Sounds like a simple thing to define, and it was, in the past. Today we have people talking about the virtues of hybrid power and even a few projects being developed. This has opened up the possibility of having more than one ICE engine powering more than one electric motor driving one or more propellers. By the strict definition an electric motor is not an engine. A motor produces no power but can be do work with the power produced by the ICE (or turbine) engine.
Assume that it is desired to build an EAB or LSA using a single engine coupled to a generator/alternator which in turn drives 2, or more, independent motor/prop units, and recharges the batteries at the same time. The battery power is only enough for take off and climb to cruise altitude. The rest of the flight power is supplied by the fuel consumed by the ICE.
For the purposes of this thread I'd prefer to avoid debate about the definitions unless it is relevant to the main purpose of this thread which is:
How would the idea best be presented to the FAA to get a ruling that the plane is in fact a single engine aircraft? It would also be nice to get them to agree that because the BTBF of the engines is good enough to also consider letting an asymmetrical thrust plane to be flown without a twin engine rating.
Assume that it is desired to build an EAB or LSA using a single engine coupled to a generator/alternator which in turn drives 2, or more, independent motor/prop units, and recharges the batteries at the same time. The battery power is only enough for take off and climb to cruise altitude. The rest of the flight power is supplied by the fuel consumed by the ICE.
For the purposes of this thread I'd prefer to avoid debate about the definitions unless it is relevant to the main purpose of this thread which is:
How would the idea best be presented to the FAA to get a ruling that the plane is in fact a single engine aircraft? It would also be nice to get them to agree that because the BTBF of the engines is good enough to also consider letting an asymmetrical thrust plane to be flown without a twin engine rating.
