Return-Path: Received: from imo14.mx.aol.com ([198.81.17.4]) by truman.olsusa.com (Post.Office MTA v3.1.2 release (PO203-101c) ID# 0-44819U2500L250S0) with ESMTP id AAA23061 for ; Fri, 20 Nov 1998 14:45:23 -0500 Received: from ReganRanch@aol.com by imo14.mx.aol.com (IMOv16.10) id 8EBMa02365 for ; Fri, 20 Nov 1998 14:43:47 -0500 (EST) From: ReganRanch@aol.com Message-ID: <5059139e.3655c673@aol.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 14:43:47 EST To: lancair.list@olsusa.com Subject: Airworthiness and Insurance X-Mailing-List: lancair.list@olsusa.com Mime-Version: 1.0 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> A lot of pilots that I have talked to were unaware that the builders freedom to experiment on the airplane that they are building is sharply curtailed once the Airworthiness Certificate is issued. This is because the Airworthiness Certificates validity is predicated on the fact that no "Major Alterations" have been performed since the issuance of the Airworthiness Certificate. Examples of major alterations are given in Appendix A to part 43 of the FARs. Many of the major alterations listed seem minor, like changing the prop governor or the blade design. As it turns out the big gotchya here isn't the FAA, it is your insurance company. In a recent case a fellow had modified the fuel system on his airplane, didn't like it and changed it back (he said). He then crashed the plane into someone else's property. His insurance refused to cover the liability because his Airworthiness Certificate was invalid due to his experimenting with the fuel system and inadequately documenting its return to original condition. He sued the carrier and lost. He appealed all the way to the state supreme court and lost. Ouch. The solution is simple and relatively easy. Prior to making any major modifications, ask your local FAA office what steps are required to maintain the validity of the Airworthiness Certificate. You may need to do nothing, or make a logbook entry or fly for a few hours in your test area. Any of which is preferable to the down side of loosing your house, car, fortune and plane. Remember, once the Airworthiness Certificate is issued you need to transform from the mad scientist aircraft experimenter to the law abiding aircraft captain. Regards Brent Regan