Van's Air Force
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FAA's definition of Major Modification?
- Thread starter dspender
- Start date
Raymo
Well Known Member
Paint is not a major modification but you should re-balance flight controls afterward.
Mike Busch recently did a webinar on this topic.
Mike Busch recently did a webinar on this topic.
rleffler
Well Known Member
Your local FSDO should be able to answer any questions like this. There is a PDF on faa.gov that lists both telephone numbers and appropriate email accounts for each FSDO.
and no, painting is not a major modification. On a RV-10, that would be changing the prop or engine, or deciding that you want to use RV-7 wings instead.
Weasel
Well Known Member
Amen! based on experience
KRviator
Well Known Member
Well, no, not really. What is acceptable to one FSDO may not be acceptable to another, which runs the risk of causing problems down the line and while trying to please the FAA or CAsA is always a good idea, education "sometimes" works too.
The actual rule is 14 CFR 21.93 (a) that says "In addition to changes in type design specified in paragraph (b) of this section, changes in type design are classified as minor and major. A “minor change” is one that has no appreciable effect on the weight, balance, structural strength, reliability, operational characteristics, or other characteristics affecting the airworthiness of the product. All other changes are “major changes” (except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section)."
From their own AC, if it is likely to have a significant effect on:
- Weight
- Balance
- Structural Strength
- Performance
- Powerplant operation
- Flight characteristics
- Other qualities affecting airworthiness
