Do people ever upgrade from the 912 to 914/915

Just curious if people ever upgrade to the bigger engine if the manufacturer already offers it in their LSA? If so is it an STC or just document the change?

example would be you run the time out on your 912 in a Bristell. Could you replace it with a 914 or 915 now that they offer it from the factory?

 

S-LSA you would need to get approval from the manufacturer.
E-LSA you are good to go except for going back into "Phase 1" for some number of hours.
http://www.faa-aircraft-certification.com/experimental-lsa-operating.html sections 5-8

This presumes that you remain within the limitations of the definition of "LSA".

 

Have to assume you would be if they are selling that model with the 914/915. Right?

 

That seems like a safe assumption given that the 915 version is sold as an SLSA

Interesting to note that some of the performance quoted for the 915 powered version "160 KTAS True Air Speed at 18,500" doesn't work for someone with a sport pilot ticket (or a geezer with a private flying under the S.P. rules without a medical...)

 

Ha ha! Yep! But with a PPL and O2 it’s game on!

 

Technically, though, if it does not comply with the 14CFR Part 1 definition of Light Sport Aircraft, and it's licensed as Special or Experimental Light Sport, it is no longer legal. EAB, no problem, though as the Cap'n says, you'll need at least a Private to fly it.

Ron Wanttaja

 

Hmmmm. But if you are essentially just upgrading your bird to the same specs as what they are selling now as LSA, how could it not be legal? What did I miss?

 

Like the Cap'n says, the specs with the new engine state it can do 160 knots. That's a weee bit out of the Part 1 definition:

Now, Part 1 does specify that 120 knot limit as of sea level, and the 160 knot claim was at altitude. But...do we know the sea level parameter won't be violated by a larger engine?

I am reminded of ~18 years ago, when several small kit aircraft manufacturers changed their specifications from reading ~140 knots to lower, legal LSA speeds.

Also, the definition of "Light Sport" varies with the country, just like "Ultralight." One has to be careful.

*If* replacing just the engine puts the plane in the same configuration as an existing SLSA, you should be fine. In any case, no one is likely to check. I know guys flying RV-6-class airplanes without medicals, claiming they meet the definition of "Light Sport."

Ron Wanttaja

 

They are selling the big motor version as an S-LSA so unless they are doing something else besides just changing the engine to keep the sea level speed down one should still stay in the LSA box.

And, yea, no one seems to check.

Now, can someone explain the difference between "repositionable" and "retractable" gear?

 

Isn’t that a reference to the gear on seaplanes?

 

Maybe they are putting a “super climb” prop on the 915. Limits the speed to stay in the rules and the excess HP is available for climbing.