Documenting minor changes (E-LSA)

[RandomSquawk]

Could someone please point me to a definitive article or discussion with concrete examples of acceptable documentation for minor alterations (post-cert) to an E-LSA? There is an awesome pinned discussion of E-LSA modifications, but I'm struggling to find much concerning how to adequately document such changes. Searches (here and elsewhere) either turn up nothing when I combine "document" and "alteration", or completely ignore important clarifications like "E-LSA" and overwhelm me with irrelevant references to certified aircraft. So far all I have are generalizations that a log entry is required; and some indication that the KAI should be amended. How much is enough? Discussion is helpful, but actual examples are better. Thanks for you help.

 

[j4cbo]

I'm not aware of any authoritative articles, but my understanding is that for an E-LSA post-certification, the rules are exactly the same as for an E-AB. For example, FAR 43.1(b)(1) excludes "any aircraft for which the FAA has issued an experimental certificate, unless the FAA has previously issued a different kind of airworthiness certificate for that aircraft" (which describes any E-AB and any kit-built E-LSA); a factory-built S-LSA converted to E-LSA is similarly excluded by FAR 43.1(b)(2). I'm not aware of any FAR applicable to maintenance on experimental aircraft that distinguishes between the various subtypes of experimental.

The other place to look is your operating limitations, though. They probably have language like this:

All maintenance or inspection of this equipment must be recorded in the aircraft maintenance records and include the following items: date, work performed, and name and certificate number of person returning aircraft to service.

... which is a standard operating limitation for E-AB, E-LSA, and several other kinds of experimental.

 

[bshawco]

I'm not aware of any authoritative articles, but my understanding is that for an E-LSA post-certification, the rules are exactly the same as for an E-AB. For example, FAR 43.1(b)(1) excludes "any aircraft for which the FAA has issued an experimental certificate, unless the FAA has previously issued a different kind of airworthiness certificate for that aircraft" (which describes any E-AB and any kit-built E-LSA); a factory-built S-LSA converted to E-LSA is similarly excluded by FAR 43.1(b)(2). I'm not aware of any FAR applicable to maintenance on experimental aircraft that distinguishes between the various subtypes of experimental.

The other place to look is your operating limitations, though. They probably have language like this:

... which is a standard operating limitation for E-AB, E-LSA, and several other kinds of experimental.

My understanding is that an E-LSA must initially be built exactly as specified in the plans. Only AFTER certification (and presumably after test phase is completed,) can ANY modification, no matter how minor be made. I've seen several references to this requirement in this forum and others.

 

[j4cbo]

My understanding is that an E-LSA must initially be built exactly as specified in the plans. Only AFTER certification (and presumably after test phase is completed,) can ANY modification, no matter how minor be made. I've seen several references to this requirement in this forum and others.

No modifications can be made before certification of an E-LSA, yes (which is why I said "for an E-LSA post-certification"), because of FAR 21.191(i)(2)(ii) "In accordance with manufacturer's assembly instructions that meet an applicable consensus standard".

I believe that modifications are allowed after the airworthiness certificate is granted, even during the Phase 1 test period - haven't seen anything that would say otherwise.