On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 17:59:52 -0500, "Netgeek" wrote:

I have not seen a definitive description as to what can be done in the way
of modifications to either "Special -LSA" or "Experimental -LSA" vs.
"Experimental - Amateur Built". It seems that S-LSA cannot be modified by
the owner/operator without the manufacturer's approval - Is this the
equivalent of obtaining an "STC" (but issued by the manufacturer instead of
the FAA)?

What about "Experimental - LSA"? Can the owner/operator make significant
modifications without the approval of the manufacturer - as is the case with
the "Experimental - Amateur Built" and still be "legal" according to the
type certificate issued?

SLSAs (Special LSA, the production aircraft) must be maintained in strict
accordance to the manufacturer's instructions, including performing only those
modifications that the manufacturer approves and making all changes the
manufacturer later specifies.

However, if an owner does not WISH to maintain his aircraft to the
manufacturer's requirements, the owner can change the aircraft to Experimental
LSA. I haven't got a good read, yet, on what limitations for changes (if any)
are placed on ELSA-category aircraft. You obviously don't have to conform to
the consensus standard, but I'm not sure if "anything goes" or not.

Other than former "fat" ultralights converted to ELSA, you are not likely to see
too many ELSA aircraft for a while. The designs must first be certificated as
Special Light Sport before they can be sold as ELSA kits.

Here's why I'm asking - I would like to develop and test several
avionics/autopilot/flight-control products and I will need a test-bed
aircraft in order to do this. The amateur-built category doesn't seem to
apply because this isn't just for personal education, etc. - there's a clear
commercial intent and application.

The Experimental/Amateur-Built category requires that the *construction* be
undertaken for recreation or education. It does not require that the plane be
operated solely for recreation or education...other than the limitation against
commercial operation.

So you can't hire someone to build an Experimental/Amateur-Built RV-7A for your
company to use as a test bed. But you can put down the money and buy a used
one, and use *it* for your test bed. In that case, you'd just need an A&P
mechanic to perform the annual condition inspection...which would include
whether your experimental hardware are safe for flight.

What should I be looking for? A certificated aircraft with some
waivers/permits, etc. or an experimental?

You can buy a Cessna 172 and put it into the Experimental/Research and
Development category. It's more paperwork-intensive (the airworthiness
certificate will have to be renewed every year, and only required crews are
allowed onboard) but if you're going for the certificated-aircraft market (as
opposed to marketing strictly to homebuilts) you'll have to take this step at
some point, anyway.

Ron Wanttaja