Considering DAR Conversion to Experimental

[bigmo]

Very interested in pro's & con's (and personal experience) to make sure I make the right choice. I had a conversation with a DAR-T today. Painless and easy to convert to E-LSA and way less of a pain/cost than I anticipated. I'm leaning on doing it, but would like to objectively discuss it first.

I really only have one objective - to modify the Tecnam operation limitations restricting use in IMC. I was going to wait around and see if MOSAIC helped any, but realistically, I see that process taking several more years.

I'm instrument rated and tend to file IFR every time I fly. VERY little of my flying is local - I'm usually going someplace. I've got enough hours on the plane now to know what it can and cannot do, and I'd be looking at using it in "gentleman's IMC" - if that's a term. The ability to climb or descend through a layer would be all I'd expect. Mike most of your a/c, mine is well equipped for light IMC. Twin G3X Touch, dual ADHRS, heated pito, and now a real/certified Garmin GPS navigator.

It seems kind of a no brainer at this point. My big unknow is if I'd be diminishing resale at all. My gut says no. It's not a smaller pool, just a different pool - and the Vans shopper pool is HUGE. I've only seen a couple of Tecnams converted go for sale and they sold fast...maybe faster than one still S-LSA. Very interested for thoughts & feedback if this is a valid concern or not.

I'm planning to keep the a/c long-term, but you never know what happens and don;t want to regret this decision 2, 4, or 7 years from now.

[ChiMike]

It will still be regarded as an ‘LSA’ by experimental pilots who can fly ‘certified’ aircraft under the current rules. And insuring an experimental is its own experience.

[dave]

I plan on doing the same thing. I spoke with my insurance broker today and he did not think I going E-LSA would be an issue. All I need is a plane!

[Glenn]

There's always more to consider than increased utility for yourself. Converting from S-LSA to E-LSA seems like a no brainer but flight schools may not be interested in operating a E-LSA so you've reduced the number of potential buyers when you want to sell it. I'm pretty sure they'd have to get a LODA and the FAA may resist. Someone more knowledgeable than me might be able to describe the process from E-LSA back to S-LSA as an option when you sell your plane.

[ronin5573]

Apr 9, 2024 22:40:52 GMT Glenn said:

There's always more to consider than increased utility for yourself. Converting from S-LSA to E-LSA seems like a no brainer but flight schools may not be interested in operating a E-LSA so you've reduced the number of potential buyers when you want to sell it. I'm pretty sure they'd have to get a LODA and the FAA may resist. Someone more knowledgeable than me might be able to describe the process from E-LSA back to S-LSA as an option when you sell your plane.

It is possible to go from ELSA back to SLSA, however, it would require approval from tecnam directly. In my opinion, there is zero chance that tecnam would sign off on it because then they are taking on the liability of the aircraft once again. If this is a path that an owner wants to take I would tell them that it’s a one-way street. Before my tecnam, I previously owned a sport cruiser who had terrible factory support. As a matter of fact, they still do. Many sport cruiser owners went ELSA. I don’t think resale values were as big of a concern as most people think however a flight school, will never buy it. I think you can do flight training in an ELSA but you have to own it with an LODA from the FAA.

[ronin5573]

link

Here is a link to all you need to know 

[dave]

ronin5573 “In my opinion, there is zero chance that tecnam would sign off on it because then they are taking on the liability of the aircraft once again.”

FWIW - I’m not aware of a Tecnam going back to S-LSA but I do know an owner who took a Bristell from E-LSA to S-LSA.  Bristell just checked the logbooks to ensure no modifications were done during the E-LSA period.

[ronin5573]

Apr 9, 2024 23:58:02 GMT dave said:

ronin5573 “In my opinion, there is zero chance that tecnam would sign off on it because then they are taking on the liability of the aircraft once again.”

FWIW - I’m not aware of a Tecnam going back to S-LSA but I do know an owner who took a Bristell from E-LSA to S-LSA.  Bristell just checked the logbooks to ensure no modifications were done during the E-LSA period.

It was N915LM. Lou Mancuso test plane . I could be wrong, but I’ve never heard of them doing it for a modified owners ELSA then back to SLSA.

From what I understand, Bristol is the most supportive of all light sport. Also the most expensive as a new one IFR equipped is hitting 450 grand.

[ChiMike]

I think we will have all of our current answers to make good decisions in about six months. Let’s see what mosaic finally comes up with. And then let’s see what Tecnam specifically does with the revised regulations.