"Jeff Franks" wrote
Just wondering. Is it possible (read practical) to take a certified
aircraft (C172 for example) and have it "demoted" to an Experimental?

Seems there are LOTS of great options out there for non-certified flight
instruments (EFIS's and such) available for not much more than a song and a
dance, but you can't put them in a certified plane (my understanding
anyway).

If I'm a fair weather, non-commercial pilot, why would I care if the FAA
stamped my alternator or not? Cause if they do, the price jumps 500% for
the same part that's on my Dodge.

(all that said, I understand that the certification is there for safety
purposes and that I will lose the "promise" of the FAA saying that its a
well proven part).

First off, the alternator is not the same as on your Dodge - no unless
the Dodge you drive is 20+ years old. So basically your aircraft
alternator is significantly worse than the alternator on your Dodge.

Second, if you make an experimental out of a certified airplane
(rather than building one from scratch or a kit) you get operating
limitations that are pretty draconian, and basically make the airplane
useless. As an example, you can't go more than 300 miles from home
unless you're going to an exhibition, and every trip you make for the
year must be scheduled in advance. This is done to keep people from
doing exactly what you propose.

Michael