irampil(at)notes.cc.sunys Guest
 
 
 
 
 
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				 Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 8:22 am    Post subject: MotorGlider Certification | 
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				Rob Neils wishes to know about minutiae concerning FAA airworthiness 
 certification of Europa MG
 
 1)  I have such a certification/Program Letter for N224XS for two years 
 now.  The Program Letter is the controlling document.
 
 2) Burt Compton is a well known Glider Author and CFI and I enjoy his 
 books on soaring but he knows
     nothing about Europa, Homebuilding, or A/C certification.  He and I 
 have discussed his issues several
    times at Oshkosh and I thought he had been enlightened several years 
 ago.  Your information may be old.
 
 3)  AC 21-17-2b is totally irrelevant to the Europa, It applies only to 
 Part 21 Aircraft with official
      Type Certification.  It plays no regulatory role at all in homebuilt 
 aircraft.  Its definitions do not
      apply to to Special Airworthiness Certification - Owner Built A/C. 
 For homebuilts, the official
     requirement is: "intent to use as a glider" and installation of a 
 feathering prop with glider wings 
     from factory kit is adequate presumptive evidence.
 
 4)  My Certification / Program Letter is actually conditional:
           With Short wings installed, N224XS is an airplane, with Long 
 wings installed it is a self-launching glider
           The program letter goes on to declare that the A/C is eligible 
 and approprate for DAY/NIGHT VFR/IFR
           in keeping with 91.205 (and 224XS is fully loaded)
 
 5) For homebuilt A/C, the Gross weight and the CG envelope are just what 
 YOU the Builder say it is. Period.
 
 6)  If you have a DAR who is not "comfortable" or knowledgable with 
 homebuilts, find another, you can
      shop for one as much as you please.  The EAA can help.   For example, 
 FlightCrafts was recommending
     a local old codger DAR I think because he was cheap for his services. 
 Unfortunately, he refused to declare
     long winged Europas as motorgliders (because he was unfamilar with the 
 actual rules.).  One or more Europa
     builders were burned on this.  I called EAA and they gave me several 
 name to call.  Several of these DARs
     were quite knowledgeable and comfortable writing the Program Letter 
 the exact way I wanted it.  The one
    I selected did an excellent, thorough inspection, made me start the 
 engine for him, fully demonstrate my EFIS system,
    and signed me off.  It cost more than the local codger.   You get what 
 you pay for.
 
 Get the Right Inspector and Have Fun!     Remember the FAA is not the PFA. 
  No PFA nanny rules apply to you!
 
 Ira, N224XS
 
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