Experimental Avionics in Certificated Aircraft?

[LGAPilot]

Just curious...with all of the fantastic EFIS packages that are available to home-builders in the experimental segment, what precludes the owner of a certificated aircraft (Cessna 172, for example) from installing a Dynon or Grand Rapids or Advanced Flight Systems EFIS and then registering and operating the aircraft as an experimental?

TIA.

LGAPilot

 

[erj-145mech]

Because of the restrictions placed on experimental registered aircraft. There are several categories of EXPERIMENTAL, and restrictions placed on these.

It cannot be considered amateur built, buecuse its a factory built aircraft.

If it is for research and developement, you must be a crewman to fly in it, and it cannot by flown over congested areas.

These are just a couple of things that came to mind, I'm sure that there are many more.

 

[Peanut gallery]

Here is the real answer....

Just curious...with all of the fantastic EFIS packages that are available to home-builders in the experimental segment, what precludes the owner of a certificated aircraft (Cessna 172, for example) from installing a Dynon or Grand Rapids or Advanced Flight Systems EFIS and then registering and operating the aircraft as an experimental?

TIA.

LGAPilot

Keep all your old avionics and put in the low end Vista Nav on a holder like some folks do with say a 496 Garmin. Then you are a full FLIR aircraft. ( which of course you are only using for backup purposes )

Vistanav.com saw them at Sun-N-Fun check it out, I was truely impressed.

 

[RogerOver]

Found the FAA's explanation on FAA.gov:


Experimental Category

Special Airworthiness Certificate

A special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category is issued to operate an aircraft that does not have a type certificate or does not conform to its type certificate and is in a condition for safe operation. Additionally, this certificate is issued to operate a primary category kit-built aircraft that was assembled without the supervision and quality control of the production certificate holder.
Special airworthiness certificates may be issued in the experimental category for the following purposes:

• Research and development: to conduct aircraft operations as a matter of research or to determine if an idea warrants further development. Typical uses for this certificate include new equipment installations, operating techniques, or new uses for aircraft.
• Showing compliance with regulations: to show compliance to the airworthiness regulations when an applicant has revised the type certificate design data or has applied for a supplemental type certificate or field approval.
• Crew training: for training the applicant’s flight crews in experimental aircraft for subsequent operation of aircraft being flight tested in type certificate programs or for production flight testing.
• Exhibition: to exhibit an aircraft’s flight capabilities, performance, or unusual characteristics for air shows, motion pictures, television, and similar productions, and for the maintenance of exhibition flight proficiency.
• Air racing: to operate an aircraft in air races, practice for air races, and to fly to and from racing events.
• Market surveys: to conduct market surveys, sales demonstrations, and customer crew training for U.S. manufacturers of aircraft or engines.
• Operating amateur-built, kit-built, or light-sport aircraft
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)