changing operating limitations

Scott wrote:
I think that all you have to do to make your "Lycoming" into a "pittss1c
Super Advanced Powerplant" is to remove the dataplate from the engine
and attach one made by you. It is now uncertified and you would be free
to do what you want with it.

That was my take on it... If they ask too many questions tell them you
have modified chevy rods in it

There are some designs that were made LSA-legal by reproping. The thing
is, they were just a few knots off... the RV3 is like 50Kts over, isn't
it?

Personally, I suspect that such a plane would be a troublemaker. By
putting a grossly wrong prop on it or swapping out the engine you may
create a legally LSA-compliant plane... but people know what an RV3 is.
When you say "LSA-legal" they are going to say "prove it".

Other than that... is the listed stall speed clean? LSA says 45Kt Vs1
(no flaps).

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 15:19:54 -0500, pittss1c
wrote:

Is it possible to change the operating limitations of your homebuilt
after it has been certified?
Let me take the more extreme case...
I was wondering, if one owned (or bought) an RV3, is it possible to
change the operating limitiations to have a red line of 120 knots, and a
maximum continous RPM that arrives at a speed or 120 knots?

Yes, you can go through the process and change the operating
limitations of a home built.

This would potentially make it fit as a sport pilot airplane (when flown
within the operating limitations)

NO, Any airplane once outside the sport pilot limitations can *never*
be brought in, or back in if it had been there before.

Technically you could initially build the plane with an engine and
propeller combination that would put it in the sport pilot category,
but you can not modify the very same make and model to fit the sport
category if at any time it's operating limitations would have put it
beyond the sport plane limitations.

I don't know how many other ways to phrase it, but once outside the
category, it will remain so forever.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com


Mike

In order for an aircraft to qualify as a LSA the aircraft must have met
the limitations of LSA continuously since its original certification.
You can not take a non qualifying aircraft and re-certify it as
qualifying. I am pretty sure that statements to this effect are written
in the LSA regulations.

In a word NO! The key word is continuously operated with operating limits
at or less than the prescribed limits for LSA. Must be correctly done at the
end of the test period.

--
Cy Galley
EAA Safety Programs Editor
Always looking for ideas and articles for EAA Sport Pilot


"pittss1c" wrote in message
...
Is it possible to change the operating limitations of your homebuilt after
it has been certified?
Let me take the more extreme case...
I was wondering, if one owned (or bought) an RV3, is it possible to change
the operating limitiations to have a red line of 120 knots, and a maximum
continous RPM that arrives at a speed or 120 knots?
This would potentially make it fit as a sport pilot airplane (when flown
within the operating limitations)


Mike

"pittss1c" wrote in message
...
Is it possible to change the operating limitations of your homebuilt after
it has been certified?
Let me take the more extreme case...
I was wondering, if one owned (or bought) an RV3, is it possible to change
the operating limitiations to have a red line of 120 knots, and a maximum
continous RPM that arrives at a speed or 120 knots?
This would potentially make it fit as a sport pilot airplane (when flown
within the operating limitations)

Mike..........

Unless I'm greatly mistaken, neither RPM nor airspeed limits are contained
in the Operating Limitations of an Experimental, Amateur-built aircraft.

Rich S.

Rich S. wrote:
"pittss1c" wrote in message
...

Is it possible to change the operating limitations of your homebuilt after
it has been certified?
Let me take the more extreme case...
I was wondering, if one owned (or bought) an RV3, is it possible to change
the operating limitiations to have a red line of 120 knots, and a maximum
continous RPM that arrives at a speed or 120 knots?
This would potentially make it fit as a sport pilot airplane (when flown
within the operating limitations)


Mike..........

Unless I'm greatly mistaken, neither RPM nor airspeed limits are contained
in the Operating Limitations of an Experimental, Amateur-built aircraft.

Rich S.


Not sure if it is true, but my understanding was that the instrument
markings were required as the operating limitations.

"Rich S." wrote

Unless I'm greatly mistaken, neither RPM nor airspeed limits are contained
in the Operating Limitations of an Experimental, Amateur-built aircraft.

True, but if it is being flown by a sport pilot, it has to meet the
limitations.
--
Jim in NC

"Morgans" wrote in message
...

"Rich S." wrote

Unless I'm greatly mistaken, neither RPM nor airspeed limits are
contained
in the Operating Limitations of an Experimental, Amateur-built aircraft.

True, but if it is being flown by a sport pilot, it has to meet the
limitations.

This time I was trying a direct answer to his question. The Operating
Limitations (Big "O" Big "P") do not cover speed or rpm. Gauge markings are
covered elsewhere as well. The one thing I (we?) do not want to appear as,
is a beanery lawyer. I have no training in Federal Law other than Fire and
building Codes. The one thing I did learn is when it ends up in court, it's
a whole new ball game. We don't want to go there.

Rich "It's a whole lot easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission." S.

pittss1c wrote:
Is it possible to change the operating limitations of your homebuilt
after it has been certified?
Let me take the more extreme case...
I was wondering, if one owned (or bought) an RV3, is it possible to
change the operating limitiations to have a red line of 120 knots, and a
maximum continous RPM that arrives at a speed or 120 knots?
This would potentially make it fit as a sport pilot airplane (when flown
within the operating limitations)


Mike

Or just wait till Van comes out with a new LSA compliant RV:-)

Jerry