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The Experimental Exhibition Alternative

 

There may have been some aircraft owners that missed the deadline of January 31, 2008 to receive an Experimental Light Sport Aircraft registration.  And now you are thinking you have (1) a spare parts supply for your friends, (2) an illegal aircraft if you choose to fly it, or (c) something you maybe can sell to someone in Mexico or Canada.  Not so fast, think again.

You may be able to get your former vehicle into the Experimental Exhibition category provided you do a little extra paperwork.

Experimental exhibition is another experimental purpose (often referred to as an experimental "category"). There are many experimental purposes called out in FAR 21.191, including operating an amateur-built aircraft, operating a light-sport aircraft, research and development, crew training, market survey, and exhibition.

The exhibition purpose was set up primarily for aircraft used in competitions and exhibitions. Many competition and air show aerobatic aircraft are certificated under the exhibition purpose. So too are many of the ex-military "warbirds" seen at various aviation events. These aircraft are either being "exhibited" on the ground, or are used to "exhibit" their flight characteristics.

An aircraft certificated for the purpose of exhibition must file a program letter with the FAA each year listing the aircraft's home base and indicating which exhibitions the aircraft plans to attend. When attending these exhibitions, the aircraft is expected to take the most direct route to and from the exhibition, taking into account safe routing and the performance of the aircraft. When no flying to or from (or at) an exhibition, the aircraft is restricted to a "proficiency flight area". This area is typically a 300 nautical mile radius of the aircraft's home base.

Depending on what sub-group the aircraft fit within under the general exhibition purpose (there are four groups), the aircraft may or may not be allowed to land at any airport other than its home base during proficiency flying. In other words, the aircraft may be restricted to landing and taking off only at its home base during proficiency flying. 

Owners of aircraft which are intended for general recreational use and not actually used for exhibition purposes find the exhibition purpose to be quite restrictive and overly burdensome as compared to amateur-built or ELSA category because of the proficiency flying restrictions and the need for filing an annual program letter, making the purpose far less desirable. This will also effect the resale value of the aircraft.

The following are some of the restrictions to Exhibition category:

1.    The pilot needs to hold an appropriate certificate.

2.    The aircraft must be inspected each year in accordance with the scope and detail of FAR 43 appendix-D (Annual inspection) The inspection must be carried out by an A&P .

3.    You may not fly over densely populated areas except for the purpose of takeoff and landing .

4.    You may not operate the aircraft for compensation or hire . (ie, no commercial operations)

5.    The aircraft may only be operated for the purpose of exhibition, maintenance and proficiency .

6.    Exhibition is defined as: attending a school or shopping mall exhibition, fly-in, rally, airshow, aerobatic competition or organized practice session .

7.    For flights other than those listed above, the aircraft may only operate within a specified geographical area, usually a circle of 300 NM based on the airport at which the aircraft is based .    NEW or REVISED Operating Limitations eliminate the 300 NM proficiency area .   In other words, NO RESTRICTIONS WHERE YOU CAN FLY, EXCEPT FOR CLASS B AIRSPACE .

8.    At the beginning of each year, the operator must submit a list of the events he/she intends to attend that year (program letter) .

9.    For any flights not listed in the program letter and which lie outside the 300 NM radius, the FAA must be informed in advance by FAX or post card . (Inform, NOT ask permission) .   THIS DOES NOT APPLY IF YOUR OPERATING LIMITATIONS DO NOT STATE A 300 NM PROFICIENCY AREA .

As you can see from the above there really isn't much restriction.  Let's go through the points one by one.

  1. An appropriate pilot certificate would of course be your Sport Pilot certificate with proper class endorsement.  No problem there.

  2. Everyone has to have an annual.  The slight problem is that yours will have to be signed off by and A&P.  Many A&Ps will work with a customer and allow the customer to do the annual with them supervising and for a fee sign the logbook.  This requires some asking around to find a sympathetic A&P wanting to make some easy cash.

  3. Most of us don't want to fly over densely populated areas with a two stroke engine anyway.

  4. Can't do that with ELSA either.

  5. Ok, here is where things start to get interesting.  And that is answered by:

  6. Exhibition defined.  Looks like you can go to most of the events you go to now and that is correct.  The FAA is fairly lenient in the event definitions.  So most any pre-planned event would qualify.

  7. Here is another restriction of sorts.  You can only fly a non-stop, out and back from your home field.  That means you can't take off and go over to a friends field and land.  When you take off from your home field you must land back there.  And you are allowed 300 nautical miles to do that.  I dare say that should be enough area.

  8. Another part of that paperwork I was talking about.  I have included an example of a program letter here:  Sample program letter    And a fillable program letter form here: Experimental program letter for you to use if you decide to try for a Exhibition certificate.

  9. 300 nautical miles should be enough area to have fun.  And if you want to go out of the are at the last minute just "inform" the FAA and you have met your legal requirements.

Here is a sample of what your operating limitations might look like:  Sample operating limitations

So aside from the extra paperwork that is mostly just telling the FAA in advance where you plan to go have fun,  the Experimental Exhibition category is a way to get your aircraft back flying and do it in a legal way and have a unique certificate. 

Procedure for getting Experimental Exhibition Category Aircraft Certification

  1. Register your aircraft for an N-number and get the white registration certificate back in the mail.  To do this you need form 8050-1 and form 8050-88.   Form 8050-1 is the form in triplicate with carbons so it isn't downloadable.  Form 8050-1 can only be had at an FAA office or from a DAR.  Fill out the forms and send them to the aircraft registry branch with $5.00.  When you get your white registration card back in the mail you may proceed.

  2. Link on the Experimental Exhibition program letter  and fill that out.  You will need the events you plan to go to, and any airports you plan to fly to for maintenance or proficiency.  Use the sample program letter to help.  You will also need to fill out an 8130-6d application for airworthiness  Under Section II,  check 4 Experimental and then 3 Exhibition.

  3. Next prepare your aircraft and logbooks for the inspector.  Make sure you have maintenance records for both engine and airframe.  And it would be best if you can find and A&P to sign off a current annual condition inspection.  Make sure you have a weight and loading form.  The inspector will ask to see it.

  4. Call your nearest Flight Standards District Office and tell them you have an aircraft that didn't make the Experimental Light Sport Aircraft deadline and that you would like to certify it in Experimental Exhibition Group IV.   That you would like to send them your Form 8130-6 Application for Airworthiness,  program letter and registration certificate for their examination and after they look over your package tell them you would like to schedule a time for an inspection.  Be nice and don't get frustrated if the first time they laugh.  Tell them you are serious and that you have all the required documentation and understand the restrictions involved. 
    Listen there are hundreds of aircraft flying in this category of experimental aircraft.  The category was designed for aircraft that couldn't get flown any other way so you may use it too.  If they want more information just ask what it is they want and try and supply it.  Remember I can always help answer any questions and if I don't know the answer I do know where to find it.
     

  5. If they say they don't have time suggest that you can bring the aircraft to them on a trailer.  That it isn't a very complex aircraft and the inspection shouldn't take very much time.  Again stress you have all the paperwork and logbooks ready for them.

  6. Finally when the inspector looks at your aircraft be ready to answer any questions and/or fix and change anything he might not like.  Such as bolts that don't go through the nut at least one thread,etc.  Bring or have lots of different size tie wraps.  He may want you to secure wires or other things.  Have a good set of pictures with front,  side and rear view for him.   Don't just take digital pictures and print them on typing paper, they should be nice 8x10 glossy prints.
     

  7. Hopefully at some point the inspector will be satisfied and hand over a pink airworthiness certificate and set of operating limitations.  Make sure he goes over them with you so you totally and completly understand them as they are what governs what, where, when and how you can fly your newly certified aircraft.