Mark628CA
April 6th 06, 06:02 PM
Just received this from Greg Davison at FAA OK City:
Hello, Mr. Mocho:
An update on the life limits:
I spoke with Centrair yesterday and was informed that a corrective
action
is in the works and a solution for the extension should be available in
around 2-5 weeks. Please note that this is an estimation.
I need to make a correction to my reply to you concerning the
possibility
of going into the experimental category. My previous email stated that
you
cannot. After deeper research, I stand corrected.
Yes, one can downgrade the standard category to experimental but not
without facing additional restrictions for flight. Justification must
be
supplied for the reason to go into this category. See FAR 21.191 and
21.193. The specifics of the experimental category is found in FAA
Order
8130.2F, Chapter 4, Section 7. Since this would be a category change,
the
Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO) would handle this. A
big
issue to consider is if one wants to go from experimental back to a
standard certificate. This would require the MIDO to perform a full
conformity inspection and much paperwork. Note that the life limit AD
would remain in effect even if the glider were placed in experimental
because this model has a type certificate. The owner is still
responsible
for the airworthiness and the AD can still be enforced.
Please forgive me for the confusion.
Sincerely,
Gregory Davison
Glider Program Officer
FAA Small Airplane Directorate
Wk: (816) 329-4130
Fax: (816) 329-4090
Hello, Mr. Mocho:
An update on the life limits:
I spoke with Centrair yesterday and was informed that a corrective
action
is in the works and a solution for the extension should be available in
around 2-5 weeks. Please note that this is an estimation.
I need to make a correction to my reply to you concerning the
possibility
of going into the experimental category. My previous email stated that
you
cannot. After deeper research, I stand corrected.
Yes, one can downgrade the standard category to experimental but not
without facing additional restrictions for flight. Justification must
be
supplied for the reason to go into this category. See FAR 21.191 and
21.193. The specifics of the experimental category is found in FAA
Order
8130.2F, Chapter 4, Section 7. Since this would be a category change,
the
Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO) would handle this. A
big
issue to consider is if one wants to go from experimental back to a
standard certificate. This would require the MIDO to perform a full
conformity inspection and much paperwork. Note that the life limit AD
would remain in effect even if the glider were placed in experimental
because this model has a type certificate. The owner is still
responsible
for the airworthiness and the AD can still be enforced.
Please forgive me for the confusion.
Sincerely,
Gregory Davison
Glider Program Officer
FAA Small Airplane Directorate
Wk: (816) 329-4130
Fax: (816) 329-4090