----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----
Hi Lynn, Yes it is a mess to read and I am not sure that have it right either but here is my take on it: 1. Any aircraft that has a Normal Airworthiness Certificate will stay that way and will be maintained just as it always has been so we continue to use A&P/IA's and do 337's for big deals. Yes it does cost money to do this but it is what we are doing now and many of us find it acceptable. 2. If a Coupe were to be found to be acceptable in terms of the required limitations then any appropriately singed off "Sport Pilot" can fly it. The big question that will have to be resolved in our favor is the slow flight capability as I read it we must be able to maintain level flight at 39 KTS. The only way to find this out for sure is to have an approved testing company do the required testing with calibrated test gear which would need to be done for the several significant changes to the airframe such as the split elevator and the restricted elevator travel on the "D" model. If we can get passed the slow speed /stall speed issue then an STC establishing a Maximum Gross Weight when operated by a "Sport Pilot" would be all that should be required other than putting some of the heavy Coupes on a sever diet. 3. As you have a Private Pilots Certificate and time as Pilot in Command in a Coupe I think that you are all set to fly but it is appropriate to take a Biannual and have all of the appropriate sign offs added to your log just to keep it simple for the FAA. For the people with real current experience they could expect to be signed off for B, C, D, E, and F airspace and faster aircraft for single engine land. By the way in one of your earlier posts you mentioned the 2000 foot restriction and I think you will find that it is higher of 10,000 MSL or 2,000 AGL. Most of us would have no problem with it and there are darn few cops to check if we are at 10,500 or not. It is a good program and like all new big changes it will take some time to find the small mistakes and change them, but as published it is a very good step forward. I sincerely hope that we can get the Coupe qualified so that we may stop having to hear so many of our list friends telling us they have had to sell their Coupe due to a failure of a medical. Have a good day. Best regards, Vern ----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]---- Coupers; I must admit that I am just about totally confused, now that I have read the NPRM on certification of aircraft and airmen for the operation of light sport aircraft. I do understand how we all would like to continue flying after we have lost our FAA medical certificate. It would be great if we could do it in a certificated aircraft, even better if we could do it in our Coupes. If I have read this proposal correctly, (right now I am not even sure that I can read at all) I cannot see any currently certificated aircraft entering the light sport aircraft category. ie. para. 21.186 (Issue of special airworthiness certificates for light-sport category aircraft) lists all the items a registered owner must submit. Then states "(2) The aircraft must not have been previously issued an airworthiness certificate in the standard or primary category; and". I read this as saying that no currently licensed normal category airplanes are going into the light-sport category. I also am confused by the wording of how currently rated pilots exercise the privileges of a sport pilot certificate. It says you are limited to the aircraft category and class ratings listed on your pilot certificate. None of the current category and class ratings are in the light sport category. However, it does go on to say that you must receive specific training for any make and model of light-sport aircraft in which you have not acted as pilot-in-command. I guess it is still the typical government - "double speak" language I grew accustomed to when I was stationed in D. C. If one of you could explain to me how this is supposed to work, I would greatly appreciate it. Just call me confused in Frostproof! Lynn Nelsen ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiLm.aVzvvT Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
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