From: "Marvin Kaye" <marv@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: FW:  Re: FAA Trying to stop us all?
To: lml
Date: Sat, 17 Sep 2005 11:08:37 -0400
Message-ID: <web-725000@logan.com>
In-Reply-To: <000c01c5bb91$ef8a7dd0$6801a8c0@compaqvdhfeuva>
References: <000c01c5bb91$ef8a7dd0$6801a8c0@compaqvdhfeuva>
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  From: Jack Cowell [mailto:jackcowell@optonline.net]
  
  Rick Schrameck:
  
  
  After reading a number of posts on the amateur-built rules and Epic, I have
  some questions and observations.
  
  
  1)     Are you saying that the 1500shp, 350-knot, six-seater Epic being
  built at your (I'm told) impressively large facility is the same as a
  builder going through an assist program like Lancair's?
  
  
  2)      Does that mean that your Epic customers are going to hitch up their
  trailers or rig a truck to take their planes home and complete them?
  
  
     3)   Isn't possible that your Epic turboprop has pushed the FAA and its
  amateur-built rules and approval structure a bit too far?
  
  
  Granted, some professional builders stretch the FAA envelope, too, but most
  of these are (very) small businesses - not build facilities with millions of
  dollars of investment capital targeted at the development and manufacture of
  a far more complex aircraft than any complex kit a builder could actually
  make himself.  To equate Epic's build program with these one-person or very
  small builder shops and/or Lancair's builder assist program would tax even
  your considerable salesmanship capabilities. Further, remember that rules
  are always subject to interpretation, which is why we have judges and juries
  and a court system (flawed though they may be). In the case of Epic's build
  program and construction complexity, it may be this interpretation
  capability that thwarts it.
  
  
  All said and done, it seems to me that though it is possible that the recent
  notification by the FAA has, as you say, "Nothing to do with Epic",
  nevertheless aircraft like Epic will be scrutinized extremely thoroughly if
  they continue to try to get approvals resulting in airworthiness
  certificates as amateur-built, experimental aircraft.