ASC, PO Box 589, Marshall, MI 49068 phone 269-781-4021 fax 269-781-7400 email kimojim@aol.com
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ASC, PO Box 589, Marshall, MI 49068 phone 269-781-4021 fax 269-781-7400 email kimojim@aol.com
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Guide to Converting Your Ultralight to an Experimental Light Sport Aircraft
Step 1: Registration of your Aircraft You must register your aircraft with the FAA to receive your N number. Send the following information to:
Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center PO Box 25504 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125
(Optional) Custom N Number You can reserve a custom N number at any time. You may not even have an aircraft at the time since the N number is simply reserved for you in your name. When you do get an aircraft you simply fill in the N number in the reserved N number line on the 8050-1 form. Online: If you desire a custom N Number then include a request. Follow the steps below.
Written application:
Include:
Submit to Aircraft Registration Branch (address above) ALERT…ALERT…ALERT…ALERT… Once the FAA issues you an N number your aircraft is no longer considered an ultralight vehicle. This is the point where you must have an airworthiness certificate, and your Sport Pilot Certificate to now fly your aircraft! Make sure that you are able to coordinate your pilot certificate and the inspection for your airworthiness by a DAR before you make application for an N number to minimize the time that you are unable to fly your aircraft. Step 2: Preparing your Aircraft for Airworthiness Inspection Installing the N Number on the aircraft The Roman capital letter "N" is followed by the registration number for your aircraft. All letters used in this marking must be also Roman capital letters. Numbers must be at least 3 (three) inches high and displayed horizontally and in two diametrically opposite positions on any fuselage structural member. Fixed wing aircraft the numbers should be on the vertical tail surfaces or the fuselage sides. If any surface is not large enough for full-size marks, marks as large as practical shall be placed on the largest of the authorized surfaces. (FAR 45.23, 45.25, 45.27, 45.29) ALERT…ALERT…ALERT…AERT… Many of the states Department of Revenue and the Department of Transportation regularly monitor the FAA’s list of registered aircraft. If you have not already paid sales tax or use tax, you may be contacted by your state. There are states that required that you register your aircraft also at the state level. Installing the "EXPERIMENTAL" sticker on your aircraft Experimental stickers must be at least 2 inches and not more than 6 inches high and placed near the entrance to the cabin, cockpit or pilot station. (FAR 45.23) Installing Passenger Warning Placard Exact words: "PASSENGER WARNING – THIS AIRCRAFT IS AN EXPERIMENTAL LIGHT-SPORT AIRCRAFT AND DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR STANDARD AIRCRAFT". This placard must be the exact words above and displayed in the aircraft in full view of all occupants. Installing Fireproof Data Plate to Aircraft A fireproof plate with the builder’s name, model designation and serial number marked on it by etching, stamping or engraving, is secured to the airplane. The identification plate must be secured in such a manner that it will not likely be defaced or removed during normal service, or lost or destroyed in an accident. The identification plate must be secured to the aircraft fuselage exterior so that it is legible to a person on the ground, and must be either adjacent to and aft of the rear-most entrance door or on the fuselage surface near the tail surfaces. (FAR 45.11, 45.13)
FAA Form 8050-3, Aircraft Registration Certificate assigning N-Number must be in the aircraft. This is the certificate the FAA issues you assigning your N Number. You will get this after successfully completing Step 1. We recommend protecting this with a plastic document holder. Installation of Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). This step is only required for all 2 place airplanes. Single seat airplanes and Powered parachutes, Weight-Shift and Gyroplanes are exempt in accordance with FAR 91.207. Completed Weight and Balance DocumentThe weight and balance document must determine the aircraft’s:
FYI: It may be helpful for you to contact your Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) to coordinate the format of your weight and balance documentation. Aircraft Maintenance RecordsStandard practice is to have a logbook for the engine and a logbook for the airframe. Your logbooks will document all previous maintenance and/or inspections. Cockpit Instruments and System ControlsAll cockpit instruments and system controls must be appropriately marked and labeled for operation, and as needed placards installed and placed for easy reference. All switches, levers, gauges, instruments, etc., must be labeled as to their identity and their function. Examples:
Ballistic Parachutes are clearly marked and Identified Make sure that you check with your parachute manufacturer for the standard labels for your parachute system. Flight Control Systems and Instruments that are equipped operate properly Step 3: Airworthiness Certification Inspection Completed Steps 1 and 2 Your Aircraft must be complete and flyable in every aspect and in a condition for safe operation. This form can be found in FAR Part 43 appendix D, one is also provided with this package. You need to inspect your aircraft in accordance with this checklist, and correct any problems found. The following documentation must be provided to your nearest Flight Standards District Office (FSDO); FAA Manufacturing and Inspection District Office (MIDO); or a Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR).
You can find the nearest FSDO, MIDO, available on the Internet, or by calling ASC, who has a listing of all these offices. Note: FAA FSDO or MIDO inspectors perform airworthiness inspections free of charge. You may however have a problem getting an appointments scheduled because of their routine duties. Hopefully in the future there will be more Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DARs) available to inspect aircraft. These people do inspections, not as an FAA employee, but as a Designee of the Administrator, and do ask for monetary reimbursement .Completion of an Airworthiness Inspection. Either FAA personnel or a DAR will issue you your aircraft airworthiness certificate and operating limitations. The airworthiness certificate and operating limitation must be kept in the aircraft at all times. A plastic sheet protector would serve you well here. This completes all the steps involved in N numbering your aircraft. Happy flying in your Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft. |
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