LSA's -vs- RV's on annual condition inspection.

[aelkins]

I was reading that this from a fly-in website..
=====quote============
"FAA accepted 16 Hour Repairman Inspection Course."
This course is designed to prepare owners to perfrom annual condition inspections. FAA regulation 65.107 allows the owner of an ELSA to earn a repairman (LSA) Inspection rating by attending an FAA accepted course. Successful completion of the course allows you to perform the annual inspection on any ESLA aircraft that you own now or in the future.
=====end-quote========

Does that mean they can perform the annual inspection, and sign off without the requirement of an A&P inspecting behind them?
Wonder why the FAA doesn't allow the same 16 hour course for RV's (homebuilts) that are purchased, rather than built by the owner?
Are we to believe that LSA's are built so well, that they need less skills to annually inspect?..
Just wondering...

[Mel]

The difference is that with the exception of the "grandfathered aircraft", E-LSA's are built to a "standard". Amateur-builts are not. When you build an E-LSA, it must be built exactly per the plans which were derived from an S-LSA.

[rvbuilder2002]

Originally Posted by Mel

The difference is that with the exception of the "grandfathered aircraft", E-LSA's are built to a "standard". Amateur-builts are not. When you build an E-LSA, it must be built exactly per the plans which were derived from an S-LSA.

And to add more to Mel's post...
And an E-LSA has a maintenance manual and other support documentation (from the S-LSA version) that can be used since it was built from a kit to conform exactly with the S-LSA aircraft.
This is not the case for an experimental - amateur built since the builder who is eligible for the repairman's certificate is already much more familiar with the airplane than any maint. manual could make him. The non builder does not have the familiarity with the airplane from the construction process, and there is no maint. manual or other documentation to help them. Many people even purchase RV's without receiving the plans and manual used to build it. This is the only documentation available for help in long term maintenance and repairs and it should always stay with the airplane.

Please...Anyone considering purchasing an already flying RV...Do not do so unless the seller will provide you with all plans an other documentation that were used to build the airplane. This includes all manuals and install instructions for avionics, instruments, and any other accessory items installed on the airplane.
Couple of examples...
The fuel caps that come in the kit come with instructions on how to adjust and maintain them. They get damaged all the time by unknowing owners or mechanics.
The K&N air filter that comes with the air box kit has very specific maint instructions that A&P mechanics are often not familiar with. If not followed correctly the filter will be damaged.

But the answer to your original question...Yes. If you have passed the 16 hour course you can sign off teh annual condition inspection on an E-LSA aircraft. The course certificate is not required to do any of the maint. or repairs on the airplane. Any pilot can sign those off using his pilot certificate #.