"Marc J. Zeitlin" wrote in message
...
Al wrote:

So could I, a single engine land pilot, get into my flying boat
homebuilt and proceed to do water landings?

Not legally. You would need a Single engine Sea rating.

This is not correct.

Per FAR 61.31 (k) (2) (iii) (B), the restrictions for Category, Class, and
Type ratings do NOT apply to experimental aircraft, as long as no
passengers are being carried. To carry passengers, you'd need the rating.

It might be stupid, but it's legal (when solo).

--
Marc J. Zeitlin
http://www.cozybuilders.org/
Copyright (c) 2006


That particular exemption ONLY applies to aircraft in the Experimental
category and was written in to allow anyone to testfly a new aircraft that
required a type rating! Clearly no one can obtain a type rating in the
aircraft without flying it so the first time it is flown it must be flown by
a pilot without the proper rating. :-) Of course, when they placed "amateur
built" aircraft into the experimental category that exemption applied to
them also.

As a result you can fly solo in any homebuilt regardless of type, category,
or class ratings. However, you MUST have the appropriate rating to carry
passengers and they PREFER you have an appropriate rating for the solo
flights and test flights if it is feasible to do so.

In other words, you COULD build a four engine flying boat and fly it solo
with only a SEL rating on your ticket. But everyone from the FAA to the
insurance company would be much happier if it was test flown by a pilot with
a MES on his certificate somewhere! :-)

Highflyer
Highflight Aviation Services
Pinckneyville Airport ( PJY )