jnorris
MEMBER
Wisconsin
Except, if the engine were maintained properly in accordance with part 43 by an appropriately licensed mechanic your example would not be true. If you altered that engine in some manner which raised some question then ??? It's in the record keeping and who does what to it.
The FAA says that's not true. See my previous post about the aircraft (including the installed engine) not being subject to 14 CFR Part 43. That means that there is NO record keeping requirement for maintenance or repair that is performed by a non-certificated individual, there is no way for anyone to verify that the records that are there are complete. Just the mere possibility that the component can be legally maintained by a non-certificated individual casts the entire component into question as to whether is has or has not had such maintenance or repair completed. Since nobody knows for sure, nobody can "certify" that the component meets the TC. Once the component (engine, prop, etc) has been installed and operated on an experimental aircraft it is an experimental product until such time that it has had a conformity inspection done under controlled conditions and properly documented.
Now, of course having said all that, If there is a certificated mechanic that is willing to put his signature on a statement saying that the component does in fact meet its TC after being installed and operated on an experimental aircraft, then I guess all is well. Hopefully that wouldn't come back to bite that individual someday down the road. Forewarned is forearmed.