rv12, classification change

[venutoa]

hey guys is there a way to change the registration classification from "experimental" on rv12 to "light sport" so it can be used for flight school. maybe vans has a program for helping with this.

 

[j4cbo]

No. A kit-built RV-12 can’t be used for a flight school, period; only a factory-built one.

 

[Mel]

Nope; Ain't gonna happen! That route is not available.

 

[bbaggerman]

hey guys is there a way to change the registration classification from "experimental" on rv12 to "light sport" so it can be used for flight school. maybe vans has a program for helping with this.

Just a little clarification here so others don't get confused. An RV-12 is an LSA, Light Sport Aircraft. What you are really asking about is converting from an experimental LSA (E-LSA) to a "special" LSA (S-LSA). In other words converting from an Experimental Airworthiness Certificate to a Special Airworthiness Certificate. It is the Special Airworthiness Certificate that allows you to do commercial operations.

My understanding is that conversion is a one way operation. My RV-12 started life as an S-LSA and was converted to an E-LSA. So even though it is factory built its configuration is no longer necessarily the factory configuration that qualified it for a Special Airworthiness Certificate. Once it became experimental it is no longer configuration managed by the FAA and so no commercial ops allowed.

What if I put it back in factory configuration? Well, who is going to certify that? Certainly not the factory. Bottom line is that it is impractical to try to go back to a special airworthiness certificate.

 

[Ironflight]

Just a little clarification here so others don't get confused. An RV-12 is an LSA, Light Sport Aircraft. What you are really asking about is converting from an experimental LSA (E-LSA) to a "special" LSA (S-LSA). In other words converting from an Experimental Airworthiness Certificate to a Special Airworthiness Certificate. It is the Special Airworthiness Certificate that allows you to do commercial operations.

My understanding is that conversion is a one way operation. My RV-12 started life as an S-LSA and was converted to an E-LSA. So even though it is factory built its configuration is no longer necessarily the factory configuration that qualified it for a Special Airworthiness Certificate. Once it became experimental it is no longer configuration managed by the FAA and so no commercial ops allowed.

What if I put it back in factory configuration? Well, who is going to certify that? Certainly not the factory. Bottom line is that it is impractical to try to go back to a special airworthiness certificate.

Bob, while the gist of what you wrote is correct, terminology is important in order to not confuse folks. An Experimental Airworthiness Certificate IS a Special Airworthiness Certificate as well. AT the top level, there are two types of Airworthiness Certificates - Standard and Special.

Quoting from the FAA:

A standard airworthiness certificate (FAA Form 8100-2, displayed in the aircraft) is the FAA's official authorization allowing for the operation of type certificated aircraft in the following categories:

• Normal
• Utility
• Acrobatic
• Commuter
• Transport
• Manned free balloons
• Special classes

An FAA special airworthiness certificate (FAA Form 8130-7) is an FAA authorization to operate an aircraft in the US airspace in one or more of the following categories, governed by the applicable sections of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR):

Primary Category
Restricted Category
Multiple Categories
Limited Category
Light-Sport Category
Provisional Category
Experimental Airworthiness Certificates
Special Flight Permit

So the LSA's (both "S" and "E") get "Special" certificates as well.

 

[Mel]

What if I put it back in factory configuration? Well, who is going to certify that? Certainly not the factory. Bottom line is that it is impractical to try to go back to a special airworthiness certificate.

The factory IS the only one who can do this. And the aircraft MUST have started life as an S-LSA.

It IS possible for the factory to return the aircraft to S-LSA. It is EXTREMELY rare. I only know of one case where it has happened.

 

[bbaggerman]

Bob, while the gist of what you wrote is correct, terminology is important in order to not confuse folks. An Experimental Airworthiness Certificate IS a Special Airworthiness Certificate as well. AT the top level, there are two types of Airworthiness Certificates - Standard and Special.

Yep, I agree! Words are important, especially when dealing with a regulatory government agency.

I didn't do the S-LSA to E-LSA conversion but I do have the paperwork (PDF really) chain from the FAA for my RV-12. All my Airworthiness Certificates were/are "Special Airworthiness Certificates" as Paul rightly pointed out. On the certificate as an S-LSA Box A "Category / Designation" is shown as "Light Sport". As an E-LSA Box A is shown as "Experimental Light Sport". A little punctuation like "Experimental - Light Sport" might have been clearer.

Here is part of the application for change that may (I said "may") make all this a bit clearer...


Sorry for being so pedantic but that is part of being a good pilot.

 

[bbaggerman]

hey guys is there a way to change the registration classification from "experimental" on rv12 to "light sport" so it can be used for flight school. maybe vans has a program for helping with this.

Because this is Van's Air Force, and even the simplest of topics can drawn out way too long...

My humblest of apologies to Mr. Venutoa. The terminology he described is correct. I thought it was slightly off. "Light Sport", as I now know, is an overloaded term. It can crop up in multiple places and mean multiple things, even on an Airworthiness Certificate.