Try this link to the FAA's letter:
http://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/new ... ewsId=6262
In part, it reads "Certain type-certificated aircraft that meet the above criteria may also be operated with a light-sport pilot certificate." It doesn't say how type-certificated aircraft can be made eligible. Having said that, I understand that STCs would not be granted to an aircraft originally type-certificated with a gross weight greater 1320 pounds. If a plane had no-bounce gear installed and the gross weight raised to above 1320 pounds, I see no reason why the original gear couldn't be re-installed and cause the gross weight reduced to its original, LSA-eligible weight using a Form 337. There is no STC work being here, simply a reversion back to the aircraft's original type design. This particular work done to such a plane has no bearing on LSA rules.
Here's another link, this time from the EAA:
http://www.sportpilot.org/learn/lsa/sta ... craft.html
Which reads, in part:
"Aircraft which do not meet the definition of Light-Sport Aircraft: The following aircraft DO NOT qualify for operation by sport pilots because their gross weight, as originally certificated, is above the 1320 lb limit (1430 lb for seaplanes)"
The key words here are "originally certificated". There seems to be a good, reasoned and legal means of bringing back type-certificated aircraft back into the LSA-elgible fold.
When the LSA rules were first being written in response to the complaints about the limits of the sport pilot, I may have written on this list that we needed to be patient and another push to relax unneeded rules would occur again. Well, I hope everyone wrote in support of the latest proposal to expand the use of aircraft up to 180 horsepower but restricted to flying only one passenger in a maximum four seat plane having fixed gear. The medical certification exemption presented in a joint effort by the EAA and the AOPA is this the next step and thanks to our safety record, the FAA should have few complaints or worries.
If not, you have until September 10, 2012 to do this. Here's the link:
http://www.eaa.org/news/2012/2012-07-10_exemption.asp
We can all complain about government or we can act within our rights to redress our grievances by supporting the next step in the expansion of our freedom fly. It may be perfect but it's a step in the right direction. It worked once and it can work again if everyone simply spend 10 or 15 minutes on writing a note in support of the medical exemption.
My two cents in any event,
Carl