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I also believe the annual re-certification inspection still needs an A&P signoff, regardless (somebody correct me if I'm wrong here). I believe there are also certain operational restrictions with homebuilts that aircraft built under a production authorization don't have, such as airspace where they CAN'T be flown (again, I may be wrong).
Nobody clearly understands the FAA (even the FAA) but there is reasoning behind most of the madness!
If you have a repairman's certificate, then indeed you can do the annual condition inspection on the airframe to which the repairman's certificate applies (only that one N-number airframe and no other). No A&P or IA ever needs to touch or lay eyes on that aircraft.
As part of the licensing process, the FAA rep that inspects and approves the aircraft will determine the operational restrictions that apply to that aircraft. An aircraft like one of Van's RVs, properly constructed and equipped, will have no restrictions placed on it once the fly-off period is successfully completed--it could fly and do anything a C-182 could do with the exception of being used commercially.
There are many people in the EAA who know very well what all the homebuilt rules are and can clarify any which are confusing.
PS. I believe this is my 500th post to this forum--wahoo. Even though I may have corrected Carl in some common misconceptions about homebuilding, my meager 500 posts pale with his 2500+ posts of genuinely excellent advice and sage words of experience. Thanks to Carl and Chuck and Kirk and Gary and Jeff and ...
Its truly a pleasure sharing information with you guys and gals.
