USA: Experimental Certificates

Do new gliders delivered to USA customers have Experimental Certificates?
If so, why? If not, why do most second-hand gliders have Experimental
Certificates?

Please reference any replies.

Thanks!

Chris

At 22:00 27 October 2003, Todd Pattist wrote:

My understanding is that the (US) process is
much easier now if the glider is certified in its home
country.

Perhaps some European ras-ers can comment on whether
and how individual countries' aircraft certification
processes are up for revision with the EU craze. Do
I understand correctly that there are some interim
procedures attempting to 'harmonize' things right now?
What lies ahead?

Judy

"C.Fleming" wrote in message
...
Do new gliders delivered to USA customers have Experimental Certificates?
If so, why? If not, why do most second-hand gliders have Experimental
Certificates?

Please reference any replies.

Thanks!

Chris


I think you will find that gliders are delivered to the US without any
certificate at all - the owner makes an application to the FAA for the
airworthiness certificate. If the glider was certificated under the Joint
Aviation Regulations (JAR) then it is eligible for a standard certificate.
Otherwise, there are other hoops to jump through to get a standard
certificate, if one can be had at all. So in many cases the experimental
certificate is issued because the glider is either not eligle, or because it
was too much touble to get the standard.

Having an experimental certificate also gives you more latitude in making
modifications to the glider and so some gliders that are eligible for a
standard certificate have an experimental instead - in these cases the owner
felt the benefits of the experimental certificate outweighed the
limitations.

As to why so may used ships have experimental certificates, all the above
applies plus I think you will find that the further back you go the small
the population of gliders that were eligible for a standard certificate.

Ivan