The AULA SeaRey Issue
Some industry "experts" have suggested that SeaReys cannot be registered in Canada as Advanced Ultralights. This is certainly not the case.
Older SeaReys continue
to operate in Canada as
Advanced Ultralights.
SeaReys continue
to operate and to be newly registered in Canada under the
Amateur Built
classification with no restrictions.
Shortly after Y2K a registration issue arose with the 13
Canadian SeaReys registered as
Advanced Ultralights.
Transport Canada
found two AULA SeaReys that did not
comply with the design standard. (Advanced Ultralights have a
Max Gross Weight of 1232 lbs.) Further investigation revealed
that there was no way to determine the compliance of current
AULA SeaReys
without inspecting and weighing them.
In 2004, after consulting with the kit manufacturer and CLA, Transport
Canada designated three new
AULA SeaRey types:
SeaRey-80,
SeaRey-95
and SeaRey-115
(designated by Rotax engine hp.)
These three AULA types have maximum empty weights of:
842 lbs,
834.5 lbs
and 824.5 lbs
respectively. (The kit must also be modified to incorporate a gascolator
and castellated nuts on many moving parts.) In 2005 the old AULA SeaRey
registration criteria was cancelled and all
AULA Seareys
were inspected,
weighed by an AME or SeaRey dealer and a new "Statement of
Conformity" issued
by the kit manufacturer. The few that did not meet the weight
requirements were eventually registered as
Amateur Built aircraft.
Purchasers of
older
AULA
registered SeaReys should continue to be able to
operate the aircraft with at least an Ultralight Pilot Licence and with the
incumbent weight and flexibility restrictions inherent in the
AULA classification.
Purchasers of
the new SeaRrey LSX kit with its higher empty weight
(notwithstanding what you may read on the Transport Canada website) will
not receive legal approval for registration as an AULA
because it cannot meet
AULA
criteria.
In Canada,
Amateur Built
is definitely the most appropriate registration route to take for new
Seareys.
Although there is no Canadian category for the new factory-built SLSA SeaRey "Sport" and SeaRey "Elite", these aircraft can be registered in Canada with a special type certificate.