On Mon, 13 Sep 2004 06:36:04 +0000 (UTC), Andrew Tubbiolo
wrote:

Del Rawlins wrote:

I wrote ....

What's involved in getting a cirt for your own design? What would stop
me from basing a design on the C-172? How different must it be to escape
copyright infringment?

Besides, if you were to go this route you would basically have to
disassemble completely a 172 in order to duplicate the parts, and at
that point it would be easier to just restore the 172.

I would need to be a cirtificated A & P to do this right? I've
considered it. Would refurbing a manufactured airframe be another route to
a repairmans license?

If you use the existing 172 parts as templates for new parts, you can build
your own "scratchbuilt" 172. If you can get the FAA to agree that you
performed at least 51% of the tasks required to build the aircraft, you
will be able to license it as Experimental/Amateur-Built. In this case,
you will be able to do all maintenance and can receive the Repairman
Certificate to allow you to perform the annual inspection.

If, instead, you decide to restore a 172, you may do all the work, but your
work must be supervised by a licensed A&P who is willing to be legally
responsible for your work. The aircraft remains in the Standard
airworthiness category, thus the annual inspection must be performed by an
A&P with an Inspection Authorization (IA).

You will have no maintenance rights on the aircraft beyond those granted to
any aircraft owner (i.e., minor preventative maintenance only, and work
performed under supervision of an A&P). You cannot receive a Repairman
Certificate for that aircraft. However, the restoration process will count
towards the practical experience required for an A&P license.


Ron Wanttaja