I am thinking about building an RV12iS, but I am hesitating because of the pending FAA MOSAIC changes to the Light Sport and Sport Pilot definitions.
Oshkosh '19 update from Dan Johnson (LAMA):
Latest Update on FAA’s Plan to Change Light-Sport Aircraft Regulations — July 2019.
I have two issues:
1. When - should I wait to build to take advantage of the changes?
2. RV12 adaptability - if I build an RV12iS now, what is the probability I can take advantage of MOSAIC changes prior to or shortly after completing the build? It may take me a couple of years to build.
When (source: linked article)
The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 includes a deadline of 2023 for implementing a key mandate that suggests the longest it should take. Once an NPRM is published, a comment period follows to hear from the public after which FAA needs time to address the concerns raised during that comment period. After closure of that comment period, the FAA has up to 16 months to publish the Final Rule.
What (speculation)
Playing the waiting game
Waiting assumes:
PROS OF WAITING: Not locked into current rule limitations, resale value, increased weight = increased safety, more aircraft choices
CONS: May never happen, delay could be many years
Build now and Adapt Viable??
So this leads me to my question. If it will take me a couple of years to build an RV, LSA and Sport Pilot changes are likely occur during the tail end of the build or shortly after the build is complete
Will an RV12iS be able to take advantage of the changes via modification? Are competitor LSAs better suited for modification?
Questions:
Your thoughts on the current RV12iS's adaptability to the potential LSA/Sport Pilot changes - thanks!
Non-LSA side note: Among the most exciting things about MOSAIC was emphasized by the FAA acting commissioner at Oshkosh '19 - changes will include making it easier and less expensive for certified GA non-commercially used legacy aircraft to improve avionics (basically he said the current rules are unacceptable because they significantly impede improving GA safety with readily available tech - FAA flexibility would be offset by limitations on the updated aircraft's use - e.g., cannot be used commercially). Basically he indicated legacy certified will have the option to switch to experimental status for the purpose of avionics upgrades.
Oshkosh '19 update from Dan Johnson (LAMA):
Latest Update on FAA’s Plan to Change Light-Sport Aircraft Regulations — July 2019.
I have two issues:
1. When - should I wait to build to take advantage of the changes?
2. RV12 adaptability - if I build an RV12iS now, what is the probability I can take advantage of MOSAIC changes prior to or shortly after completing the build? It may take me a couple of years to build.
When (source: linked article)
The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 includes a deadline of 2023 for implementing a key mandate that suggests the longest it should take. Once an NPRM is published, a comment period follows to hear from the public after which FAA needs time to address the concerns raised during that comment period. After closure of that comment period, the FAA has up to 16 months to publish the Final Rule.
What (speculation)
- increased gross takeoff weight (via "power index")
- increased Vh (via power index)
- automated in-flight prop adjustment
- 4 seat max, but still only 1 passenger max (in combo with other changes, permitting 4 seats will put a lot more legacy certified aircraft within the scope of LSA - maybe even a Van's non-RV12 model).
- stall minimums - slight increase
Playing the waiting game
Waiting assumes:
- It will happen. Based on the FAA's public comments and the groups that are giving input into the rule making (e.g., EAA, LAMA) the odds of the changes are extremely high. When is likely 2 to 3 years.
- It will be meaningful. What the changes will be is very much up the air (sorry, couldn't resist). Although I love flying the RV12 I am renting, I really would like LSAs to add more weight without compromising performance for better crosswind handling. The current weight limit needlessly decreases safety.
PROS OF WAITING: Not locked into current rule limitations, resale value, increased weight = increased safety, more aircraft choices
CONS: May never happen, delay could be many years
Build now and Adapt Viable??
So this leads me to my question. If it will take me a couple of years to build an RV, LSA and Sport Pilot changes are likely occur during the tail end of the build or shortly after the build is complete
Will an RV12iS be able to take advantage of the changes via modification? Are competitor LSAs better suited for modification?
Questions:
- Can the current RV12iS structurally use a Rotax 915iS?
- With an upgraded engine such as the 135hp 915iS, can the current RV12iS structurally add hundreds of pounds of weight without too much of an issue. Fuel capacity may be the easiest to add to increase weight (e.g. is it viable to add wing tanks and make wings non-removable; increase fuselage fuel tank size)
Your thoughts on the current RV12iS's adaptability to the potential LSA/Sport Pilot changes - thanks!
Non-LSA side note: Among the most exciting things about MOSAIC was emphasized by the FAA acting commissioner at Oshkosh '19 - changes will include making it easier and less expensive for certified GA non-commercially used legacy aircraft to improve avionics (basically he said the current rules are unacceptable because they significantly impede improving GA safety with readily available tech - FAA flexibility would be offset by limitations on the updated aircraft's use - e.g., cannot be used commercially). Basically he indicated legacy certified will have the option to switch to experimental status for the purpose of avionics upgrades.
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