A twin engine Bi-plane RV if you want
Deuskid said:
Hello All...
If I buy a flying RV, may I do my own maintenance? Are there any restrictions to a owner/'not-builder'?
Thanks
John
John I think you got your answer. The short answer is there are very few restrictions, and yes you can do any minor, major maintenance and any minor or major repair with out approval or oversight!!!! 
Change engines, props, fuel system, go right ahead.
I know I was surprised when I looked into this and was not of the above opinion, but after research and discussion with the FAA I was convinced that few restriction exist. I will show this but an extream example below.
The ONLY thing you CAN'T do (or more correctly sign off) is the CONDITION INSPECTION, which for the lack of a better analogy is equivalent to an annual inspection like a factory plane. Unlike a factory plane any A&P or the person with the repair certificate** for that plane can sign of the "condition inspection". Note a factory planes require an A&I to sign off an annual; an experimental airplane requires only an A&P. Also a condition inspection approval is not a statement of airworthiness like it is with factory planes.
You can do all the work in the condition inspection, I suppose in concert with the person doing the sign off, especially if its an A&P.
I will skip routine maintenance, major maintenance and repair, because you are good to go there. Lets look at major modification. Is there any restriction? NO (It is true)
Can you modify your second hand RV and work on it? Heck Yes, all you want and you can fly it with out any approval (oversight) until the next condition inspection! (Should you is another issue.)
The only thing you MIGHT (may be) need to do with a major modification is coordinate with the FAA and possibly put the plane back into Phase I. This depends on the modification being done. Phase I is a term for flight test with restrictions for a given number of hours. The restriction is usually no passengers and a limited operating area. Phase I applies to new planes and any plane that has a major modification. Check with the FSDO on what constitutes a major modification.
This phase I restriction applies to any major modification regardless who did it, even if you built it and held the repair certificate for that plane, so Believe it or not you could make your newly purchased RV into a twin engine bi-plane and fly it. The FAA will only want to know your operation area, but will not approve or disapprove your mod or work (usually). They only approve you to do the flight test. However I'm sure if its weird (like a twin engine RV) they may want to see it. Most major modes mods might be something like a new constant speed prop, going from carb to fuel injection for example.
The only time your modification will be looked at it when it may be when it comes time for the (annual) condition inspection. The person person signing off the inspection will have to approve the "condition" of your major modification work. Of course you will need to note your work and do the required paper work, like say a new W&B.
So if you can do all the above (Twin biplane) or change engines, props, fuel system, you can do any minor or semi major repair with out approval. The only approval or sign off is the condition inspection, which you can not physically annotate in the log book.
I found all the above hard to believe until I checked it out with the FED's, and it is true. So go buy your RV.
Obviously safety is key and I am sure you would ask for help if dealing with anything you have no experience with or are not sure of. George
