Appearance? Just a bit on my plane, but engine and avionics? Big time. Also replaced my fixed shoulder harnesses with inertia reel type, installed some better interior lighting, etc. And yes, it's quite common. Not so much the obvious physical modifications like they do to cars (chopping the top and the like), but engine and avionics upgrades, drag reduction kits, paint and interior are all commonly done.
Thanks guys for the serious responses. Of course I don't expect to see chopped Cessna's or perhaps a Grumman Tiger with curb feelers. However I'm just curious as to how you guys have worked on your aircraft and made it feel like your own. I am especially curious if anyone has an older aircraft which they have done some major upgrades with avionics or just a nice restoration. But hey, if anyone out there has gold teeth and has installed a wet bar and curb feelers them more power to you.
Humbug. I've got a stack of STC's and field approvals about an inch thick on my plane. Not that hard.
Thanks guys for the serious responses. Of course I don't expect to see chopped Cessna's or perhaps a Grumman Tiger with curb feelers. However I'm just curious as to how you guys have worked on your aircraft and made it feel like your own. I am especially curious if anyone has an older aircraft which they have done some major upgrades with avionics or just a nice restoration. But hey, if anyone out there has gold teeth and has installed a wet bar and curb feelers them more power to you.
Every single alteration to a production certified aircraft requires FAA approval in one form or another. However, there are a lot of different sources for that approval, ranging from the accepted practices described in AC 43.13-1B for minor alterations, to Supplemental Type Certificates to individual field approvals for major ones. They all involve the signature of an FAA-licensed mechanic (and sometimes much more), so owners generally cannot just change things on their airplanes all by themselves, but in many cases the approval for an alteration is just the mechanic confirming that the alteration follows FAA-approved standards. Take a good read through Part 43 of the FAR's, which is in your FAR/AIM book, for more.
Generally speaking, the owner is permitted to do the work (assuming s/he knows how), but will need the supervision of an A&P while performng that work, and the signature of that A&P (or perhaps an IA, depending on just what is being done) approving the work done by the owner. Again, read Part 43 for the legal details.
Any major alteration or major repair must be documented on a 337 (whose full title is "MAJOR REPAIR & ALTERATION (AIRFRAME, POWERPLANT, PROPELLER, OR APPLIANCE") as well as the aircraft's maintenance records. Minor alterations and repairs need only be documented in the aircraft's maintenance records.
Actually, I did all the paperwork on two field approvals -- my IA only advised and signed. Do your homework, get pre-approval from the FSDO, and it's a piece of cake for something simple.
about 3 days with a DER
It is called getting a pre-approval of the 337, or a field approval.
I have a Warrior and I want to install the autopilot that I want, and an EFIS that I want without the supervision or blessing of the pope and all the added expense of the sticker labeled 'certified'. Can I do it? No. There are no STCs for it. Could I do it if my warrior was experimental (owner-maintenance if such distinction existed in the US)? Yes. That's the difference and we all know it folks. To answer the OP's question in the affirmative then add the caveat "....but you need the right blessing from the right middle men and the right tax levied.." is to essentially answer the OP in the negative.
To the OP, the flexibility and cost effective avenues of modification you seek is found exclusively in the experimental world. STCs and 337 related to certified aircraft are very narrowly focused and specific in nature and require the oversight and expense of middlemen to approve your choices. Do not be misled, these differences are not inconsequential, they are outright game changers.
Speaking of which.. Any word on owner-maint experimental ever becoming a reality? Or should I just let the dream go and just keep saving for the lancair
