john smith wrote...
He is going to have to get the aircraft IFR certified either by the FAA
or a DER.

Interesting. My RV-4 operating limitations, written by a DAR
and approved by the FAA, say only that my airplane
is prohibited from flight under IFR unless suitably
equipped. When it's suitably equipped it's not prohibited.
All it takes is a radio swap, a pitot-static check, and a
transponder check. My PS and transponder check are current,
my avionics are not.

Dave 'goo' Hyde