Yeah, that's the way I read it but I wasn't sure if it was just me or not :) You know what they say, the right way, the wrong way and the FAA way. I was more concerned with buying an unfinished hand built project than one containing a bunch of premade components or prefab parts, since I'm looking for one to take over myself. Just trying to find some answers to some of my questions ahead of time. I gotta wrap my head around the process etc in order to be comfortable with the idea.
> If you can convince the FAA that you built at least 51%.... > Actually this is a misnomer - the regs state that at least 51% of the > aircraft must be amateur built (AB). That 51% can be built my numerous > hands > and that's why the FAA published the Advisory Circular 20-27G in 2009 > which > includes a checklist for determining what was AB built and what was > commercially built. I did some investigating on this last year and touched > based with the local FSDO and they said they would use that checklist to > help determine (1) if it could be licensed as an AB and (2) help them to > make a determination if a repairman's certificate can be issued. I think > if > you bought a 90% or better project you could still obtain a repair > certificate, if one hasn't been issued and if you can convince the FSDO > that > you know enough about the structure and operating systems to determine if > is > in a condition for safe flight. I think a good approach is to develop a > checklist of the items you plan on checking when you do your annual and > present it to the FAA for review and comment. True, just would be nice not to have the added level of complexity, I don't think "complexity" is the word I was looking for but that's what came out of the keyboard. > A repair certificate is nice to have but a lack of one is not a show > stopper. Any A&P can sign off the annual condition inspection - I think > after the A&P looks over your shoulder while you are performing the > inspection and you satisfy him he won't have a problem signing your > logbook.
