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Question
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I've been told that a 415C or 415CD Ercoupe can be converted to a 415D, which is not eligible for operation by sport pilots. Can the airplane be made eligible by converting it back to its original configuration? |
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Answer :
There is a disconnect between what is legal to do to the airplane and what will be eligible for operation by sport pilots. It is true than an Ercoupe 415C or CD can be converted to 415D specification, and then can be converted back to its original configuration. This is allowed by the aircraft's type certificate. However, once the airplane has been converted to the D specification it cannot be made eligible for operation by sport pilots even if it is converted back to its original condition.
This is due to the specific wording of the definition of a light-sport aircraft as found in FAR Part 1.1. The LSA definition specifically states that the aircraft must be both originally certificated AND continuously operated within the definition. Since conversion to the D specification moves the Ercoupe outside the LSA definition, it cannot be considered a "light-sport aircraft" even if it is converted back to its original specification because it was not continuously operated within the definition since its original certification.
Since sport pilots are only allowed to operate aircraft that fit the definition of a LSA, and an Ercoupe that has been converted to the D specification cannot meet the definition even if converted back to its original configuration, it cannot be operated by a sport pilot. |
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