7ECA in Experimental Category?

[DaveCitabria]

Hi Guys,

I've scoured the internet looking for information on how a 1966 7ECA I'm looking at purchasing could have ended up in the experimental category with the FAA. I called the FAA registration offices this morning and they said there was some kind of maintenance directive in the 70s that pushed it into the experimental category. He couldn't provide specific information on this maintenance directive because they "Were just responsible for registration." But that the maintenance directive had expired 11/12/1976. He said that they just leave it registered in that category until someone calls to inquire about it. I asked what it would take to return it to certified category. He said that he could do it immediately since this maintenance directive or AD had expired in 1976. Seemed too easy, I want to make sure I'm fully aware of what I'm purchasing. Anyone have an experience with this this situation? It's a 1966 Champion 7ECA with the O-235.

Thanks!

 

[Bob Turner]

No, but get that done before purchase.

 

[Big Ed]

Or leave it experimental and take advantage of the advantages.

 

[Kel]

I always purchase aircraft records via the link at aircraft registry, It will have copies of airworthiness applications, certificates, registrations, usually 337s and everything else ever sent to FAA on a specific aircraft.
You should expect to see operating limitations attached to any experimental certificate. This is because the FAR's alone don't always cover everything, as an example there could be a note regarding re-registration. Anyhow, start by buying the records for 5 to ten bucks for the CD and you're better equipped to avoid stubbing your toe.

 

[aftCG]

I have an idea about how this might have happened. My own 7ECA showed up on the FAA web page as "Experimental for purposes of demonstrating compliance to regulations", because it was used to develop at least two STCs.

That category is intended to be temporary, and once the evaluation is complete it is to be restored to standard category. My logbooks showed that was done, the logs included a letter from the FAA saying it had been done, and the airworthiness certificate clearly stated it was standard category.

Yet that is how it popped up on the FAA web site if you inquired using the tail number. I contributed it to .gov efficiency and decided I didn't care enough to straighten it out.

 

[Bob Turner]

As long as you have that letter, and an airworthiness certificate.

Limitations on experimentals other than E-AB can be problematic. I suspect the aircraft is almost useless until you get at least a standard airworthiness certificate in your hands. Not a promise - the certificate!

 

[Hiperbiper]

I have an idea about how this might have happened. My own 7ECA showed up on the FAA web page as "Experimental for purposes of demonstrating compliance to regulations", because it was used to develop at least two STCs.

That category is intended to be temporary, and once the evaluation is complete it is to be restored to standard category. My logbooks showed that was done, the logs included a letter from the FAA saying it had been done, and the airworthiness certificate clearly stated it was standard category.

Yet that is how it popped up on the FAA web site if you inquired using the tail number. I contributed it to .gov efficiency and decided I didn't care enough to straighten it out.

Also keep in mind that after the airworthiness cert is changed for any reason (mods, STC evaluation) the aircraft MUST be returned to it's original configuration via an AP/IA conformity inspection and annual at the end of the specified period.
Should the work result in an STC (one-off or otherwise) the plane still needs to be shown to be in compliance with the original AW Certificate and THEN show any resultant modifications...
"I took off the retractable umbrella mod and puttied over the hole" note in the logbook ain't gonna cut it...there's an AC out there that describes the required verbiage and hoops to jump thru...
Chris

 

[aftCG]

Hey don't dis the umbrella mod. It can be very handy.

In the case of my former aircraft it had been restored to compliance, and the date on the Airworthiness Certificate carried on board the plane reflected that. I didn't figure correcting the FAA's sloppy documentation was going to result in anything other than me being frustrated.

I've become good friends with the guy that bought our BT-13. He went to great lengths to change the date on the Airworthiness Certificate from 1946 (the year it was sold as surplus and long after production had ceased) to 1942 (when it was actually built). He was successful, but if you look on the FAA website under the tail number it still says 1946.