Experimental Aircraft?

As Technical Advisor, Mark Manning brings with him over 38 years of aviation experience. He has performed maintenance on over 35 different types of aircraft and has flown more than 25 different models of aircraft.

Q: I am looking at restoring an old Cub but am thinking about a Rotax engine, which would mean the airplane would need to be listed as Experimental instead of certified. I have also heard that Experimental aircraft have a “fly off period.” What are the pros and cons of Experimental aircraft, and how does this “fly off period” impact the certificate?

Martin M.

A: With the question of...