Just Exactly How Exactly Do We Have To Build The LSA... Exactly?

[Geico266]

We all know the E-LSA RV-12's we are building are suposed to be "clones" of the factory S-LSA and the ones we build have to be "exactly" the same.

Okay, what does this mean...exactly?

Can we use a different prop?

Can we use a different paint? Color? Do tyhey all have to be red?

Does anyone really know yet...exactly?

Mel, do you have any DAR guildance on this yet?

 

[MartySantic]

See my blog for one answer to your question which was written by Joe Norris, Senior Aviation Specialist at the EAA.

 

[Mel]

We all know the E-LSA RV-12's we are building are suposed to be "clones" of the factory S-LSA and the ones we build have to be "exactly" the same.

Okay, what does this mean...exactly?

Can we use a different prop? NO!

Can we use a different paint? Color? YES! Unless VAN specifies a color in the plans.

Does anyone really know yet...exactly? YES!

Mel, do you have any DAR guildance on this yet? YES!

You CAN use different color. You may NOT use a different prop!
Yes, We do have specific guidance.

 

[Geico266]

Interesting! Thanks Marty!

Looks like we can add wheel pants and auto pilot, just to name a few mods?

 

[Geico266]

You CAN use different color. You may NOT use a different prop!
Yes, We do have specific guidance.

So as soon as we get the AW cert we can mod it up? All I would like to add is leg fairings & wheel plants, and an AP.

 

[Mel]

YEP!

After certification, it's your baby. You can do any modifications you want as long as it doesn't take the aircraft out of the light-sport parameters. If you do that, your airworthiness certificate is no longer valid and cannot be restored.

 

[Geico266]

After certification, it's your baby. You can do any modifications you want as long as it doesn't take the aircraft out of the light-sport parameters. If you do that, your airworthiness certificate is no longer valid and cannot be restored.

Whoa. So if I add wheel pants & leg fairings that would not throw it out of LSA? Obviously, it should be faster / more efficient.

 

[RBD]

Whoa. So if I add wheel pants & leg fairings that would not throw it out of LSA? Obviously, it should be faster / more efficient.

I would think that this would "take the aircraft out of the light-sport parameters."

Speed restrictions and such.

 

[Phyrcooler]

Not necessarily

Whoa. So if I add wheel pants & leg fairings that would not throw it out of LSA? Obviously, it should be faster / more efficient.

The max continuous cruise on the RV-12 is reported as 131 MPH... which is 7 below max. I don't think that you'll get 7 kts. with pants/fairings. It is a slower craft, and if my understanding is correct, you received less benefit cleaning up a slower aircraft. That is one reason why flush rivets make little difference on an LSA. I think that pants/fairings will just bring us closer to the max allowable of 120 kt/138 mph - but I don't think it'll be over.

My 2 cents...
DJ

 

[pierre smith]

Ahem, Larry....

Whoa. So if I add wheel pants & leg fairings that would not throw it out of LSA? Obviously, it should be faster / more efficient.

.....SSHH!!

Have fun,