Hi Stan,

It is not only possible but likely that many "conversions" from 415-C or 415-CD to 415-D may be deficient in FAA records, and may still "officially" remain the previous model. The "fine point" as to LSA eligibility of a given airframe, is whether or not it was ever operated with a gross weight in excess of 1360 lbs.

If the FAA chooses in the long term to "go" with official conversion records, all is fine. If they, at some point, decide at any time that owner actions to convert an airframe to 415-D specification so as to operate it at 1400 lbs. gross will establish a presumption that the aircraft was so operated, that's an entirely different outcome.

I don't believe the FAA always exhibits good faith in regulatory interpretations, and today the above represents an additional $10,000 in value for a seller and a potential loss later on of the same amount to a new purchaser.

In the end, a given Ercoupe is worth what a given person will pay for it.

Regards,

WRB

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On Sep 11, 2009, at 12:58, Stan Bearup wrote:



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

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