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Date: Sun, 01 Mar 2009 21:34:40 -0600
From: Charlie England <ceengland@bellsouth.net>
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To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Questions on buying a rotary plane
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William Wilson wrote:
> I am in the market for a plane and would prefer a rotary-powered, as I 
> have lots of experience working with rotary engines.  As a bonus, 
> homebuilt planes all seem to get about twice as much fuel economy as 
> factory built planes.  So that is nice too.  I know there are a few 
> rotary powered planes available for sale, but not too many.
>
> I have neither the time nor desire to build my own plane, so my 
> question is more about maintenance and inspections.  I'm not an 
> official A&P and I don't know if I will be able to find an A&P to work 
> on a home built plane with a car engine in it!  I am happy to do 
> engine maintenance, but am not entirely clear on the legality of it, 
> since I would not be the original builder.
>
> Similarly when it is eventually time for an engine rebuild, would I be 
> able to remove the engine, take it down to Atkins (who are not far 
> from me) and have them rebuild it, or rebuild it myself, and then 
> reinstall it, and find an A&P to just sign off on the work?
>
> Plan B is to buy whatever plane even if it has a Lycosaurus, but when 
> time for overhaul comes, get rid of the Lycoming and replace it with a 
> rotary.  Thought in this case is to get the rotary tuned, a little 
> broken in and running on a stand in the hangar in advance, so that 
> when the time comes to do the swap it can be done with a minimum of 
> downtime.  (I know it cannot really be tuned for altitude in this way 
> but it is better than nothing!).  But again, the fact that I would not 
> be the original builder makes me worry about legalities.  I have heard 
> that this has been done so question is more about the how.
>
> I do not really understand all the law involved and hopefully somebody 
> here can help.  Thanks!

I can't speak with authority, but I can speak from experience.

Experimental homebuilts can be maintained or modified by anyone. No FAA 
blessings required. Annual condition inspections must be performed by 
either the holder of the 'repairman's certificate' (only available to 
the builder of record) or by the holder of an A&P ticket (no IA required).

Once the airworthiness certificate is awarded, *anyone* can do any 
maintenance, repairs, modifications etc desired. The post-modification 
requirements vary somewhat from plane to plane depending on when the a/w 
was issued, but in general terms, you notify the FAA in writing that 
major mods were made, ask for a defined test area, make a log entry 
detailing the return to 'phase one' testing, fly test flights for 
(typically) 5 hours, then make another log entry saying that the plane 
has been tested with the mods & is being returned to 'phase two' (normal 
operational) status.

'Major modification' isn't clearly defined, but if you have to ask, it's 
major. :-)

The availability of an A&P to sign off condition inspections is all over 
the map (literally). It's never been a problem for me, but in some parts 
of the country people can't find an A&P who will sign off  *any* 
homebuilt, no matter what engine. If you have that problem,  get to know 
the guys who sign off the crop dusters in your area.

Hope that helps....

Charlie