Avionics News August 2014 - 17

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
United States
Repair stations working on LSA
The following information is from the Federal Aviation
Regulations (Parts 43 and 145).

QUESTION:

Can a repair station perform maintenance and alterations on light sport aircraft?

ANSWER:

Maybe. Yes, if the aircraft retained its special airworthiness certificate; no if it transitioned to an experimental light sport aircraft certificate.
Explanation:
According to § 145.201 (a) (1), a certificated repair
station may perform maintenance, preventive maintenance or alterations in accordance with Part 43 on
any article for which it is rated and within the limitations in its operations specifications.
According to § 145.201 (a) (3), a certificated repair
station may approve for return to service any article
for which it is rated after it has performed maintenance, preventive maintenance or an alteration in
accordance with Part 43.
Part 43 applies to any aircraft having a U.S. airworthiness certificate; (§ 43.1(a) (1)).
Part 43 does not apply to any aircraft that the FAA
has issued an experimental certificate, unless the FAA
has previously issued a different kind of airworthiness certificate for that aircraft (§ 43.1(b) (1)); or any
aircraft for which the FAA has issued an experimental
certificate under the provisions of § 21.191(i)(3) of
this chapter, and the aircraft was previously issued a
special airworthiness certificate in the light sport category under the provisions of § 21.190 of this chapter.
(§ 43.1(b) (2))
A light sport category aircraft is issued a special airworthiness certificate under section 21.190. An experimental certificate is issued under section 21.191.

Note: The AEA offers "Frequently Asked Questions" to foster greater
understanding of the aviation regulations and the rules governing the
industry. The AEA strives to ensure FAQs are as accurate as possible at
the time of publication; however, rules change. Therefore information
received from an AEA FAQ should be verified before being relied upon.
This information is not meant to serve as legal advice. If you have particular legal questions, they should be directed to an attorney. The AEA
disclaims any warranty for the accuracy of the information provided.

CANADA

News & Regulatory Updates
Transport Canada Civil Aviation changes
the schedule for CAR 521 revision
The Transport Canada Civil Aviation has delayed
the introduction of the notice of proposed amendment
for Canadian Aviation Regulation 521 due to an
internal review of the current draft and other issues.
Several issues with 521 have been determined since
its introduction in 2009, and the TCCA is conducting
an internal review to ensure these are addressed.
There also are several changes within the industry
and other regulatory agencies around the world
that may have an influence on the draft CAR 521.
The TCCA is planning for an industry consultation
prior to the issuance of the NPA, which it originally
planned after publishing in Gazette I.
Some of the items being reviewed include:
* Changing the use of conformity within the
text back to compliance, as it has been used
in the past. Using conformity in the context
of meeting design requirements (comply)
has caused some confusion when used in
conjunction with the determination of ensuring
a product meets the type design (conforms).
* Properly defining minor and major design
changes to harmonize with CAR 571 and other
authorities where appropriate.
* Providing clarification on using design
approval documents other than a type
certificate or supplemental type certificate.

Exemption for installations of 406 ELT
validity period extended
Last month, the TCCA indicated that the exemption
for installing ELTs was reissued; however, it was
not available yet on its website. It has been recently
released online, and the validity period ends March
31, 2019. This is a departure from past TCCA policy
that has only allowed exemptions to be valid for 18
months. Delays in processing regulatory changes
Continued on following page

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Avionics News August 2014

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