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04-28-2014, 08:10 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 1,614
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Do I really have to have a compass?
My vertical card compass is now in the panel looking pretty. It reads about 170 degrees off real life. I suppose I could put a correction card indicating the massive error.... but that might be embarrassing.
In this catergory (sic) that we operate in.... will the FAA zing me if I just don't have one?
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04-28-2014, 08:20 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
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The answer to your question is "No"; however, you do need a magnetic direction indicator. That can be included in you EFIS but does not have to be a wet compass.
Note, some inspectors insist on a wet compass but it is not required, per say.
__________________
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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04-28-2014, 09:25 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,768
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N941WR
The answer to your question is "No"; however, you do need a magnetic direction indicator. That can be included in you EFIS but does not have to be a wet compass.
Note, some inspectors insist on a wet compass but it is not required, per say.
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This requirement is only for IFR or night flight. For daytime VFR, no instruments are required.
__________________
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>
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04-28-2014, 10:38 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 745
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If you ever want to land at a class C or maybe even class B, they'll give you "heading vectors" to sequence you into traffic. Might maybe could get them in a military MOA too, although this possibility is more remote.
Just sayin
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04-28-2014, 10:46 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tampa (BKV)
Posts: 926
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I had this out recently with my DAR. For day VFR only he said he "might" entertain the lack of a wet compass...but if you're putting lights on it... absolutely no way he would allow it. I argued that I have the G3X system as well as the Dynon as backup...both with separate backup batteries. He said, backup batteries are often dead when you need them (which oddly enough just happened to me with TCW). I said, but I would have to lose my electrical system and the main battery and have two backup batteries go TU? He only had one word in response....lightning. I was sunk.
So, perhaps your DAR will feel differently but mine would not budge.
Now, if it happens to fall off after your inspection....well these things happen.
__________________
RV-8 Flying
1,235th flying RV8
SARL Race#95
SnF Homebuilt Judge
2015 Sun n Fun Kit Built Reserve Grand Champion
2015 Oshkosh Kit Built Champion
2015 Jeffco Kit Built Grand Champion
2014 Oshkosh Outstanding Workmanship Award
Broken Warrior of the Jarhead Clan
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04-28-2014, 10:48 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Warwickshire UK
Posts: 703
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170? is a gross error and indicates something amiss.
Assuming that you didn't check it inside a steel framed building, have you tried doing a survey with a hand held compass? Move it around in the vicinity of the panel and see if you can find the cause of the stray magnetic field.
Most purpose built instruments and avionics will be designed with a small compass-safe distance, but if you've mounted a portable GPS with batteries or something similar, it may not be as compass safe, but should be easy to pin down. If it is because some of the steel weldments or canopy frame etc has become permanently magnetised, you may be able to de-gauss it to an acceptable level.
It is potentially the most reliable instrument in the panel and it should be possible to get it working correctly.
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04-28-2014, 11:03 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 1,614
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compass lost it's way
Well, I have a great SIRS NAVIGATOR... and it worked just fine up on the post. But, being contrary... I took it out. Now I see traffic better. It is up for sale.
I put a used vertical card compass in the only hole left. Over on the right where the vacuum indicator was. (just yanked out all the vacuum system)
I think the proximity to the Sandia transponder right next to it... or structure nearby is swamping it. The little brass screwdriver in my tool box would probably be futile. Seeing as how I don't really go out in the dark anymore... especially with one engine... I might just leave it alone. Could always do a 360 and get out of trouble. The Grand Rapids mini is telling me which way I am headed, but is reporting a bunch of behind the scenes magnetometer errors. It is probably feeling as frustrated as the other compass. (being internal to the unit)
Just don't want to run afoul of a FSDO type with a badge and a bad headache. It would be my luck.
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04-28-2014, 11:09 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Posts: 3,932
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In Canada the requirement is for a compass that operates "independently of the aircraft electrical system". A Dynon D10A with internal backup battery meets that requirement, as all power is supplied by the internal backup battery in the event of a failure of the aircraft electrical system...
__________________
Rob Prior
1996 RV-6 "Tweety" C-FRBP (formerly N196RV)
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04-28-2014, 11:13 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: US
Posts: 2,251
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ColoRv
I had this out recently with my DAR. For day VFR only he said he "might" entertain the lack of a wet compass...but if you're putting lights on it... absolutely no way he would allow it. I argued that I have the G3X system as well as the Dynon as backup...both with separate backup batteries. He said, backup batteries are often dead when you need them (which oddly enough just happened to me with TCW). I said, but I would have to lose my electrical system and the main battery and have two backup batteries go TU? He only had one word in response....lightning. I was sunk.
So, perhaps your DAR will feel differently but mine would not budge.
Now, if it happens to fall off after your inspection....well these things happen.
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This is the kind of stuff that makes people despise the FAA. It's silly, pedantic and does nothing to improve safety or reliability. Lightning? Seriously?
My DAR didn't even bother to bring it up after seeing my panel (SV1000 and D-6), and rightly so.
The fact that people get aircraft signed off with "wet compasses" they bought at Target taped to the dash (which then "fall off" later) is an indication that certain inspectors are being ridiculous in their "interpretation" of the rules.
The rule says "a magnetic direction indicator", period. An EFIS with an AHRS should be sufficient in *anyone's* book.
Shees.
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04-28-2014, 11:19 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: AOTP
Posts: 192
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ColoRv
I had this out recently with my DAR. For day VFR only he said he "might" entertain the lack of a wet compass...but if you're putting lights on it... absolutely no way he would allow it [...] So, perhaps your DAR will feel differently but mine would not budge.
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I'm grateful that my DAR was familiar with 91.205 (applicable to standard cat) and did not try to make policy. What if he said he wouldn't sign you off without weather radar?
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Nauga
2004 RV-4
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