Originally posted by AKIron
Your purchase sparked my interest HiTech (not that my finances or my wife would support such a purchase any time soon) and I did a bit of reading.
Apparently one of the big attractions for homebuilts is that the builder is allowed to do any/all maintenance on the plane. Does that also apply to the purchaser?
Anyhow, great luck with 'er.
(the ever envious) Iron
Iron,
Nope the purchaser must use a regualr A&P mechanic for maintenance. Only the builder can maintain it himself. You must also provide documentation to the FAA to show that you ARE in fact the builder as well. In the case of a home built there is a break in that the owner can hire just an A&P for annual inspections instead of an IA A&P like certificated aircraft. It would be a bit cheaper that way.
I can also recomend that the owner do what is known as an owner assisted annual inspection. This means that the owner operates as a mechanics assistant to the inspector mechanic and that can save you PILES of money as you will handle the minor operations and cut down the time (hours) your mechanic would otherwise charge you. Besides you get a FAR BETTER idea of the condition and performance of your plane that way. You learn what makwes it tick and will recognise a problem faster than the average stick puller would. That can save you moey again.
Did that help?
PS I have my A part of the A&P now and will get the P at the end of March.
