I need to correct some mis-information I provided a few people at OSH.
The RV-12 is old enough now that I haven't been in the ASTM's for quite a while, and had forgotten some of the details. Rian Johnson has, because he is on the ASTM committee, so I got some clarification during a conversation we just had while talking about our plan to introduce a flight training version of the RV-12 that flight schools could use to provide inexpensive advanced training (IFR).
The short answer is that even though there is nothing in the FAR's or LSA operating limitations that prohibit it, an E-LSA or S-LSA RV-12 can't be used for flight in actual IFR conditions because of limitations written into the ASTM they are certified under.
The current applicable ASTM states the following.....
9. Operating Limitations and Information
9.1 Markings and Placards:
9.1.1 General:
9.1.1.1 The airplane must contain the markings and placards
specified within this section and any additional information,
instrument markings, and placards required for safe operation
if it has unusual design, operating, or handling characteristics.
9.1.1.2 Each marking and placard prescribed in this section
must be displayed in a conspicuous place and may not be easily
erased, disfigured, or obscured.
9.1.1.3 The units of measurement used on placards must be
the same as those used on the corresponding equipment.
9.1.1.4 The placards and marking information in this section
must be furnished in the Pilot?s Operating Handbook.
9.1.1.5 Language and Localization?The language used in
markings and placards may be adjusted to accommodate
language and localization concerns. For example, the word
?aeroplane? may be substituted for the word ?airplane?.
9.1.2 Instrument Markings:
9.1.2.1 When markings are on an instrument cover, there
must be means to maintain the correct alignment of the cover
with the face of the instrument.
9.1.2.2 Markings must be large enough to be clearly visible
to the pilot.
9.1.2.3 Airspeed Indicator?Each airspeed indicator must
be marked at the corresponding indicated airspeed as follows:
(1) Flap Operating Range?A continuous white marker
with the lower limit at VS0 established under 4.4.1 and the
upper limit at VFE. For airplanes without flaps, this marker is
not required.
(2) Normal Operating Range?A continuous green marker
with the lower limit at VS established under 4.4.1 and the upper
limit at VC established under 5.2.4.3.
(3) Caution Range?A continuous yellow marker extending from upper limit of the green marker specified in Item 2
(above) to the VNE line specified in Item 4 (below).
(4) Never Exceed Speed, VNE?A red line perpendicular to
the movement direction of the indicator.
9.1.3 Pilot Warning?A placard that specifies the kinds of
operation to which the airplane is limited or from which it is
prohibited and that the airplane is to be operated according to
the limitations in the Pilot?s Operating Handbook. The kinds of
operation specified on the placard must be within the limits
given in 9.2.
9.1.4 Passenger Warning??This aircraft was manufactured
in accordance with Light Sport Aircraft airworthiness standards
and does not conform to standard category airworthiness
requirements.?
9.1.5 Spinning??NO INTENTIONAL SPINS? if applicable (see 4.5.9).
9.1.6 Occupant Safety Restraint System?The occupant restraint system must have a permanent and legible marking
stating compliance with ASTM F2245, the working load rating
(see 6.10.2), and the date of manufacture. The use of approved
safety belts listed in 6.10.2.1, 6.10.2.2, 6.10.2.3, 6.10.2.4,
6.10.2.5, or 6.10.2.6 shall be deemed acceptable.
9.2 Kinds of Operation:
9.2.1 Flight operations are limited to VMC (visual meteorological conditions).
9.2.2 Flight operations in IMC (instrument meteorological
conditions) are prohibited.
This doesn't prohibit training in simulated IFR, but the only legal way (as we currently understand it) to use an RV-12 for actual IFR is if it is built and certified as an E-AB (experimental amateur built), and properly equipped as required by FAR 91.205.
The RV-12 is old enough now that I haven't been in the ASTM's for quite a while, and had forgotten some of the details. Rian Johnson has, because he is on the ASTM committee, so I got some clarification during a conversation we just had while talking about our plan to introduce a flight training version of the RV-12 that flight schools could use to provide inexpensive advanced training (IFR).
The short answer is that even though there is nothing in the FAR's or LSA operating limitations that prohibit it, an E-LSA or S-LSA RV-12 can't be used for flight in actual IFR conditions because of limitations written into the ASTM they are certified under.
The current applicable ASTM states the following.....
9. Operating Limitations and Information
9.1 Markings and Placards:
9.1.1 General:
9.1.1.1 The airplane must contain the markings and placards
specified within this section and any additional information,
instrument markings, and placards required for safe operation
if it has unusual design, operating, or handling characteristics.
9.1.1.2 Each marking and placard prescribed in this section
must be displayed in a conspicuous place and may not be easily
erased, disfigured, or obscured.
9.1.1.3 The units of measurement used on placards must be
the same as those used on the corresponding equipment.
9.1.1.4 The placards and marking information in this section
must be furnished in the Pilot?s Operating Handbook.
9.1.1.5 Language and Localization?The language used in
markings and placards may be adjusted to accommodate
language and localization concerns. For example, the word
?aeroplane? may be substituted for the word ?airplane?.
9.1.2 Instrument Markings:
9.1.2.1 When markings are on an instrument cover, there
must be means to maintain the correct alignment of the cover
with the face of the instrument.
9.1.2.2 Markings must be large enough to be clearly visible
to the pilot.
9.1.2.3 Airspeed Indicator?Each airspeed indicator must
be marked at the corresponding indicated airspeed as follows:
(1) Flap Operating Range?A continuous white marker
with the lower limit at VS0 established under 4.4.1 and the
upper limit at VFE. For airplanes without flaps, this marker is
not required.
(2) Normal Operating Range?A continuous green marker
with the lower limit at VS established under 4.4.1 and the upper
limit at VC established under 5.2.4.3.
(3) Caution Range?A continuous yellow marker extending from upper limit of the green marker specified in Item 2
(above) to the VNE line specified in Item 4 (below).
(4) Never Exceed Speed, VNE?A red line perpendicular to
the movement direction of the indicator.
9.1.3 Pilot Warning?A placard that specifies the kinds of
operation to which the airplane is limited or from which it is
prohibited and that the airplane is to be operated according to
the limitations in the Pilot?s Operating Handbook. The kinds of
operation specified on the placard must be within the limits
given in 9.2.
9.1.4 Passenger Warning??This aircraft was manufactured
in accordance with Light Sport Aircraft airworthiness standards
and does not conform to standard category airworthiness
requirements.?
9.1.5 Spinning??NO INTENTIONAL SPINS? if applicable (see 4.5.9).
9.1.6 Occupant Safety Restraint System?The occupant restraint system must have a permanent and legible marking
stating compliance with ASTM F2245, the working load rating
(see 6.10.2), and the date of manufacture. The use of approved
safety belts listed in 6.10.2.1, 6.10.2.2, 6.10.2.3, 6.10.2.4,
6.10.2.5, or 6.10.2.6 shall be deemed acceptable.
9.2 Kinds of Operation:
9.2.1 Flight operations are limited to VMC (visual meteorological conditions).
9.2.2 Flight operations in IMC (instrument meteorological
conditions) are prohibited.
This doesn't prohibit training in simulated IFR, but the only legal way (as we currently understand it) to use an RV-12 for actual IFR is if it is built and certified as an E-AB (experimental amateur built), and properly equipped as required by FAR 91.205.