From: Iflycozy Date: Sat, 18 Apr 1998 20:44:06 EDT Subject: Re: COZY: Re: [canard-aviators] FAR Clarification What do you mean that anyone can perform repairs and maintenance on a plane not built by them if they have the builder's certification? How does someone go about getting a builder's certification and what is it? Matt Bunch iflycozy@aol.com From: Marc J. Zeitlin Subject: Re: COZY: Re: [canard-aviators] FAR Clarification Date: Tue, 21 Apr 98 10:48:11 EDT Matt Bunch asks; >What do you mean that anyone can perform repairs and maintenance on a plane >not built by them if they have the builder's certification? > >How does someone go about getting a builder's certification and what is it? This subject has been beat to death in both rec.aviation.homebuilt and in the "canard_aviators" mailing list (hence the "[canard-aviators]" in the title of this message. I was hoping that someone more knowledgeable than I would step up to the plate on this one, but..... here's what I have gleaned from these other discussions (This all applies ONLY to the US, of course). When you build an aircraft and want to certify it in the "experimental-amateur built" category, you can ask the FAA for a "repairman's certificate" for that plane, and that plane ONLY. IF you've built more than 51% of the plane (however you and the FAA come to that determination is unclear, hence the recommendation to keep a lot of pictures and a good logbook of your building activities) the FAA will give you the "repairman's certificate" as well as the aircraft certification. This entitles you (as well as an A&P) to do the yearly "conditional inspection", which is the equivalent of the "annual inspections" from which "experimental-amateur built" aircraft are exempt. Other than that requirement, you, or anyone else, including your 8 year old daughter or your cat, can do ANY and ALL maintenance or other work on the aircraft - there are no restrictions for the "experimental-amateur built" category. If you did NOT build 51% of the plane, or if you bought it from the original builder, you CANNOT get the "repairman's certificate" for yourself, and although you will be able to do any and all repairs and maintenance by yourself, you will need an A&P (IA, I think?) OR THE ORIGINAL BUILDER WHO STILL HOLDS THE "repairman's certificate" to do the "conditional inspection" for you. The FAR's are reasonably unclear on all this, but this is my interpretation of the authoritative statements made in the other discussion groups. -- Marc J. Zeitlin Email: marcz@an.hp.com Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 10:59:15 -0400 From: bil kleb Subject: Re: COZY: Re: [canard-aviators] FAR Clarification Marc J. Zeitlin wrote: > > you will need an A&P (IA, I think?) OR THE ORIGINAL BUILDER WHO STILL > HOLDS THE "repairman's certificate" to do the "conditional inspection" for you. AFAIK: the IA rating(?) is not necessary, a plain 'ol A&P will do just fine. -- bil From: cdenk@ix.netcom.com Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 19:33:29 -0500 (CDT) Subject: Re: COZY: Re: [canard-aviators] FAR Clarification At Sun N Fun, FAA Building I found "Amatuer Built Aircraft Reference Material", publication # AFS-600. It is an excellent reference on all certification, including aircraft, repairman, and inspection certificates. All the forms are discussed with samples filled in. Everone building/flying should have it. I haven't had time to study it in detail, but it will answer many questions and make the process go smooth. I found contacting the FAA inspector, in our area the Manufacturing District Office (MIDO) early was worthwile, and they have treated me in a fine fashion. To answer the question, after completing the test time, with application, the builder (in the case of several individuals, only one) will receive a repairmans and inspection certificate. These certificates are for one airframe only. If the airframe is sold, the certificate MAY be surrendered, or kept. The certificate may be used after the aircraft is sold, but I wouldn't want that liability!