hotrod150 wrote:dirtstrip wrote:....the rules for E-LSA from a certified kit would require that an individual could only build that Carbon Cub to be an exact copy of the factory certified one. No changes would be allowed during construction that are not approved by the manufacturer. Not one change in the radio selection or engines or even in the type epoxy is allowed. Bummer. But..no 51% requirement and after the Carbon Cub passes the final inspection by the FAA then you can make any of those changes and its allowed to stay in the Experimental Light Sport class as long as the other weight, hp etc. rules for the class are not violated.........
As a third option, if you started by buying a factory built certified Carbon Cub, even though it is a certified aircraft it can be de-certified and modified as either of the two planes above. .........
It is my understanding that if you build one certified as an E-LSA, you must get approval from the mfr for any changes. Ditto for an S-LSA. Never heard of this "decertifying" from S-LSA or E-LSA status.
I got all of that info from the same source.
http://www.kitplanes.com/sportplanes/0505-3740.pdfLast article in the series. I did take liberty with the word "decertify" to make the point of comparing this to modifying a "regular certified" aircraft as it accomplishes the same thing of making a "transition" from regular certified aircraft to EAB status. In these sport pilot categories it is allowed according to the article. The "transition" process requires only an the FAA sign off followed by flying off a test period following the mods as would be required with any other Amateur Built. One other "feature" unmentioned in the article is the wallet hit of lost resale from taking the factory built certified aircraft out of SLSA and giving up the certification (transitioning) to go ELSA.. yet again freedom comes at a price.
"The SLSA to ELSA Transition:
There is an interesting feature in the
ELSA rules. As noted above, the owner
of an existing SLSA can transition his
or her plane to ELSA. This means you
can buy a ready-to-fl y aircraft, apply
for an ELSA certifi cate, and, once it is
received, you can do nearly anything
you want.
Want an auto-engine airplane but
don’t want to spend years building an
Ex/AB machine? Buy an SLSA, switch
to an ELSA certifi cate, pull the installed
engine, and put in your favorite Subaru
or Honda. You’ll need the FAA signoff
and have to fl y off a test period, and,
of course, the plane must still meet the
basic LSA defi nition.
That’s probably the most interest-
ing thing about ELSA: If you take the LS-I
course, you’ll have the same freedoms
as an Ex/AB builder without having to
actually build an aircraft! Buy a ready-
to-fl y plane, convert it to ELSA (if it isn’t
already), then do all your own mainte-
nance and inspections and modify it to
match your needs..."
.
