|
|
Posted for "Steve Richard" <steve@oasissolutions.com>:
Brent,
Does your e-mail mean that the following document (supposedly from the EAA)
is all wrong (see attached full document)?:
Equipping a Homebuilt for IFR Operations Provide by the EAA at the request
of Blue Mountain Avionics.
In order for the aircraft to be approved for IFR operations, the OpLims must
contain the following or a similarly worded statement: "After completion of
phase I flight testing, unless appropriately equipped for night and/or
instrument flight in accordance with ? 91.205, this aircraft is to be
operated under VFR, day only."
What about TSO's?
Another question to be answered is what, if any, of the equipment needs to
be "TSO'ed". In order to address this question, it's helpful to understand
what a "TSO" is. TSO stands for Technical Standard Order, which is defined
in 14 CFR Part 21, section 21.601(b)(1) as "..a minimum performance standard
for specified articles (for the purpose of this subpart, articles means
materials, parts, processes, or appliances) used on civil aircraft." As you
can see from this definition, a TSO is actually a performance standard to
which an article can be manufactured. When someone says an article is "TSO'
ed", what they really mean is that the unit was manufactured under a TSO
authorization. Section 21.601(b)(2) says, "A TSO authorization is an FAA
design and production approval issued to the manufacturer of an article
which has been found to meet a specific TSO". You'll note that the TSO and
TSO authorization deal specifically with design and manufacture, and have
nothing to do with installation or operation. Now we have an idea what a TSO
is, but we still haven't answered the question of whether or not our
instruments and avionics in a homebuilt need to be "TSO'ed". Our OpLims
state that we have to equip the aircraft in accordance with 91.205, and
91.205 lists the minimum equipment required, but nowhere is there mention of
a requirement for TSO'ed equipment. Thus, the answer is NO, the instruments
and equipment installed in your homebuilt under the requirements of 91.205
are not required to be "TSO'ed"
You say: When the FAA says "altimeter" they have a very specific thing in
mind. That "thing" is defined in the Technical Standards Orders (TSOs).
Where is the linkage in the reg's or other pronouncements which link
'altimeter' to TSO for a Part 91 operator?
I'm getting close to a decision on my panel, your input is appreciated.
[Steve Richard]
|
|