Originally Posted by Dave12 View Post
Scott, the A/P can sign off either ELSA or SLSA. No Rotax specific training required, but some experience with them would be helpful.
E-LSA this is correct... for S-LSA it is not.
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The ASTM's require and give the authority to the manufacturer to specify what level of certification or training is required to do any maint or repair function on their product. That is why the RV-12 maint manual has certification levels listed with all of the procedures listed.
Rotaxs' documentation specifies a specific level of training for every maint or repair process (even oil change).
An E-LSA RV-12 owner is not bound by those requirements because it is an experimental aircraft, though it could be a factor in a warrantee claim if the person doing preventative maint doesn't have the preventative maint specific training (RFSC Rotax 912 Service Specialty training).
So for E-LSA, the only requirement to meet is that stipulated in the operating limitations for who can do the condition inspection (A&P or LSA Repairman Inspector).
For S-LSA, all engine work must be done by someone with the minimum level of FAA required certification (LSA Repairman Maintenance or A&P) and the proper level of Rotax Specific Training.
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Hi Dave,
The FAA came out in writing a couple of years back on Rotax training.
They said Rotax could not force anyone to take their training to be able to work on the Rotax. Rotax can not impose any rules or regs above what the FAA has in place or make policy.The but here was they went on to say that mechanics had to have training, have the manuals and have the proper tools for that engine. So mechanics in the FAA's eyes still need Rotax training, but it can come from anyone. I get hired from time to time by shops to come and train their staff. That in the FAA's eyes qualifies. Do all the mechanics follow this, no, but if a plane crashes the FAA is going to ask the mechanic where he learned to work on a Rotax. That will definitely up his liability if he says he has never had any training. A&P's get Cont. and Lycoming training.
A sport pilot may work on his plane as described under the preventive maint. section in the FAR's that GA pilots work under. You can only do this to your plane. You can not do any thing to an SLSA past preventative maint. unless you are an LSRM-A or A&P as usually specified in the aircraft's manual.
As an ELSA anyone (trunk monkey included) can do the work on the plane. At the annual condition only an LSRM-A, A&P or someone that has had the 16 hr. FAA approved class can do the annual or 100 hr inspection.
Scott is also right that the aircraft MFG can specify who works on the aircraft provided they do not exceed their authority when doing so. During a Rotax warranty claim Rotax can specify a Rotax qualified mechanic do the work depending on what the work is. If it is minor they may not care, but major work has to be an authorized mechanic.
Many LSA MFG's put things in manuals, but the one document that really counts is the POH and that is where some MFG's fall down and don't included enough. It may be in some other manual, but it may not have any teeth for enforcement.
