Maybe I am misinterpreting your message but, I think you are overstepping
the purpose of an annual inspection on an aircraft or engine by saying that if
an engine only has "condition" inspection by a repairman then the engine
"automatically" becomes experimental. That is like saying if my Cessna goes over
its annual period it becomes experimental and can only be returned to its
normal standard airworthiness status by Cessna. That is not the case. It only
needs an annual inspection by an IA to return it to an airworthy
condition.
Likewise, my engine does not need an "annual" inspection by an IA to
maintain its "continuous" paper trail as you suggest. I see no requirement
for a "continuous" paper trail. The regs do not say "aircraft and engines must
have an annual inspection every twelve months". They say "no person may operate
an aircraft unless in the last twelve calendar months"... (big difference).
BTW, I don't see any regulations separating engines into "normal and
experimental" categories like aircraft. If you know of any please
advise.
Engines are issued typed certificate data sheets and may be installed in
certificated aircraft if they meet the following. (This was taken from a Type
Certificate Data Sheet for TSIO 520 engine)
I have seen no language in the regulations that suggest what you say
in that an engine becomes "experimental" if an IA does not do its annual or
needs to be torn down and inspected if it is not maintained in a continuous
airworthy condition by an A&P. The engine can be returned to service by an
IA simply by doing a one time annual inspection confirming it conforms to
its TCDS and approving it for return to service. The owner of an experimental
aircraft is required to keep records of all maintenance, preventative
maintenance and insepections per Part 91 (see below) just as an owner of a
normal category aircraft is required to keep records. If the IA thinks
that the engine contains non approved parts then it is the IA's perogative not
to sign it off for use in a normal certificated category aircraft.
If you have other information or regulations or Advisory Circulars to
cite-- then please do so.
Section 91.417: Maintenance records.
(a) Except for work performed in accordance with §§91.411
and 91.413,
each registered owner or operator shall keep the following records for the
periods specified in paragraph (b) of this section:
(1) Records of the maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alteration and
records of the 100-hour, annual, progressive, and other required or approved
inspections, as appropriate, for each aircraft (including the airframe) and each
engine, propeller, rotor, and appliance of an aircraft. The records must
include—
(i) A description (or reference to data acceptable to the Administrator) of
the work performed; and
(ii) The date of completion of the work performed; and
(iii) The signature, and certificate number of the person approving the
aircraft for return to service.
(2) Records containing the following information:
(i) The total time in service of the airframe, each engine, each propeller,
and each rotor.
(ii) The current status of life-limited parts of each airframe, engine,
propeller, rotor, and appliance.
(iii) The time since last overhaul of all items installed on the aircraft
which are required to be overhauled on a specified time basis.
(iv) The current inspection status of the aircraft, including the time since
the last inspection required by the inspection program under which the aircraft
and its appliances are maintained.
(v) The current status of applicable airworthiness directives (AD) including,
for each, the method of compliance, the AD number, and revision date. If the AD
involves recurring action, the time and date when the next action is required.
(vi) Copies of the forms prescribed by §43.9(a)
of this chapter for each major alteration to the airframe and currently
installed engines, rotors, propellers, and appliances.
(b) The owner or operator shall retain the following records for the periods
prescribed:
(1) The records specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall be
retained until the work is repeated or superseded by other work or for 1 year
after the work is performed.
(2) The records specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall be
retained and transferred with the aircraft at the time the aircraft is sold.
(3) A list of defects furnished to a registered owner or operator under §43.11
of this chapter shall be retained until the defects are repaired and the
aircraft is approved for return to service.
(c) The owner or operator shall make all maintenance records required to be
kept by this section available for inspection by the Administrator or any
authorized representative of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). In
addition, the owner or operator shall present Form 337 described in paragraph
(d) of this section for inspection upon request of any law enforcement officer.
(d) When a fuel tank is installed within the passenger compartment or a
baggage compartment pursuant to part 43
of this chapter, a copy of FAA Form 337 shall be kept on board the modified
aircraft by the owner or operator.