|
|
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
<< Lancair Builders' Mail List >>
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>
Aaarrgh!
Everybody gets a different answer from da FAA. Certified in 1996, I used the
Small Airplane Directorate, Manufacturing Inspection Satellite Office here in
the Chicago area.
I asked for a test flight area that covered eastern Iowa, southern Wisconsin
and northern Illinois -- The inspector requested that I stay east of the
Mississippi so that he didn't have to contact another region -- So it was
written, so it was done. My friend Arnie (Lancair 360), located SW
Wisconsin, had to go thru the Minneapolis Office and used a DAR from Iowa
(another region), thus was limited to a 25 mile radius around his airport.
He got tired of doing steep turns.
During my inspection, the rep said that the purpose of the "no unnecessary
crew member" rule was to make sure I didn't endanger my wife, girl friend, or
both. He also said that if I ran into trouble, make sure the "necessary"
crew member had a clipboard strapped to their leg. He then commanded "stay
out of the O'Hare airspace." So it was written, so it was done.
I have 4 inch numbers on my plane, allowed to Experimental - Amateur Built
aircraft if your maximum cruise is less than 180 Kts. I always carry the
dictionary definition of "cruise" with me, since the FAA has failed to define
it. To "...drive, sail or fly at a constant speed to optimize efficiency..."
means about 55% power to me. Alas, I've never been challenged.
Recently, I had a Garmin 430 installed which, in our Chicago region requires
the FSDO to sign a 337 form, experimental aircraft or not, if you want to be
IFR legal. They would not allow my Rocky Mountain Instrument's encoder to
provide pressure altitude to the 430 since it only met TSO specs, but was not
TSO'd ("If it ain't certified, it ain't TSO'd"). They even questioned
whether my recent Altimeter/Transponder test was valid and "how could the
avionics shop sign it off?" using the RMI encoder. Of course, I reasoned
with them using impeccable logic -- Nowhere in the sign-off language is the
encoder addressed (check yours), it only requires the altimeter be accurate
and the transponder track the altimeter! Hah!
Well, I now have a new TSO'd encoder feeding my 430 and transponder and I
have the signed 337 form. So it was written, so it was done.
What does all this mean? Be not afraid to confront the FAA, be sane and
logical, raise not the roof nor scream unto the heavens, but prepare thyself
to grovel in the mud. Remember thy goal -- The Signature. So it was
written, so it was done.
Scott Krueger
N92EX
PS
Occam's razor cuts both ways. Einstein said "Everything should be made as
simple as possible, but not simpler."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
LML website: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair
Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
|
|