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01-08-2010, 01:29 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ankeny, IA
Posts: 210
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Whiskey compass required with EFIS?
Is a whiskey compass required when you have an EFIS? What if the EFIS doesn't have a magnetometer (i.e., TruTrak)?
Thanks,
Matthew
Last edited by foka4 : 01-08-2010 at 01:30 PM.
Reason: typo
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01-08-2010, 01:53 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,295
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What is the aircraft's mission? Day VFR, Night VFR, IFR?
__________________
"What kind of man would live where there is no daring? I don't believe in taking foolish chances but nothing can be accomplished without taking any chance at all." - Charles A. Lindbergh
Jamie | RV-7A First Flight: 7/27/2007 (Sold)
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01-08-2010, 02:01 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
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What EFIS? The regs simply require a "Magnetic Direction Indicator" or something like that.
Many of the EFIS's (EFII?) have this built in (Dynon, GRT, etc), so no whiskey compass is required, regardless of the type of flight (Day, night, IFR, etc.). However, it is up to you to design and fly with whatever you are comfortable with.
PS. Try the "search" button, this is a very common question.
__________________
Bill R.
RV-9 (Yes, it's a dragon tail)
O-360 w/ dual P-mags
Build the plane you want, not the plane others want you to build!
SC86 - Easley, SC
www.repucci.com/bill/baf.html
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01-08-2010, 02:45 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ankeny, IA
Posts: 210
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Required Equipment
I think the FARs list a compass as required equipment for VFR and IFR flight. My mission is IFR cross country, but based on my understanding of the regs, a compass is required equipment even for a NORDO day VFR cruiser.
The TruTrak EFIS system does not need (nor use) a magnetometer for orientation in flight, so any indication of direction is based on ground track rather than compass heading. (Any discussion on the efficaciousness of such a setup is probably better posted in the "never-ending debates" section of this forum.)
So, it would seem a whiskey compass (or other heading indicating device capable of displaying magnetic heading) is required when using the TruTrak EFIS.
M
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01-08-2010, 02:47 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ankeny, IA
Posts: 210
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EFIS and compass
I searched around on this one and didn't find anything. If anyone is familiar with a thread that addresses this question definitively, please post a link or send me a PM.
Thanks,
Matthew
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01-08-2010, 02:55 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
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Matthew,
Try reading this thread:
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...tic+instrument
Again, a "Magnetic direction indicator" is all that is required not a whiskey compass. Heck, it is my understanding that some of the more advance airliners don't even have a whiskey compass any more.
__________________
Bill R.
RV-9 (Yes, it's a dragon tail)
O-360 w/ dual P-mags
Build the plane you want, not the plane others want you to build!
SC86 - Easley, SC
www.repucci.com/bill/baf.html
Last edited by N941WR : 03-24-2010 at 07:32 AM.
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01-08-2010, 03:15 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ankeny, IA
Posts: 210
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N941WR
Matthew,
Try reading this thread:
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...tic+instrument
Again, a "Magnetic direction indicator" is all that is required not a whiskey compass. Heck, it is my understanding that some of the more advance airliners don't even have a shiskey compass any more.
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Thanks. Actually, I should have been a little more specific. I saw a thread or two pertaining to the Dynon, but it has a magnetometer. I haven't seen a thread in this forum indicating whether a TruTrak-equipped aircraft needs a compass.
My best guess is that a separate compass (magnetic direction indicator) is required for flying IFR with a TruTrak EFIS. If I find out anything more, I'll be sure to inform this thread.
M
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01-08-2010, 04:47 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 2,473
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The fact of the matter is that is varies depending on some DAR's and some FSDO's. I think many FSDO's have settled on the fact taht a Whisky Compass is required, but I still hear now and again that some DAR's do not. So, right now at least, there is no hard and fast answer.
My 2 cents as usual!
Cheers,
Stein
PS, Bill...which airliners do not have compasses in them? Personal curiosity! I figured the 787 and the new Sparky's (Airbus) are some of the most advanced out there....and they have a whisky compass in 'em.
Last edited by SteinAir : 01-08-2010 at 04:52 PM.
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01-08-2010, 05:35 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,769
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This has been discussed at length at our DAR seminars. The regs require a "magnetic direction indicator" for 91.205 operations. For experimental amateur-built that means at night and/or IFR. The Dynon magnetometer meets this requirement. For daytime VFR nothing is required.
A "course direction indicator" does not meet this regulation. i.e. A magnetic direction indicator will indicate a direction without movement of the aircraft. A course direction indicator will not.
Some DARs may require a whiskey compass. That is their prerogative. An inspector may require more than the regs call for in the name of safety.
__________________
Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
Last edited by Mel : 01-08-2010 at 06:16 PM.
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01-08-2010, 05:56 PM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 115
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Ask your D.A.R.
I put a wet compass in my panel because my D.A.R. said it was required despite the fact that I have a remote magnatometer with my Dynon EFIS which seems to be very accurate. I did not enter a debate with him about this. The compass is extremely erratic and totally unreliable. That's why I have it way over on the right side of the panel. 
__________________
Jerry Carter
RV-8A sold
RV-7
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