition" ispection.

Otherwise you can do all the rest of the work yourself, useing whatever parts you see fit.
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:yeahthat:

I own an experimental...

The rule is, ANYONE can do maintenance, modification, or repair on an aircraft with an experimental airworthiness certificate... and that means anyone... you, your brother, your cousin, the bum on the side of the road... anyone.

BUT!!!

Like said above, an A&P, the holder of the repairman certificate for that airplane (the 51% builder) has to do the Annual Condition Inspection to certifiy the airplane is "in condition for safe operation".

If you own an E-LSA you can take the 16 hour FAA course (like I did) to get your Repairman - Light Sport Inspection Certificate and can perform your own Annual Condition Inspection on an E-LSA you own
 
Ya, I would end up wanting to build my own experimental if I did anything. This wouldn't be for years but I was just curious if I was the builder, if they would allow me to repair them. Thanks for the help.

Grabo172, just curious what kind of experimental you have and if you built it yourself?
 
I've got an E-LSA Kolb Firestar. Single seat, Rotax 447. I cruise at an eye popping 65 MPH!

<----------it's the plane in my Avatar

I wasn't the builder, but I have made a few modifications (minor) like adding a magnetic compass, hydraulic brakes, and a cabin heat system...
 
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