Special Airworthiness Certificate or Experimental Airworthiness Certificate?

[jveatch]

When we got our airworthiness certificate, it was on pink paper and titled "Special Airworthiness Certificate" I think the "Special" is supposed to apply to the RV-12s that are bought ready-to-fly, not built as a kit. I checked with another RV-12 owner/builder, and his was issued a "Special Airworthiness Certificate" also. The problem is that the rules seem to say that to work on a "Special" you must have a light-sport repairman with a maintenance rating, but on an Experimental light-sport airworthiness certificated aircraft, the inspection may be done by a light-sport repairman with an inspection rating.

 

[Jesse]

Don't mistake a Special Airworthiness Certificate with a Special Light Sport Aircraft. Same word, but they don't represent each other. The certificate will say how it is registered, as in EAB or ELSA.

 

[rvbuilder2002]

Expanding on Jess's post....
All aircraft that are issued other than a Standard Airworthiness Certificate (Cessna, Piper, etc.), get issued a Special Airworthiness Certificate.
Then there are a bunch of different categories within the Special AC.

Take another look at THIS DOCUMENT (Form 8130-6) that at some point you filled out to apply for your airworthiness Cert.

You will notice that everything is Special. Then there is a sub category that is Experimental, with another sub category (block 8B) of Operating Light Sport Kit Built (that is what an E-LSA RV-12 is).

So, don't look at what your C of A says across the top, look at what it say in the category and purpose lines (block A).

HERE is a document that details the differences.

 

[jveatch]

Thanks for the clarifications.