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Date: Sun, 1 Mar 2009 20:24:18 -0700
From: Bob White <bob@bob-white.com>
To: "Rotary motors in aircraft" <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Questions on buying a rotary plane
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Hi William,

You can do anything and everything to your homebuilt just as if you
had built it yourself.  I purchased a BD-4 without an engine, installed
a complete rotary FWF, and made other modifications to such as new
seats, vortex generators on the wings, etc.

You do have to get an A & P to check the plane each year.  You cannot
get the repairman certificate because only one can be issued for any
given homebuilt.  Even the original builder isn't guaranteed to get it
although I haven't heard of a case where it wasn't given.  If there are
several builders, only one can get it.  The inspection is called a
condition inspection, not an annual inspection. 

In my case, the operating limitations were of the old variety and they
that said any major modification results in the Special Airworthiness
Certificate being cancelled.  As a result I had to go through the
complete DAR approval process also.  The newer operating limitations
aren't written that way any more, and if the plane you purchase has the
older one, get the owner to update to the newer before you purchase it
or at least do it yourself before you make any major modifications.

I would suggest that you ask around your local EAA chapter to find an 
A & P that's familiar with the rules for homebuilts and would be willing
to do the inspection on your plane.

Bob W.


On Sun, 1 Mar 2009 17:47:21 -0800
William Wilson <fluffysheap@gmail.com> wrote:

> I am in the market for a plane and would prefer a rotary-powered, as I have
> lots of experience working with rotary engines.  As a bonus, homebuilt
> planes all seem to get about twice as much fuel economy as factory built
> planes.  So that is nice too.  I know there are a few rotary powered planes
> available for sale, but not too many.
> 
> I have neither the time nor desire to build my own plane, so my question is
> more about maintenance and inspections.  I'm not an official A&P and I don't
> know if I will be able to find an A&P to work on a home built plane with a
> car engine in it!  I am happy to do engine maintenance, but am not entirely
> clear on the legality of it, since I would not be the original builder.
> 
> Similarly when it is eventually time for an engine rebuild, would I be able
> to remove the engine, take it down to Atkins (who are not far from me) and
> have them rebuild it, or rebuild it myself, and then reinstall it, and find
> an A&P to just sign off on the work?
> 
> Plan B is to buy whatever plane even if it has a Lycosaurus, but when time
> for overhaul comes, get rid of the Lycoming and replace it with a rotary.
> Thought in this case is to get the rotary tuned, a little broken in and
> running on a stand in the hangar in advance, so that when the time comes to
> do the swap it can be done with a minimum of downtime.  (I know it cannot
> really be tuned for altitude in this way but it is better than nothing!).
> But again, the fact that I would not be the original builder makes me worry
> about legalities.  I have heard that this has been done so question is more
> about the how.
> 
> I do not really understand all the law involved and hopefully somebody here
> can help.  Thanks!
> 


-- 
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