The answer is simple: It is an Experimental Amateur-Built aircraft. It
does not have to meet any certification standards. It only has to have
the required markings and the record-keeping to show that it was built
for "education or recreation". The unusual control system is moot, as
is the fact that it takes special training to learn to fly it. The FAA
doesn't care, for an Experimental Amateur-Built aircraft.

What MIGHT happen, though, is the FAA might assign a more-limited test
area, and require longer than the traditional 40 hour test period before
the plane can be flown outside the area.

Ron Wanttaja

On 1/1/2013 6:49 AM, wrote:
I'm wonder how this would play
out:

a. Person designs a unique plane,
one of a kind, no other ones to
compare it to.

b. It is a single-seater.

c. It has unique control surfaces,
and only someone "trained" can
fly it.

d. Gear is retractable.

e. Propulsion is "rather mysterious".

Now, how would this plane be certified?
No one else can fly it. Much of the
technology is sealed beneath carbon
fiber. No one knows how fast it goes.
It is homebuilt. Builder is willing to
concede that it isn't lightsport.