Why are some RV12's EAB and some ELSA?
 

I am looking to buy an RV12 and have been told I could run into ones that are registered as EAB or ELSA.

What are the differences in ownership/operation etc?

When I asked one owner of a RV12 about the Operating Limitations, he said there were none. Is that possible?

The main difference for you is that if the plane is registered as E-AB, you must hire an A&P to do the annual inspection (unless the builder does it). If it is registered as E-LSA, then you can do the annual inspection yourself after taking a 16 hour class and getting a repairman's certificate.
There must be operating limitations.
It it is wise to have a pre-buy inspection by someone like Vic Syracuse.

Builder's choice. To qualify as ELSA the aircraft must be built exactly per plans and all parts must be purchased from the kit manufacturer.
Some people prefer to make minor or major modifications during the build. Or in some cases they may already have an engine or avionics and prefer to install these as opposed to ordering new from Vans. The builder my opt for EAB so that he/she doesn't have to go to class to obtain the repairman certificate. EAB can be modified to take it out of the Light-Sport parameters. ELSA cannot. There can be a multitude of reasons.
EAB is not necessarily better or worse than ELSA. Just different.

Hey Mel -

Is it true that the classification at first Airworthiness is the only one that can ever be? Meaning, it's either S-LSA or E-LSA forever.

There's a conversation on some other forum about this, and I thought there was only one chance to select.

Thanks.

If it is EAB, it's forever. If it's ELSA, it's forever. If it's SLSA it may be changed to ELSA.

And if SLSA is changed to ELSA it is forever - no going back...

That?s actually not true. If you can get the manufacturer (Van?s) to do a full conformity inspection, and the aircraft hasn?t been changed in any way so that it does actually conform, then a new SLSA airworthiness certificate can be issued. Just not very practical.

Yep. Theoretically possible, probably not ever actually done.

There's no path from E-LSA to E-AB because E-LSA does not have a 51% amateur built requirement.

No one has answered this part of your question.

No it is not possible. Even SLAS's have operating limitations.

Perhaps he lost them.

Sorry, I missed that part of the question. Like Scott says, Operating Limitations are issued as part of the Airworthiness Certificate and must be in the airplane during any and all operations.