What is involved, and is it possible, to get a homebuilt aircraft certified as a standard single engine land classification and category?
A.Yes, theoretically it would be possible, provided you are able to show compliance with FAR part 23 for the airplane, and FAR part 33 for the engine, (and 35 for the prop). It is quite an extensive task to undergo Type Certification. The current system of certification was developed in the 1930’s, when a producer “Certified” a design, and made multiple copies. The builder had to show that the aircraft met the performance and design rules of Aero bulletin 7, the predecessor to today’s FAR part 23. Over the years, safety requirements increased as experience showed the need for additional safety certification in design. The type certification process has become much more extensive and expensive, however, and is not designed to make it economical to certify a “one-off” airplane, but rather to certify a prototype for a mass-production line, so that certification costs can be spread over many units of production. This is one reason why so few aircraft designs have been certified recently. T
