Jim asked about homebuilt aircraft (just in case he can't find a good Ercoupe to buy): > Don't homebuilts fall under 'experimental' rules, so they can > never be flown in certain areas? The regs also say something > about geographic limits. Is that usually the whole U.S. or > something smaller?
The typical operating limit imposed on Experimental Amateur Built aircraft (and grandfathered ELSA), copied from FAA Order 8130-2F Chg 3 paragraph 144 operating limit (9) says the person issuing the airworthiness certificate will impose this limit: ______________________________________ (9) This aircraft is prohibited from operating in congested airways or over densely populated areas, unless directed by air traffic control, or unless sufficient altitude is maintained to effect a safe emergency landing in the event of a power unit failure, without hazard to persons or property on the ground. ______________________________________ Which means that if you fly your experimental over housing on the way to or from the airport and you have engine failure, you'd d...@d well better not hit a house or people on the way down. As you call in to approach, departure control or the tower, you must identify yourself as an experimental (op limit 21). If they then route you over places where you can't avoid hitting a house on the way down then you are excused. In other words, I don't think there's much limitation. Read all of Order 8130-2F Chg3 paragraph 144 for a better understanding: http://www.usua.org/SportPilot/Order8130-2F.pdf Ed
