[ergie63]

...Also as a consequence of this tipping point is that "certifying" piston singles is a dying concept. While its true that regulations benefit the regulated because the regulations act as a barrier to entry and drive out weaker competition, kit plane technology has shattered that barrier. Lets face it, there are no more Buck Rogers moments in piston singles. That which makes aircraft "safe" is no longer a mystery. If certification does not enhance safety, does not create a barrier to entry, and does not innoculate against the lawsuit menace, then it is pointless.

When Cessna realized how much it would cost to certify their 182replacement, perhaps it was they who started "prodding the bear". A pessimist would fear for the 51% rule as we know it. An optimist would anticipate the adoption of conensus standards for all piston singles.

I had no idea. Apparently there already is a way to build planes with any degree of completion, even 100%, to ATSM (concensus) standards called the Primay Category. The category been around since the 1980's when the certified airframers were either getting or going out of the business and kit aircraft were hitting a stride. There are limitations in performance (piston single) and construction probably akin to (or the source of the notion of) the RV-12 being built as either E-LSA vs. E-AB.

In the June 2008 issue of Kitplanes (Around the Patch - Marc Cook) Van was quoted, "...there's a lot of merit..." and "...we would definitely look..." at producing aircraft completed beyond 51%. Wow. If Van's were to knock out complete or nearly complete RV-10s and the cost differential were substantial enough, then the business model held by existing certified planemakers would be up for serious review.