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  #1  
Old 04-06-2014, 12:48 PM
BAYJK BAYJK is offline
 
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Location: Vacaville, CA
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Smile 51% rule?

Hello everybody. I am a new member to this forum and I have what may be a dumb question. I looked through the forum but I don't see it addressed. Question: If the RV-12 does NOT have to meet the FAA's 51% rule, if I build one myself, can I do all of the maintenance on it like any other experimental aircraft that I might have built?

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Last edited by BAYJK : 04-06-2014 at 01:10 PM. Reason: add name
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  #2  
Old 04-06-2014, 01:06 PM
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Any one can do maint. or repairs on an experimental aircraft. The only certification required is for doing the annual condition inspection.
For E-LSA, you can acquire that by taking a 16 hr training course
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  #3  
Old 04-06-2014, 01:15 PM
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Btw, welcome to the forum.
There is a lot of info in the forum related to yor question....
The challenge is finding it...
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  #4  
Old 04-06-2014, 01:20 PM
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N941WR N941WR is offline
 
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You have an option with the RV-12. You can license it as an E-AB or E-LSA. If you go the Experimental - Amateur Built route, then it is no different than the other RV's with regard to the builder being able to do the maintenance.

If you go the Experimental - Light Sport Aircraft route, then a licensed mechanic must do the maintenance. The good news is, you can get licensed by attending a class, as described above.
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  #5  
Old 04-06-2014, 01:24 PM
BAYJK BAYJK is offline
 
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I know that when you build an experimental aircraft, say an RV-7, since you built 51% of it, the FAA issues you, as builder, a special mechanics license or permit to do any and all maintenance on THAT one aircraft. From what I'm reading in this forum, this is NOT the case with the RV-12? I realize that Vans sells a factory built RV-12 that is obviously built more than 51% by the factory, but if I build one from a kit, does it fall under the 51% rule? Or must I, as builder, still attend one of these 16 hour classes? Thanks.


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  #6  
Old 04-06-2014, 01:26 PM
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Default Welcome to VAF!

Jim, welcome to VAF
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Old 04-06-2014, 01:31 PM
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Thanks everybody.


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  #8  
Old 04-06-2014, 02:35 PM
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The RV-12 may be built either as an experimental amateur-built or an experimental light-sport aircraft.

As already stated by rvbuilder2002, anyone can perform maintenance on an experimental amateur-built or experimental light-sport aircraft. The repairman certificate only allows one to sign off the condition inspection.

For EAB aircraft one only needs to show qualifications to obtain the certificate.

For ELSA, one must attend a 16 hr course to obtain the certificate.
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Last edited by Mel : 04-06-2014 at 02:39 PM.
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  #9  
Old 04-06-2014, 05:20 PM
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Yesssss, Bill R. Made a typo above. If you either BUILD or BUY an ELSA RV-12 YOU can do all of the maintenance AND all of the post-licensed mods that you want. The only thing you CANNOT do is sign off on the annual condition inspection. You obtain that right by going to the 16 hour course, whether you BUY or BUILD. It is a bit surprising and different than EAB. The 51% rule has no relevance to building an ELSA, you can get all the help you want or even legally pay someone to build all or part of it.

IF you BUILD an RV12 as EAB, (and this is somewhat uncommon, in the US, usually involving the desire for a different engine or to use a used ROTAX) then the RV12 kit has been certified as 51% qualified. So you as builder would qualify for the certificate to sign off on the annual condition inspection for that particular plane, like any EAB. You can also do ALL maintenance yourself.

If you BUY an RV12 that was licensed as EAB it is just like any other EAB. You can do ALL maintenance and mods on it yourself (!) but you can never sign off on the annual condition inspection unless you have a maintenance rating that is a lot more than the 16 hour ELSA course!
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Old 04-06-2014, 08:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill_H View Post
Yesssss, Bill R. Made a typo above. If you either BUILD or BUY an ELSA RV-12 YOU can do all of the maintenance AND all of the post-licensed mods that you want. The only thing you CANNOT do is sign off on the annual condition inspection. You obtain that right by going to the 16 hour course, whether you BUY or BUILD. It is a bit surprising and different than EAB. The 51% rule has no relevance to building an ELSA, you can get all the help you want or even legally pay someone to build all or part of it.

IF you BUILD an RV12 as EAB, (and this is somewhat uncommon, in the US, usually involving the desire for a different engine or to use a used ROTAX) then the RV12 kit has been certified as 51% qualified. So you as builder would qualify for the certificate to sign off on the annual condition inspection for that particular plane, like any EAB. You can also do ALL maintenance yourself.

If you BUY an RV12 that was licensed as EAB it is just like any other EAB. You can do ALL maintenance and mods on it yourself (!) but you can never sign off on the annual condition inspection unless you have a maintenance rating that is a lot more than the 16 hour ELSA course!
That pretty much covers it (and is way more than I was willing to try and type in my other post since I was using my phone)
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Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.

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Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
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