Converting a USA C of A from Standard to Experimental

Rob,

I found the process of taking my ASW-19b to an Experimental TC to be
easy.

I called the local FSO, and talked with a real gentleman in the
Airworthiness Branch. He asked me to fill out an 8130-6 form and
provide a program letter, then he came out to verify that the aircraft
existed, had a logbook, had Experimental placards, had a current
Condition Inspection, and its serial number matched the paperwork. It
took 10 minutes to complete. To me, the conversion was worth the
effort because I could legally put on winglets and a lifting
instrument panel, and inspections could now be done by an A&P without
IA.

The only "hassles" are (a) once a year you have to send a new program
letter in to your local FSDO, listing places you are going to be
exhibiting/racing, (b) if you fly it outside of the 300 nm
"proficiency area" centered on your home base you have to fax where
you're planning to fly, (c) you have to avoid flying over populated
areas, (d) you have to announce to a towered airport that you are
experimental, and (e) you can't use the ship commercially. Other than
that, you simply make proficiency flights, like with any other
glider.

Going back to Standard TC involves the same process - an 8130-6, an
annual inspection by an A&P (with IA), remove the Experimental
placards. The gotcha is that they want to be certain that it's in the
condition certified by the manufacturer. I'm sure this would be
involved, although I've never done it. Frankly, I cannot imagine why
you would ever want to - look at the hassle that the folks in Europe
are having with EASA!

-John

On Dec 2, 11:57 pm, RAS56 wrote:
New forum member, glad I found this resource!

I'm in the midst of purchasing an ASW-19 that has a Standard C of
A...and am mulling over (because of some of the
projects/instrumentation/maintenance/etc) if it would be beneficial to
convert the certificate over to Experimental.

If the conversion is possible:

1. How much of a hassle was/is it?

2. Was the conversion worth the effort or are the FAA requirements
onerous?

3. How difficult would it be to put the genie back in the bottle (go
back to Standard) if needed?

4. Who do I talk to at the FAA to accomplish this and what's needed in
the way of paperwork?

5. Anything else to make me smarter on this topic?

I tried to search this forum for the answer, but only found topics about
going from Experimental to Standard. If there is a thread out there that
covers "going the other way" a link to it would save typing and be much
appreciated!

Thanks,

Rob S.