I had one NORDO in VMC while VFR on the one day didn?t bring my handheld backup. I was coming in to a towered airport under the Class B. I squawked 7600 and took the light signal. I went to the tower afterward to be sure they had no issues. They said it livened up their day and were thrilled to actually use the light gun once. Only screw up by me was rolling through 7500 on the transponder momentarily while shifting from 1200 to 7600. They said PHX Approach woke up with that!

Scott,

My ELSA RV-12 received it?s AW certificate in March 2012. My operating limits allow night and IFR operations if equipped. I got an email from my DAR clarifying that IFR is authorized for my aircraft if I decide to install the equipment needed to meet FARs and do the required pitot static system test.

Rich

I've read that Rotax's operating instructions prohibit the use of a Rotax engine at night or in IFR conditions unless it is the FAA type-certificated engine, i.e the 912iSc. I didn't think RV-12 used the certified engine, but in the POH it states night flight is allowed if equiped with optional lighting? The POH also states: "Flight in IFR/IMC conditions is prohibited."

That document is informational its not regulatory, that?s the FAA?s job.

The regulatory part is in the FARs and the Operating Limits that are currently being issued under FAA Order 8130-2J. If you are an S-LSA (and only an S-LSA) you will be issued Op-limit #6 requiring you to follow the POH;

(6) This aircraft may only be operated per the manufacturer?s aircraft operating instructions (AOI)[aka POH], including any requirement for necessary operating equipment specified in the aircraft?s equipment list. Night flight and instrument flight rules (IFR) operations are authorized if allowed by the AOI and if the instruments specified in ? 91.205 are installed, operational, and maintained per the applicable requirements of part 91.

If you are an E-LSA you will NOT be issued Op-limit #6.

Also, as Rich noted above, an E-LSA may also be issued op-limit 49;

(49) Instrument flight operations are authorized if the instruments specified in ? 91.205(d) are installed, operational, compliant with the performance requirements of, and maintained per the applicable regulations. All maintenance or inspection of this equipment must be recorded in the aircraft maintenance records and include the following items: date, work performed, and name and certificate number of person returning aircraft to service.

Bingo!
Thank you for underscoring that for us. . :)

Just checked my ELSA OLs and found another requirement in Item 19 which should settle any doubts:

?When filing IFR, the experimental nature of this aircraft must be listed in the remarks section of the flight plan.?

Which means . . . ?

Cool, thanks for the education! :)

Well, Driftdown, ?m not a lawyer and I don?t play one on TV, but I assume any self respecting bureaucrat would be satisfied with: ?This aircraft is an experimental light sport aircraft?. Any Perry Mason?s out there wish to render a pro-bono legal opinion?😜

Rich

Okay . . . thanks Rich. Sounds about right to me.;)