jnorris
MEMBER
Wisconsin
My primary interest is E-AB. I appreciate that two DARs have provided information in this thread and hope guys recognize their contribution. Regarding the FX program?
Kudos to Cubcrafters for what they’re accomplishing. Great airplanes that aren’t limited by conventional FAA regulations. Experimental Cubs are the cream that’s floated to the top of the type.
Stewart,
You can do the same thing that CubCrafters has done, all within the limitations that have been discussed in this thread. You can use a factory-built fuselage if you want. Just like the CubCrafters fuselage, those fuselage tasks will be counted toward the "kit manufacturer" points on the fabrication and assembly checklist. Same with all the rest of the components. The point is, a builder who wants to do this MUST have a willing FAA inspector or DAR to work with so that they can go over what tasks will be completed by the builder to meet the major portion requirement. This should be done BEFORE a lot of money is spent on the project, so that the builder doesn't get a nasty surprise when it comes time for the certification inspection.
A good exercise would be to get a copy of the CubCrafters checklist (available on the FAA website) and make sure that the builder's project mirrors the tasks that were required for amateur-built certification of the CubCrafters kit. Using the CubCrafters checklist, which has been reviewed by the FAA and found to be in compliance with the major portion requirements, will get the builder where they want to be.
What you CAN'T do is take a standard category Super Cub (or any other airplane) apart, reassemble it, and claim that you are the "builder". (Or take parts from several Super Cubs and put them together into a "new" airplane and claim to be the builder.) Many people have tried this, and some have gotten away with it, but this is what the FAA is carefully guarding against.
Use the checklist (link provided in an earlier post in this thread) and perform enough tasks involving NEW fabrication and assembly, and you're all set. Not sure why that's causing so much of an argument here.