Non STC Modifications to certified aircraft??

[hunt175]

Hello
I am a new pilot / owner of a cessna 175 /w IO-470 continental (STC included) that has aqua 2200 floats. I want to replace the current prop (82") with a 88" seaplane prop. Apparently there is no STC for this however the IO-470 do support the seaplane prop when in a C180.

I would also like to have bigger floats but again there is a absence of STC's to cover most.

I would welcome some comments on possible options from the homebuilders.

The plane is currently in the US and I will import sometime in early spring. I have considered switching to owner maintence and I am wondering what would it take to convert it to experimental? And if this would make it easier to make modifications that STC's do not exist for?

Thanks

Paul
Ft. Mac, AB

[mmartin1872]

IS this stuff you could get "field approval" (form 337 in the states i believe) for? Then import into canada, in order to avoid the STC stuff. If it was possible to go this way, it is the way i would go, as it would keep your aircraft in the "normal" category, and not in the owner maintenance or homebuilt/experimental classification. And if the prop is approved on the engine already on different models of aircraft, you may have better luck finding a u.s. inspector willing to sign this stuff off. I just don't know if you are "allowed" to do this.

[hunt175]

Thanks for this

I will look into this ASAP. As I said the prop is approved on the C180 and my 175 has the same engine and mount. As for the floats, the airframes of that vintage are much the same and I would prefer 2870's.

I will post my findings.

[Jungle Jim]

If your prop is a C/S prop, you are SOL for getting it into the O/M category.

Jim

[mmartin1872]

If i understand Owner Maintenance also, is that the aircraft has to still be maintained in accordance with the type certificate of the aircraft, (as in you'd still need stc's and lstc's in order to do modifications to the aircraft.) The only category that you wouldn't need stcs and lstcs is the experimental/homebuilt category. but then you'd have to build 51% of the aircraft in order to get it into the experimental category. And Owner Maintenance, isn't able to be sold in the U.S. last I heard.

I'd still look into the 337's in the states, import the aircraft into Canada, and then I don't believe you'd need an stc or lstc for the mods that you did when it was an american aircraft.

But i may be way off base on the "way to do this." I just know I've been told that it is a hell of a lot easier to modify a US aircraft in the states, than it is to modify a canadian aircraft in Canada.

[Pavese]

I'd still look into the 337's in the states, import the aircraft into Canada, and then I don't believe you'd need an stc or lstc for the mods that you did when it was an american aircraft.

Any modification done in the US under a 337 which is not backed up with an STC must be removed before the aircraft can be granted a C of A Canada. Said differently, the aircraft must conform to the Type Certificate or the Type Certificate Modified by an STC.

Having recently imported an A/C this was one of the horror stories the DAI warned ahead of the time about getting trapped in. That and the different maintenance requirements for things like CS props etc. A local 182 buyer (importer) wound up buying a NEW CS prop. because the one on the plane was way out of date for overhaul (by CDN rules, not USA) and found not worth spending anything on.

COPA has a good importing reference document.

D

[Mike Gourd]

If i understand Owner Maintenance also, is that the aircraft has to still be maintained in accordance with the type certificate of the aircraft, (as in you'd still need stc's and lstc's in order to do modifications to the aircraft.) The only category that you wouldn't need stcs and lstcs is the experimental/homebuilt category. but then you'd have to build 51% of the aircraft in order to get it into the experimental category. And Owner Maintenance, isn't able to be sold in the U.S. last I heard.

I'd still look into the 337's in the states, import the aircraft into Canada, and then I don't believe you'd need an stc or lstc for the mods that you did when it was an american aircraft.

But i may be way off base on the "way to do this." I just know I've been told that it is a hell of a lot easier to modify a US aircraft in the states, than it is to modify a canadian aircraft in Canada.

STC's are not required for OM cat. If you bring the a/c into canada and then put it in OM category, you can do the import inspection yourself (an an owner done anual inspection) and a TC inspector will come and inspect the aircraft , to assure thet it is " safe to fly". This is the cheepest way to import an aircraft.

As Jim said ...fixed pitch prop only.
The only real disadvantage I see in OM is that the Americans will not allow it into the States.

Mike ( Sory about the double post...I didn't think the first one worked.)

[Mike Gourd]

If i understand Owner Maintenance also, is that the aircraft has to still be maintained in accordance with the type certificate of the aircraft, (as in you'd still need stc's and lstc's in order to do modifications to the aircraft.) The only category that you wouldn't need stcs and lstcs is the experimental/homebuilt category. but then you'd have to build 51% of the aircraft in order to get it into the experimental category. And Owner Maintenance, isn't able to be sold in the U.S. last I heard.

You do not need STCs for OM Category Aircraft.
If you want to import the A/C into OM cat, you will have to bring it into Canada BEFORE de-registering it. Then apply for registration. Put it into OM category and do an anual inspection. A TC inspector will come and look at the aircraft to affirm that it is "safe to fly". Then you may receive a "Special CofA Owner Maintenence Category".
This will by-pass the import inspection process (as you never get a regular Cof A) and save Thousands of dollars and much beaurocratic BS. I just imported a plane this way and the whole process cost about $500.

The only dis-advantage that I see is that the Americans will not allow you to fly in the USA.

As Jim pointed out .....Fixed pitch prop only. (Ground adjustable are OK)


Mike

[cgzro]

I'd still look into the 337's in the states, import the aircraft into Canada, and then I don't believe you'd need an stc or lstc for the mods that you did when it was an american aircraft.

337's will be accepted in Canada under the following circumstances.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/certi ... review.htm
So its not necessarily trivial and I'd check each 337 with your local TC guy before finalizing any purchase agreement.

[Old Dog Flying]

A friend finally received his CofA for a newly imported aircraft after a long hassle with TCCA over the prop. The one on the aircraft was not on the approved list (fixed pitch) however the owner of the Type Certificate confirmed that the prop was OK for use in the USA...however that did not satisfy TC and a new prop from the approved list was purchased to comply with the inspectors demands.