Sorry, I should have said installing an engine not allowed without the proper approvals is illegal, not experimental. Of course anything you can get approved is legal. The good news is the new AC 23-27 is making approvals easier again.
Kevin1 --- In [email protected], William R. Bayne <ercog...@...> wrote: > > > In my humble opinion, these "answers" do not accurately respond to > Jack's question: > > >> > >>> I am new to the group and looking at Ercoupe's to buy. I want an > >>> LSA... > >>> (2) Can you modify a 415C to get a 90 or 100 HP engine and still > >>> qualify as an LSA? > > Jim said: > > >> This is more a question of whether it's allowed for the plane by > >> what's > >> called an STC, than whether it qualifies as LSA. The Ercoupe is > >> certified in the "normal" class. Installing an engine that isn't > >> certified for that plane makes it an "experimental". > > I understand that there are Ercoupes "out there" that have had C-90 and > 0-200 engines > LEGALLY installed and signed off by all parties under the STC process. > That does NOT > make those birds 'experimental" airframes. So, one answer is YES, they > exist. > > The question of whether it is STILL possible to do so is harder. I > understand that "the" STC > for installation of the C-90 that Skyport used to offer is no longer > available. It MAY not be the > only one. I believe the STC for installation of the 0-200 is active. > > STC approvals were easier to get in the past. Your A&P, IA and local > FAA office > should agree to your written proposal before moving ahead with such > intent today. > > Kevin said: > > > Installing an engine not allowed on the airframe does not make it an > > "experimental", it > > makes it "illegal". > > The installation of a C-90 or 0-200 engine in an Ercoupe in conformance > with the > appropriate STC, once the the FAA has approved application of THAT STC > to THAT > airframe is NOT "Installing an engine not allowed on the airframe" and > the resulting > installation is NOT "illegal". A buyer must make absolutely sure all > is properly approved. > > Yes, we can whip up all kinds of circumstances that might make it so; > and along the > path of such installation lurk some dragons ;<); but the words "can > you", at least to me, mean > "is it possible". In general and abstract terms, the answer is YES. > To be more specific, the > unfortunate "discretion" allowed different FAA regions and different > FAA representatives > have changed the impartial "rule of regulation" applied equally > everywhere to the rule of > individuals according to personal prejudices. So here we must waffle > and respond with a > firm "maybe", depending on... > > If a properly converted plane can be found, it is easier to purchase > same than to buy > with the intent to convert one. > > Regards, > > William R. Bayne > .____|-(o)-|____. > (Copyright 2009) > > -- >
