For those of you who think you can build your own parts....

[M Towsley]

Re: For those of you who think you can build your own parts....

I'm aware of that, Tom. Though I do have several close-up pictures of the plane, including the requisite "Light-Sport' markings on the landing gear legs. I would say that would be the one and only light sport Taylorcraft made for that compliance whether it is Exp.or not. I also saw the registrations description on that. Not sure if that will ever come to fruition in my life-time at the rate it is/was going. Thanks.

[3Dreaming]

Re: For those of you who think you can build your own parts....

Hank,

I understand the point you were making but there was one Taylorcraft built as an LSA, if I remember correctly. The red one built in Texas, N170TX, the Taylor Sport.

Marty, it was built to prove the design for a LSA. I don't think that it was ever registered as a LSA. For an airplane to be registered as an LSA (not counting the converted ultralights) there has to be a ASTM complient version. I think this was the airplane they were going to use to prove the ASTM complience, so I think it was registered Experimental R&D.

[3Dreaming]

Re: For those of you who think you can build your own parts....

There is a big "gotcha" buried in this discussion. I just help do a seemingly benign owner produced part on a LSA. However, LSA does not fall under FARs, so 21.9a(5) has no bearing and I now have some 'splainin to do at the local FSDO. Apparently, the correct procedure for home-brewing an LSA or Experimental part is to send a letter requesting a special provision.
Makes my head hurt.

If it is a SLSA any changes or repairs not listed in the maintenance manual need approval from the manufacturer. Things like simply as installing an oil quick drain valve require approval. On a part 23 airplane it is a simple log entry if it is a FAA-PMA appproved part. This would not aply to a ELSA.

[M Towsley]

Re: For those of you who think you can build your own parts....

I saw that too. I cannot believe that ship is shown as a 2005. Has it been that long, already?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: For those of you who think you can build your own parts....

Oh yea! I forgot about that one. They took it to AirVenture that year didn't they? I looked it up on the FAA site and it had a warning before it gives the data.

ATTENTION!

This aircraft's registration status may not be suitable for operation.
Please contact the Aircraft Registration Branch at 1-866-762-9434 for additional information.

When you pull it up it is shown as SN TS-1 the certification was "Terminated" and registration is "Pending". Sounds like a messy paperwork plane.

Hank

[M Towsley]

Re: For those of you who think you can build your own parts....

Hank,

I understand the point you were making but there was one Taylorcraft built as an LSA, if I remember correctly. The red one built in Texas, N170TX, the Taylor Sport.

[N96290]

Re: For those of you who think you can build your own parts....

Uhhh that is the way it has been ever since I have owned it. There is no entry in the log book so it must be original.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: For those of you who think you can build your own parts....

Guys, don't confuse an airplane certified as LSA with a Light Sport pilot flying a certified plane that fits the LSA definition. I don't think any Taylorcrafts have ever been built under the LSA certification. Even if you are a Light Sport pilot, your Taylorcraft can still have owner produced parts. It was built under a PRE-LSA TC.
Hank

I am open to correction if someone can quote chapter and verse.

[mulwyk]

Re: For those of you who think you can build your own parts....

Hurts more than your head, Mark. This is another example of the bureaucratic mission creep that is killing aviation.

[Mark Julicher]

Re: For those of you who think you can build your own parts....

There is a big "gotcha" buried in this discussion. I just help do a seemingly benign owner produced part on a LSA. However, LSA does not fall under FARs, so 21.9a(5) has no bearing and I now have some 'splainin to do at the local FSDO. Apparently, the correct procedure for home-brewing an LSA or Experimental part is to send a letter requesting a special provision.
Makes my head hurt.

[N96337]

Re: For those of you who think you can build your own parts....

I was at an IA seminar and a mechanic was violated for building a skin to replace one on a piper landing gear door. They used 21.303b2 as their justification. Signed it off in the logs and flew the airplane.

I think we're only getting part of the whole story here...probably a quality issue, or maybe a difference in the way the skin was applied (originally bonded, now riveted, etc.).... I'm with Terry on this stuff.... don't try to make it into rocket science!

[jim cooper]

Re: For those of you who think you can build your own parts....

I wonder how many people on this site could have built that gear door, primed it correctly and painted it,then installed it never writing anything or mentioning it. I think quite a few could have as there is a lot of talent here. I think the difference from say 20-30 years ago is that they just did it and got on with it and went flying. These old crates were flown by people who in many cases were in rough financial shape, trying to fund a losing FBO venture, etc. they undoubtedly crafted a lot of things due to necessity and never logged it. I'm sure this still goes on to a degree. I watched a fellow do a cowling on an English wheel that was truly magnificent some years ago. The old one was done for. It was painted beautifully and installed and I know there was no paper work of any kind. It simply appeared, and flew, end of story. As my friend j. Pogue said upon reviewing my Stearman log as he annualed it, " many log books should be read to children at bed time. They are fairy tales." Unquote. I agree with jack. JC

[astjp2]

Re: For those of you who think you can build your own parts....

WAIT A MINUTE -
There are a lot of references to 21.303b2 being thrown around here. Take note... 14 CFR Part 21 was extensively revised in 2010. The topic of Owner Produced Parts is no longer referenced in 21.303. This is now covered in a totally different sub-paragraph, 14 CFR 21.9(a)(5).

Take a minute and read it. NOWHERE does is say that this provision only applies if the part is unavailable.

Terry, it does not have to say that, it is how they apply the rule and the interpretation was similar to using a field approval in place of an STC, if the STC was available, they will never approve the field approval and tell the operator to buy the STC. Been there and done that. Tim

Re: For those of you who think you can build your own parts....

thanks Terry

[barnstmr]

Re: For those of you who think you can build your own parts....

WAIT A MINUTE -
There are a lot of references to 21.303b2 being thrown around here. Take note... 14 CFR Part 21 was extensively revised in 2010. The topic of Owner Produced Parts is no longer referenced in 21.303. This is now covered in a totally different sub-paragraph, 14 CFR 21.9(a)(5).

Take a minute and read it. NOWHERE does is say that this provision only applies if the part is unavailable.