Soloing a student in a single place

[pierre smith]

Hi everybody,
I'm a first-time poster here but I can't seem to get a straight answer even from the FAA. Here's my question for you other CFI's on here:

I have an RV6A that I built and I want to give a friend dual in it. That's allowed as long as I don't charge for it, but he then wants me to sign him off to solo his own Zenith 601 Experimental single place airplane. The FAA contends that it's OK for me to give him the dual and sign him off for solo in MY airplane but that he cannot fly his own airplane until after he has his PPL.
I think that is wrong (not correct). FAR 61.87(c) states that the training can be in a SIMILAR airplane AND FAR61.195(Gii) says that if it's a single place, that the training has to be in the same category and class.

What say you CFI's? Have any of you guys had this scenario?
Regards, Pierre

[Howard]

I believe you CAN sign him off for solo, but my question is, WHY? By doing so you accept a lot of potential liability.

[bluesideup]

I think you're right on the solo issue. But the first respondser has a good point. Why take on the extra risk. Also, with the FAA it may be best to go with the flow on the small issues. You want to pick your battles with them very carefully.