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That
really *&(&ing sucks. Just goes to show ya, we rarely make
progress or succeed because of our government.......if we are to progress and
succeed it usually is in spite of our government. I have those same lights
and they are REALLY Kewl and better than the Whelens, IMHO. I really
resent this type of head in the ground bureaucracy. GEEEEESH. Can't
these guys occasionally stay at a Holiday Inn Express????
All
the best,
Chris
Christopher Barber
Attorney
and Counselor at Law
"Serving
the needs of Senior Texans"
Barber Law
Firm
10827 Tower Bridge
St.
Houston, Texas
77075-5032
281-464-LAWS
(5297)
CBarber@TexasAttorney.net
www.TexasAttorney.net
Begin forwarded message:
Date: December 16, 2005
10:48:39 PM EST
Subject: COZY: DAR Update on my
LED/Strobe lights for Phase II
For all of you who have
read my posts since June 05 relating to my very tough DAR on my wingtip
LED/strobe lights, here is an update.
As you will recall, I have
non-TSO'ed lights from gs-air.com. They are really cool, bright and uses 4
amps for two strobes and four position lights. My DAR would not sign off
Phase II with those lights with the language of "Unless appropriately
equipped for night or IFR flight, ..." which would allow me to make a
logbook entry to fly at night. My DAR would only give me Phase II with VFR
day only restriction because he interpreted the words "approved
anti-collision light system" in FAR 91.205(c) to mean only approved by the
Administrator. My DAR's boss in the Louisville FSDO office sent me an email
saying that their position is that I must have "approved" anti-collision
lights, i.e., TSO or PMA or a field approval. Since PMA does not exist for
experimentals and Atlanta or any DER would not give me a field app roval, I
was told that if I wanted to flight at night, all of which night equipment
is required for IFR, I must have TSO'ed wingtip lights. Nat and everyone
else said to get another DAR, so the following is my report.
I have
talked with EAA in Oshkosh (Joe Norris who was very helpful) and they put my
in touch with a DAR in Illinois in the MIDO office, whose boss/Prinicipal
Investigator (PI) is in Vadalia, OH. Vadalia is in my region or district.
They told me today that although my analysis of the FARs and evidence
showing that my wingtip lights meet or exceeds the airworthiness standard
for approved position/anti-collision lights, that they would have issued me
the above quoted language if I had originally applied for my airworthiness
certificate from them, BUT that since I started out in FSDO, I am subject to
their mercy as I can not escape from the FSDO office in Louisville. So,
there you have it. I must change my very cool, slick LEDs for old technology
which draws about 15 amps (strobes and nav lights) from Whelen as they are
the only TSO'ed lights that I have found. Of course, Whelen lights are
almost $900. So, the little man has lost and the moral to this story is GO
TO THE NATIONAL EAA TO GET A DAR FROM YOUR LOCAL MIDO OFFICE BEFORE YOU
APPLY FOR AN AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE, even if a local FSDO DAR was
recommended to you. After my problem with my lights, need I say more. All of
you guys still building (which I am after flying 25 hours--you know, still
tweaking) MUST learn from my mistake. Don't get involved with the FSDO
office as you will be in a world of hurt ($$$$) very fast.
Matt
Bunch
Lexington, KY
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