Vee-tail
However the aircraft has to be a simple single engine non-commercial type below 2730 kgs, it has to have a type specific maintenance programme, (generally only available to French & German aircraft), and you need to be working in the "Uncontrolled environment". Your ARC will need to be renewed every year, but this can be done by ANY part G & I company in ANY EU member state. (Choose the state with the lowest regulatory costs)
Much of your time will be spent on keeping documentation updated, it is not for nothing that EASA considered it advisable to create a separate part G organisation to manage the paperwork. Indeed if your aircraft is not a very simple type, don't even think of going the uncontrolled route, it's not worth the hassle. But for some aircraft it is possible for a competant owner to carry out 50 hour and Annual checks using the detailed instructions (what to do and when to do it) in the type specific maintenance programme. Always keeping an eye on the pilot/owner task list in Appendix VIII Like I said, it's not for everyone, and you still have to get a LAE to sign up the ADs, and deal with items of servicing beyond your level of competance. Above all don't just sit back and moan about part M, it gives possibilities for perfectly legal creative interpretation of the regulations.
Could you (or somebody) elaborate on this, and if possible document it on a website?
I fly a TB20 (currently N-reg) which is French, and wonder if your "type specific maintenance" bit applies to that. I do my own 50hr checks (with an A&P/IA but that's irrelevant as all the work done is within FAA pilot privileges) and the maintenance manual contains a long list of items to do. The TB20 has very few ADs to check in between Annuals.
Could I do my own Annuals too?
Managing the paperwork is no rocket science. The problem I see is a political one: some work does have to be done by a company with tools (e.g. landing gear work, needs jacks) and airfield political considerations dictate that one needs to keep in with a company to get them to do this sort of stuff.
Pilot maintenance saves a lot of money, for those able and so inclined. Under G-reg I used to pay £500+VAT for the 50hr checks, so that is £1000-1500/year, and the Annual costs £2500 but takes only about 1 man-week to do.