What are the criteria for determining if a C/D is a LSA or not? I have owned and restored a few Ercoupes over the past couple of years (am currently restoring two more 415C models), and have done a lot of research on the question asked. What I have learned is that if the Ercoupe is a 415C model, and has not been fully and "legally" converted to a 415D, and the paperwork shows that it has a legal gross weight of 1320 lbs or less, then the airplane most likely qualifies to be flown within the light sport rules.
Over the years, many of the 415C model Ercoupes were converted to 415D models, which have a 1400 lb gross weight. Some of these aircraft were converted, but not all of the paperwork was completed. This is where the form 337's for the major alterations were filed with the FAA, and then a new registration and airworthiness certificate was requested and issued that shows the plane changed from a 415C to a 415D. If this has not been done, then the aircraft that may have been physically altered to a 415D model, but where not all of the paperwork was completed and sent to the FAA and recorded, then it is most likely still legally a 415C. The 415C models (that have not recently been altered with the 1320 lbs STC) have a legal gross weight of 1260 lbs, which is below the LSA maximum of 1320 lbs. In short, an airplane does not officially change from one model to another model until all of the paperwork is complete, and on file with in the FAA records for that particular airplane. To request aircraft records from the FAA in CD or paper form from, go to: http://162.58.35.241/e.gov/ND/airrecordsND.asp Stan Bearup Airport Manager American Falls, ID
