Thorp Air Command - T18.net

My question can be applied to all experimental
aircraft, not just my fathers T18/S18
His first T18 was registered and built by him,
our second was built by both of us, and I am
listed as the manufacturer / builder.

It flies great and when I sell it someday, the liability is all mine.
Even if the buyer signs all kinds of legal papers,
the family of the passenger can sue me.

Can I change the airworthiness certificate and
N-Number and have it owned by an LLC to protect me
from liability ? Basically the equivalent of buying a
non-registered and completed experimental and
getting new papers.
Any thoughts ??

Bill Hymen N529BH
http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/ph ... 19128.html

That question was covered in the Feb Kitplanes article "Ask the DAR", once registered the manufacture/builder is set and can never be changed. That said, you can transfer ownership to a LLC but you will still be listed as the manufacture/builder.

_________________
Bruce Finney
N18JF T-18C #262
Yelm, WA USA

You are correct in the second paragraph- the surviving family 'could sue'. The reality is anyone can sue anyone. In the history of experimental aircraft I've been told that there have not been any successful suits against builders. I do know some of my dad's friends that disassembled the airplane and sold the parts. I look at this way-in law suits people go after 'big money' (insurance or warren buffet) and "gross negligence" would have to be proven. Yes it would cost money for a defense- but it's back to the 'big money' issue. File this in the 'for what it's worth' section.