Of course there are plenty of genuine amateur builders but where the factory gets involved with kits it gets a bit grey - you can pay others to do the 51% for you for example.
Not quite. You can only “pay others”, ie., commercial assistance, up to 49% of the build, that’s regulatory. The builder must still prove that “amateurs” built the remaining 51%. And with the HX I’m pretty positive this will be extensively reviewed from what I’ve learned.
I'd love to see the similar list for the HX50, will that ever be published?
There was an initial list sent to the FAA, UKCAA, TCCA, and one other CAA which was accepted as complying with the major portion requirement. Once the actual production process is finalized, I anticipate a formal list will be available at that time.
I still believe the 51% plan for owners to build/assemble an HX50 is smoke and mirrors to utilise a regulatory loophole -
Not at all. You appear to be hung up on there is only one regulatory path to build an aircraft and that the HX is using some sort of shortcut around that one path. There are a multitude of regulatory paths one can follow build an aircraft, each separate with their own specific requirements, and each resulting in the issuance of an AWC based on their own separate merits. None of these paths are connected or provide loopholes or shortcuts between them, ie., E/AB.
If a Special Airworthiness Certificate is required for each aircraft, how can you say there is no requirement for it to be airworthy?????
Because the term “airworthy” has a defined legal application and definition: conforms to its approved design and is in a condition for safe operation. Since an E/AB has no approved design the term airworthy cannot be used. As I mentioned earlier, the proper regulatory term for non-approved aircraft is: condition for safe operation. There are a number of regulatory refences on this so no pin head dancing required.
What plans are there for type conversion to the HX for pilots? Is there a factory training system ? Will Hill have a DTO?
As I understand each HX comes with a pilot training school and field maintenance training school. For the US, a pilot will only need a rotorcraft rating as there are no type requirements that I know of for the HX.