Airworthiness Certificate Resurrected

[VictorBravo]

I thought I had posted this yesterday but I might have forgotten.

Can anyone tell me what the process is to have an original airworthiness certificate and data plate re-issued and re-activated after it had been turned in to the FAA and de-registered?

I will be dealing with this problem sometime soon. I'm getting a total rebuild '46 T-craft project. The N number and serial number are known. The airplane is complete enough that it should be rebuilt as a genuine Taylorcraft instead of an experimental.

I will need to know what has to be done in order to get a replacement data plate and to re-activate the airworthiness certificate, and register the airplane. Anyone who knows what this involves please reply.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Airworthiness Certificate Resurrected

DAR and a lot of money. You better start the paperwork now or you might not be flying for years after finishing it.

[Doc]

Re: Airworthiness Certificate Resurrected

When I purchased N43306, the Airworthiness Certificate was in tatters and unreadable. When I rebuilt the Continental A65-8F, the engine data plate was sandblasted clean when the case was overhauled. I did have the airframe data plate, but the frame serial number did not match the data plate (2 numbers off). I started, and ended, the search for a solution with the San Antonio FSDO. Although they were originally reluctant to help, they really had the solution...it just took a little work on their part. It helped that I personally knew their helicopter inspector, who told me to "make a case" for their help...in other words, give them a plan to work on. I arranged a visit with the FSDO and explained my problem with the AC and the engine data plate. I am assuming you wish to register your aircraft as a production aircraft. In your situation, I would photograph the airframe serial number and collect info from the FAA registration website in CD format. From that you can attest that the data plate is lost, but that you have the original airframe. With this, they should be able to authorize a new dataplate. With the new dataplate, the old CAR 1 covers the issuance of a permanent AC (they used to be issued annually until the 1950s). They can advise you as to how you can assign a registration numer to the new data plate...hopefully it will be the original number. The issuance of a replacement engine data plate requires FAA authorization by letter to Continental. Continental has a SB that addresses this problem, and they charge a fee ($100 when I did this). If you built up an engine from parts without a data plate, I am sure the FAA has a solution for that, although a bad solutiuon may be the answer. Although this sounds counterintuitive, if you present the problem as one where you need the FAAs "help" in restoring a piece of aviation history, you may find that help is readily available. BTW, it took 8 weeks to get everything together...but I am still working on the project! Doc

[3Dreaming]

Re: Airworthiness Certificate Resurrected

If they are just lost and not turned into the FAA it would be much easier. Does the N-number show up on the FAA registry? I'm not much on typing long responces, but there are so many different things that could come into play here. Tom

[VictorBravo]

Re: Airworthiness Certificate Resurrected

Unfortunately the paperwork and data plate were not lost. They were turned in to the FAA by the heirs of the last owner (deceased) and the FAA was told to strike the aircraft off the record. This was all done for liability reasons. Apparently the family was terrified that someone could take a basket case Taylorcraft and turn it into a nuclear bomber or some children would go for a joyride over their schoolyard.

I have heard that a replacement data plate is available through the Foundation but I have not gotten a clarification from Forrest on that issue.

All I know is that the original N number is known, and thanks to this thread I now know where to look for the serial number. It is also fairly clear at first glance that this is an unmodified original airplane, there are no Cub wings on it, there are no nosewheel provisions welded on, the cowlings have not been bumped out for a 150HP automobile engine, etc.

I appreciate everything I get from the people who know this particular stuff better than I do.

[Pearson]

Re: Airworthiness Certificate Resurrected

Bill,

It is possible that you may have problems getting the FAA to release that certificate unless you get some sort of legal release from those paranoid heirs. If you know who they are, you may want to see if you can get them to sign a bill of sale. It might help soothe their paranoia if you include verbage that releases them of all liability. Pay them a dollar and include that price in the verbage of the bill of sale, so it is legal. Hopefully you won't need any of this. But having it may make thing move along quicker.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Airworthiness Certificate Resurrected

Bill,

It is possible that you may have problems getting the FAA to release that certificate unless you get some sort of legal release from those paranoid heirs. If you know who they are, you may want to see if you can get them to sign a bill of sale. It might help soothe their paranoia if you include verbage that releases them of all liability. Pay them a dollar and include that price in the verbage of the bill of sale, so it is legal. Hopefully you won't need any of this. But having it may make thing move along quicker.

They won't release it. Airplane no longer exists to the FAA. He will have to apply for a new airworthiness and new data plate, which won't be a Taylorcraft data plate, but a Berle Taylorcraft. I had a friend do this several years ago on a Super Cub.

Bill has two options and one is frowned on by many.

[fearofpavement]

Re: Airworthiness Certificate Resurrected

Ah yes, sounds like it may require an arranged marriage...

[VictorBravo]

Re: Airworthiness Certificate Resurrected

Bill has two options and one is frowned on by many.

I'm open to hearing ALL my options. Some certain people in Oklahoma City have done things that I frown on myself. Mike is right, the N number no longer appears on the database (according to Landings.com) at all.

Mike, if you have any ideas or input that you'd rather tell me privately I will be happy to keep it private.

[N96337]

Re: Airworthiness Certificate Resurrected

Bill,
It can be done...I did it with my Bellanca a few years ago. Get ahold of the people in OK City at the records dept. (I can't find the # right now..maybe someone else can?) My 14-13 had been de-registered years ago, and I presented them with a paper trail and lo & behold, here comes my original number as well as all the permanent paperwork from day one. It took a while, but it can be done. The same thing happened with my Super Cub and that was just last year... just don't be in a hurry!
John

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Airworthiness Certificate Resurrected

I'm open to hearing ALL my options. Some certain people in Oklahoma City have done things that I frown on myself. Mike is right, the N number no longer appears on the database (according to Landings.com) at all.

Mike, if you have any ideas or input that you'd rather tell me privately I will be happy to keep it private.

Find another set of paperwork is what I was referring to and fearofpavement was eluding to. It will be ten times cheaper and many months quicker.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Airworthiness Certificate Resurrected

Bill,
It can be done...I did it with my Bellanca a few years ago. Get ahold of the people in OK City at the records dept. (I can't find the # right now..maybe someone else can?) My 14-13 had been de-registered years ago, and I presented them with a paper trail and lo & behold, here comes my original number as well as all the permanent paperwork from day one. It took a while, but it can be done. The same thing happened with my Super Cub and that was just last year... just don't be in a hurry!
John

de-registered is one thing, turned in airworthiness is another.

[N96337]

Re: Airworthiness Certificate Resurrected

Both of mine had been turned in as well as de-registered.
John