Just what kind of Experimental do you want to do? There is no such thing as a "I just decided to decertify my plane" Experimental category. You can't do experimental-amateur built, so probably you would have to go experimental-exhibition, which would be very limited. I think it would be just like a homebuilt, in that IF you built it you could do the maintenance, but otherwise you will have to take it to a mechanic anyhow. And you didn't build it. The experimental category is already abused enough as it is, it is not unusual for the "builder" to have built nothing, and they are not going to want people to try and decertify their planes to get flying cheaper. The point of the experimental category was not to allow cheap planes to be manufactured like the EAA seems to think. Glen -----Original Message----- From: Douglas Stierman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Friday, November 12, 1999 1:27 PM Subject: Subaru powered 'coupe?
>Hello all, > > I am considering building my "basket case" Ercoupe with a Subaru >Engine. I know that I will have to de-certify the airplane into the >Experimental category and that's fine with me. I don't have any dreams of >obtaining/developing an STC or ever re-certifing the plane. I simply want >to build my 'coupe the way I want without alot of hassle. Since I am not >an A & P, I figure this is the way to do it. I am also considering >covering the wings with 6061T6 and using AVEX Rivets for the covering. >Zenair actually has a certified plane which uses these materials as well >as their Zodiac kit planes. I figure that I can get a coupe which might >have never flied again back up in the air without breaking my budget in >A&P labor and FAA paperwork. Also, I'd be able to do my own work...and >engine overhauls on the Soob would only be ~$1,000. I had originally >planned on constructing an exp. plane, but I think that this "hybrid >'coupe" project will take less time(already mostly contructed) and cost a >bit less while still allowing me to do all the work myself and take a few >liberties without radical;ly changing the design or requiring costly STCs. > > Does anyone know the procedure for de-certifing the plane? I >assume once I start work on it, I'll have to log my work as required for a >homebuilt. I plan on sticking mostly to Fred's design except for the >Engine/Prop(Subaru with 3 blade carbon fiber prop) and the Instrument >panel/Seats/and baggage compartment. None of my mods should affect the >weight & balance. Most of the stuff has STCd equvalants in certified >'coupes. > > I know that I'll probably get a lot of discouraging replies from >'coupe purists who will warn me about de-certifing and spoiling my re-sale >value. But ....what is the resale value of a $3500 basket case with no >engine or prop? It would probably cost me $20K to get this thing flying >again as a certified, but for around $10K I could have an experimental >'coupe AND do my own work on it PLUS $1000 engine overhauls. If I decide >to go foward with this, I'll start a web page documenting my work. Any >information and ENCOURAGEMENT are invited, discouraging remarks or advice >against will be read, but probably not heeded. > >Thanks for reading this... > > >Doug Stierman >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >
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