Changing Airworthiness Certificate

[Danzer1]

Let me see if I got this straight. If the Kitfox 5-7 was originally certificated/registered as S-LSA or E-LSA with a MGTOW of 1320lbs., then it can never be re-registered as E-AB, go through phase 1 testing and certified at 1550? However, if it was originally certificated/registered as E-AB and phase one tested at 1320, then it may be phase one tested again to meet factory certified 1550 MGTOW but now it can never be reversed. Please forgive me if I am causing confusion by using the words certified and registered incorrectly.

Generally correct, however an E-AB could be reversed back to 1320 but it would serve no purpose as it would not be sport pilot eligible anymore after having been previously modified out of the LSA definition.

Greg

[fastfred]

So if My KF is registered at 1550 I can legally fly it with a light sport license if I keep the actual the weight below 1320? Better double check that I think under a prior owner an incident caused it to be changed to 1550 . I would have to pull the documents from my history. It seems like a gray area

[aviator79]

So if My KF is registered at 1550 I can legally fly it with a light sport license if I keep the actual the weight below 1320? Better double check that I think under a prior owner an incident caused it to be changed to 1550 . I would have to pull the documents from my history. It seems like a gray area

No. The LSA definition is based on the max takeoff weight, not the currently loaded weight. If the MTOW of your airplane has ever been above 1550, it cannot be flown legally under sport pilot privileges and limitations. And I'm afraid there really is no gray area. The LSA definition is spelled out pretty clearly in 14 CFR 1.1.

[efwd]

I think you meant "if its ever had a MTOW greater than 1320#" it will not be eligible for a Light Sport Pilot to fly.

[aviator79]

I think you meant "if its ever had a MTOW greater than 1320#" it will not be eligible for a Light Sport Pilot to fly.

Right you are Eddie. I hope my typo didn't make a confusing subject worse.

[Clark in AZ]

LOL! Yeah, it tripped me up for a few minutes...

Clark

[fastfred]

Have you heard any thing that they are trying to raise the 1320 weight?
Lucky I can still pass medical so I am ok.

[aviator79]

Have you heard any thing that they are trying to raise the 1320 weight?
Lucky I can still pass medical so I am ok.

I've seen some wishful thinking but I have not seen any indication that the FAA is considering a change. If you can have a medical certificate issued after 2006, consider flying under BasicMed. Not quite as easy as the light sport rules, but you don't need to get prodded by an AME anymore. If you think there is any chance you'll be denied a medical, then make the switch. You'll become ineligible for BasicMed if you are denied a medical certificate.

[dcsfoto]

unless the FAA in DC changes policy you can go up , but never go down.

If you could show the aircraft was unsafe at 1550 they might accept that.

with that in mind, our inside joke is "Please see your independently owned
and operated FAA Office"

David Kelm

[fastfred]

Did I understand that if you do the basic med you need to have the AME every 4 years or does the basic med process keep going for ever.]