Primary category already exists?

hindsight2020

Final Approach
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hindsight2020
Learned something new today. Anybody heard of why this isn't a thing in factory built land?
14 CFR 21.24
AC 21-37

Best I could research, the regulation hasn't been rescinded, so I wonder if it's a case of FSDOs stonewalling any request at converting a standard category airplane that qualifies (weight, Vso, seats) from taking advantage of this category. I personally have not heard of a single case where this TC has been given to a fac-built airplane, but maybe you folks have heard of it being done. I would think providing the conformance data of the original TCDS would suffice in lieu of doing duplicitous DER $$$ engineering analysis, but maybe that's how the FSDO keeps this from taking off.
 
if it's a case of FSDOs stonewalling any request at converting a standard category airplane that qualifies (weight, Vso, seats) from taking advantage of this category.
I believe you are confusing the existing Primary Cat with the proposed Primary Non-Commercial Cat. Not the same as the original Primary Cat was the 1st attempt at a sport aircraft vs converting a TC to owner mx type.
 
What advantage are you trying to achieve?
the legal ability of removing the aircraft from its TCDS, and all the modification, MX and parts allowances that affords me, while retaining the ability to use the aircraft in the NAS as it otherwise afforded E-AB owners.

I believe you are confusing the existing Primary Cat with the proposed Primary Non-Commercial Cat. Not the same as the original Primary Cat was the 1st attempt at a sport aircraft vs converting a TC to owner mx type.

The AC I linked seemed to point to the ability to convert the original TC to said primary category. Is this not the case? Was the AC superceded?
 
the legal ability of removing the aircraft from its TCDS, and all the modification, MX and parts allowances that affords me, while retaining the ability to use the aircraft in the NAS as it otherwise afforded E-AB owners.



The AC I linked seemed to point to the ability to convert the original TC to said primary category. Is this not the case? Was the AC superceded?

I think you mis-reading the regulation.
The applicant has submitted -

(i) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this section, a statement, in a form and manner acceptable to the FAA, certifying that: the applicant has completed the engineering analysis

You don’t get to use the original manufactures data.
 
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the legal ability of removing the aircraft from its TCDS, and all the modification, MX and parts allowances that affords me, while retaining the ability to use the aircraft in the NAS as it otherwise afforded E-AB owners.



The AC I linked seemed to point to the ability to convert the original TC to said primary category. Is this not the case? Was the AC superceded?

What’s that going to cost in resale?

Seems when ever a plane falls to a lower standard it takes a $$ hit
 
I think you mis-reading the regulation.
The applicant has submitted -

(i) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this section, a statement, in a form and manner acceptable to the FAA, certifying that: the applicant has completed the engineering analysis

You don’t get to use the original manufactures data.
And there it is. I knew the poison pill was somewhere in the legalese. thanks for pointing it out. I overlooked that requirement.

Oh well. The search for the elusive 80k experimental piper arrow continues.
 
The search for the elusive 80k experimental piper arrow continues.
Just to add, even if it was possible to obtain a Primary AWC per 21.184 for your Piper, it would still have a TCDS and fall under Part 43. This would also include the prior proposed Primary Non-Commercial Cat in that the TC, Part 43, etc still remain intact except the requirement for an APIA to perform work is exempted by the owner. So unless you want to design and build your E/AB Arrow.....
 
I think you mis-reading the regulation.
The applicant has submitted -

(i) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this section, a statement, in a form and manner acceptable to the FAA, certifying that: the applicant has completed the engineering analysis

You don’t get to use the original manufactures data.

I think you're confusing the requirements for a new Primary category TC for new production aircraft with the path to convert an existing aircraft to Primary, which is done via STC. That can be done, in theory, but in order to do pilot/owner maintenance, there must be an FAA approved preventative maintenance program for the aircraft model being converted (that can be part of the STC) and the owner has to take an "FAA approved course" in how to do those things. The AC linked above talks about that. I think the intent was that existing A&P schools would offer such courses, but I've never heard of such a thing.

For new production aircraft, the intent was to streamline the TC process, but it didn't prove popular. Quicksilver Aircraft certified its GT500 (a 2 seat ultralight in all but name) in primary category but that's the only one I know of.
 
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