Pegasus life limit

I understand that it is not automatic. that you would have to do the
paperwork, inspections, approvals, etc. But how do people make
alterations to their Standard certification gliders? If I want to add
winglets to my LS-3a, you are saying that it cannot be done (legally, of
course)?



Confused,



Larry



" wrote in
message :

"01-- Zero One" wrote:

If I want to do major modifications to my "Standard" aircraft (ie, wing
extensions, winglets, tailplane redesign, etc.), does it not then become
"Experimental"?

You can't just make the mods and assume it will be legal and
flyable as an experimental.

There are three common types of Experimental Certifications.

Amateur Built is the best known, and it's not available
unless it's amateur built it and an amateur did 51% of the
building tasks.

Exhibition and Racing is the next most common, and it's the
category in which most factory built gliders without a
standard type certificate are registered (e.g. my Ventus
C). It's my understanding that it's not available if the
aircraft ever had a standard registration.

The last is research. At least in theory, you could modify
an aircraft with a standard registration and get it into
this experimental category, but you wouldn't want to. The
requirements, paperwork and limitations on flight are
extremely onerous.


--
T o d d P a t t i s t - "WH" Ventus C
(Remove DONTSPAMME from address to email reply.)

"T o d d P a t t i s t" wrote in message
...
"01-- Zero One" wrote:

No, I'm not saying it can't be done legally. I was
commenting on the conversion process from a standard type
cert to experimental. As far as I can tell, that's
extremely difficult to near impossible. (I'd be interested
in hearing from anyone who's done it.) However, there are
other routes to modifications of a standard certified
aircraft. If the proposed change is a major modification
under Part 43, you'll need a 337 approval or a Supplemental
Type Certificate from the FAA. If not, then it's easy.
--
T o d d P a t t i s t - "WH" Ventus C
(Remove DONTSPAMME from address to email reply.)


I once owned an SGS 1-23 that had had the wing extended. The tip extensions
were removable. Due to this mod the aircraft was converted from "Standard"
to "Experimental, Exhibition and Racing". The most interesting thing about
this airworthiness certificate was that it specifically stated that the
aircraft reverted to "Standard" when the tips were removed. To my knowledge
this "dual certification" was a unique case. This was done quite a while
ago, and by someone (Paul Bickle) with impeccable credentials and very good
FAA contacts.

Modern era "Experiment" operating limitations are supposed to have an item
stating that: "The cognizant FAA FSDO must be notified, and their response
received in writing, prior to flying this aircraft after incorporation of a
major change as defined by Part 21.93". This requirement is the substitute
for the 337. (I personally would seek their advice and okay before
performing the mod to avoid unpleasant, and expensive, surprises.)

Why doesn't somebody cook up an inspection plan, run it by the FSDO for an
STC?
Make a list of inspection items and extend life 500 hours or 1 callendar
year.
If I owned one of these. I'd look at this as an option........

--
Have a great day

Scott
"Michael McNulty" wrote in message
news:wKkXf.4461$Iw2.3339@fed1read05...

"T o d d P a t t i s t" wrote in message
...
"01-- Zero One" wrote:

No, I'm not saying it can't be done legally. I was
commenting on the conversion process from a standard type
cert to experimental. As far as I can tell, that's
extremely difficult to near impossible. (I'd be interested
in hearing from anyone who's done it.) However, there are
other routes to modifications of a standard certified
aircraft. If the proposed change is a major modification
under Part 43, you'll need a 337 approval or a Supplemental
Type Certificate from the FAA. If not, then it's easy.
--
T o d d P a t t i s t - "WH" Ventus C
(Remove DONTSPAMME from address to email reply.)


I once owned an SGS 1-23 that had had the wing extended. The tip
extensions were removable. Due to this mod the aircraft was converted
from "Standard" to "Experimental, Exhibition and Racing". The most
interesting thing about this airworthiness certificate was that it
specifically stated that the aircraft reverted to "Standard" when the tips
were removed. To my knowledge this "dual certification" was a unique
case. This was done quite a while ago, and by someone (Paul Bickle) with
impeccable credentials and very good FAA contacts.

Modern era "Experiment" operating limitations are supposed to have an item
stating that: "The cognizant FAA FSDO must be notified, and their
response received in writing, prior to flying this aircraft after
incorporation of a major change as defined by Part 21.93". This
requirement is the substitute for the 337. (I personally would seek their
advice and okay before performing the mod to avoid unpleasant, and
expensive, surprises.)

I still don't have my paperwork but I do recall that the Operating
Limitations for the Experimental - Exhibition/Racing certificate
included No Night Flying, No Towing of Gliders and No Passengers for
Hire. That nearly prevented me from buying the glider but the price was
too good to pass up. No geographical limits, though. I guess things
were a bit different way back in the '70s.

Mike