Chuck wrote:

Here is a Grumman for sale, it has a Mazda engine

http://barnstormers2000.com/show_referred_ad.asp?ID=68377

I think the FAA only allows it in the experimental category for
a limited amount of time. They like to discourage people from
putting certified airplanes in the experimental category.
I think they are afraid people will circumvent the certified airplane
maintenance rules to save money.

Paul Lamar

Mike Collier wrote:

Paul, can the FAA force him to take it out of an experimental category.  How
can they do that?

Mike C.

I am not an FAA lawyer so take this as IMHO.
I am not sure what you mean. If he does not fly it they can do nothing.
If he wants to get it certified he must get the engine certified and
that would be nearly impossible using Mazda parts. One needs a QC paper trail
on every part.  If he wanted to copy the Mazda engine and make every
part himself then he could get the engine certified and possibly an
STC for installing the engine in the Grummun. On the other hand he
could take the Mazda out, replace it with the aircraft engine it
came with, get an annual and then put it back in certified service.

The following is rumor and hearsay:
Having said all that there is a move afoot in Europe
to certify certain automotive engines by the european governments
for aircraft use. Since the US is obligated to recognizes the european
aviation agencies through reciprocal agreements. This then becomes a back door
to the american certified aircraft engine market for european
automotive engines. I suspect this is the mechanism that Mecanair
is using to certify their version of the Mazda turbo 13B.

Paul Lamar

Forgot the picture.
Royce

The AirCraft Rotary Engine NewsLetter.              Powered by Linux.
ACRE NL web site. Copyright 1998-2002 All world wide rights reserved.
http://home.earthlink.net/~rotaryeng/            http://www.linux.org