P-51 Mustang classifications?

[Chuck Gardner]

What is the percentage of airworthy Mustangs classed in Limited category versus Experimental category? Or, how many airworthy P-51s are Experimental?

[DenverWarbirdFan]

I have a follow up question...what determines which classification an airplane belongs to?

[John Dupre]

I have a follow up question...what determines which classification an airplane belongs to?

Don't forget that some Mustangs, notably the Cavalier types had Standard airworthiness categorization. Which means that they meet the basic certification of passenger carrying aircraft and can be used for private and commercial use without undue restriction.

My understanding of the Limited category is that it allowed for ex military aircraft to be certificated for limited commercial use, i.e. photo mapping, crop spraying etc. It was put into place for only a few years after WW2 so that the commercial system wouldn't be inundated with converted bombers as freighters or airliners. A Limited certification becomes void if the registration of the particular aircraft is ever cancelled.

The Experimental category has several sub categories such as exhibition, air racing, flight test and amateur built. It allows someone to certificate almost anything but with varying degrees of restriction, i.e. no flight over built up areas, or no IFR flying, no flight instruction or commercial use other than display or film work.

So for Mustangs it would depend on whether the aircraft was ever built or rebuilt in Standard category, whether it has been maintained in Limited category since 1947 or is Experimental for some reason. If you had a Cavalier certificated aircraft and restored it to original military configuration you would have to certificate it as Experimental since it would no longer meet the Cavalier authorized Standard configuration.

I stand by to be corrected, but gently, gently.

[skybolt2003]

Don't forget Restricted, such as Agricultural, aerial application etc.

[51fixer]

Limited is a form of Standard Airworthiness Category. Someone had to apply to the CAA (FAA now) and prove that it meet certain criteria. I believe the FAA shut down the Limited Category for new applications in the late 40s, early 50s.
It is treated the same as a Standard Category Aircraft for annuals and pilot abilities. All you need is a high performance sign off to be legal. The same as for a Bonanza or Mooney. To pilot one that is Experimental you need a Letter of Authorization or LOA issued by a FAA Designated examiner for the P-51. That is because it is over 800 horsepower.
Standard, a low time Private Pilot with a high performance sign off is legal to fly. Experimental you need a LOA.
Also with the Experimental you get more restrictions in the form of your Operating Limitations. This is a FAA issued form that limits how you operate the experimental aircraft. The Limited Category also issues an Operating Limitation sheet as well. The Limited Version is about a page. The one we got for the Spitfire Mk 18 is 6 pages. More pages, more restrictions.
The Limited P-51 cannot carry passengers or cargo for compensation or hire. That is where the Restricted Category comes in. The Restricted A/C still has operating limitations but those are able to do specific tasks- Fire Fighting, Photo Mapping, ect. They still can't carry passengers or cargo for hire though.
Rich

[Jack Cook]

I thought all the LOAs went out the door

[51fixer]

I thought all the LOAs went out the door

I don't remember the specific name currently used but a specific endorsement for each Exp Category A/C over a certain weight, horsepower or turbine powered is required IIRC. It used to be a LOA. And if you had 4 I believe, you could get an unlimited LOA and could then fly any type that an LOA was required with in limits of single engine or under 12,500 lbs , ect.
The unlimited LOA went away a number of years ago.
Rich

[Jack Cook]

I believe the was a date when your LOAs could be grandfathered in but
past that you had to get a check out again.

[quicksilvermustang]

I thought all the LOAs went out the door

I don't remember the specific name currently used but a specific endorsement for each Exp Category A/C over a certain weight, horsepower or turbine powered is required IIRC. It used to be a LOA. And if you had 4 I believe, you could get an unlimited LOA and could then fly any type that an LOA was required with in limits of single engine or under 12,500 lbs , ect.
The unlimited LOA went away a number of years ago.
Rich

They are called ETR's now (experimental type rating) it took the place of LOA's with the same "rules." Meaning any experimental A/C over 800 hp i believe is what the rule says. I dont know of any 51's in standard catagory, Im 99% sure they are all limited or experimental due to the paragraph proceeding note 1 in the type certificate data sheet