I.M.P.O. AD's do apply to experimental aircraft unless the text of the AD specifically exempts experimental's from its applicability. Service bulletins also apply. I don't see any gray area. I don't know how ECI is able to get away with differentiating between normal and experimental categories in their cylinder dispositions.
To add to the AD / Service Bulletin compliance part:
Every component part of my Mattituck IO-360 has a FAA-PMA stamp on it. The engine is assembled by Mattituck, however, all of the components are ECI. The Mattituck sticker in my logbook states: ?All FAA AD notes applicable to the engine as a whole, the accessories supplied with the engine or any parts or components used in the assembly of the engine have been complied with to date. As of this date, any and all published Service Bulletins or Service Letters, as provided by the manufacturers of the parts or accessories used in the assembly of this engine, have been complied with.?
Obviously, the manufacturer constructed the experimental engine within full compliance of all applicable AD?s, Service Bulletins, etc. Why would an owner of such engine not be compelled to comply with future mandates?
I am obligated to maintain my experimental engine in an airworthy condition. In my opinion, if a future AD was ignored, in the event of an accident involving personal injury, death, and/or property damage, the courts could very well prove negligence. Present case in point would be to ignore the current ECI cylinder AD and then having an accident as a result of non-compliance with the AD.
With respect to the experimental class of engines produced by Lycoming and Continental/Mattituck, these engines are sold at a discount relative to the price of a new certified engine for the following reason: When purchasing a new certified engine from the manufacturer, part of the purchase price includes costs to cover potential contingent liability claims against the company. An experimental engine is sold minus those built-in costs.
In my mind, ?Experimental? does not mean?yippie, no more compliance issues. It means that I own an aviation grade engine, purchased at a discount, subject to future engine, parts, components, and accessory, compliance mandates.
Thank you to all whom highlighted the regulation side of this issue.
Regards,