I don't see why an experimental aircraft would require a PPL or rec pilot
license. My understanding is that IF the experimental meets the LSA
performance limitations, a sport pilot may fly it - just like he may fly a
certified aircraft that meets the limitations. If that is not so, please
steer me to the right regulation.

Frank

"Lakeview Bill" wrote in message
m...
This whole thing seems to be, once again, an issue of terminology...

We are dealing with four separate types of aircraft:

1. Certified - Built under a type certificate, with the type certificate
being approved by the FAA. Some of these aircraft may also meet the Light
Sport Aircraft requirements, and may be flown by holders of a Sport Pilot
Certificate; others require at minimum a PPL (or Rec Pilot) license.

2. Experimental - Given an airworthiness certificate on a case-by-case
basis. Requires at minimum a PPL (or Rec Pilot) license.

3. Special Light Sport Aircraft - Built to consensus standards adopted by
the FAA. May be flown by a Sport Pilot or above.

4. Experimental Light Sport Aircraft - Given an airworthiness certificate
on
a case-by-case basis. May be flown by a Sport Pilot or above.

That portion of the FAA regs requiring that the aircraft must have met the
Light Sport Requirements since it was built has to do with Certified
aircraft that, under their original type certificate, met the LSA
requirements, and have never been modified to an extent that would take
them
outside of the LSA requirements.

In other words, if a Certified aircraft met the LSA requirements under
it's
original type certificate but was later modified in such a manner that it
no
longer met the LSA requirements, it cannot be "rolled back" by removing
the
modifications and still be an LSA, even though it would then be at it's
original type certified state.

Again, this applies to Certified Aircraft.

As far as converting an Experimental aircraft into an Experimental Light
Sport Aircraft, allow me to SPECULATE...

I would GUESS, that you would first need to de-register the aircraft and
"turn in" the airworthiness certificate. At that point, you could then
modify the aircraft to meet the eLSA specs and then go through the eLSA
certification process.

Again, that part is just a guess...