John D. Abrahms wrote:


Really? What about the canard designs (SC01 Speed Canard, LongEZE,
VariEZE etc)? Are they also normal category?

No, Because Rutan (the designer) did not seek FAA type certification,
and make all of his planes at the factory. Experimental - Amatuer Built
airplanes may meet the performance requirements to be in the aerobatic,
or utility or normal categories, but they have not undergone FAA
certification to do so.

(SNIP)


You CAN use an experimental plane for training. It just cannot be used
for commercial purposes. So, if someone wants to TEACH you for free in
their's or someone elses experimental, they can. THey cannot charge you
rent, and if it was your plane, you couldn't hold the airframe out for
hire. A new exception/waiver that is in place now is that "transition
training" is now available for the Factory and lay CFI's to provide
training in type to prospective and new owners of experimental airplanes


So that means an experimental can't be used commercially except for
providing training to pilots who want to fly such a thing, right? But
this again (sorry) makes me wonder about things like this:

The Jet Warbird Training Center
http://www.jetwarbird.com/
They not only offer type ratings but also general flight time in their
jets, and they also offer "jet orientation flights", which is much
more than just providing training to CFIs and prospective/new owners
of such airplanes. I assume that all of their planes fall into the
experimental category.

I meant to confine my comments about commercial use to "Experimental -
Amatuer Built", not the entire experimental category. I cannot claim the
answer with regards to the whole category.

Or what about the "National Test Pilot School"
http://www.ntps.com/
They provide training for test pilots on several airplanes which for
sure are experimental (i.e. the Saab Draken, the MB326M Impala, the
MS760A Paris Jet, or the NDN1).

I also know that there are some companies that use experimental
airplanes like the Dornier Alpha Jet for flight tests.

I wonder how they can do that?

If there is an FAA rule, there can always be an FAA waiver. If the FAA
chooses to do so. Thats how persons with otherwise disqualifying medical
conditions can be allowed to hold medicals. Thats how aerobatic
performers can do their stuff below 1500 feet and thats how people can
operate turbojets without type ratings. If the FAA feels its the right
thing to do, in their sole opinion, they can waiver the rule.



Thanks for your answers!

JJ

Dave