FSDO/DAR inspection

[Dan_E_Root]

What functional tests or calibrations must be documented prior the FAA/DAR airworthiness inspection?

Something I saw the other day indicated that taxi tests should be completed, but I've not been able to confirm that in an official publication. I see the transponder should be checked, but not necessarily prior to inspection.

[JonJay]

I just had mine. I would say it depends on the DAR. I visited with my DAR on the phone and asked a lot of questions about what his expectations where. He had the attitude that if I was asking, I was engaged and concerned and he was very willing to work with me. The biggest thing is to have your paper work.
Your transponder does not need to be checked. It will need to be checked and signed off by an avionics shop prior to flying into airspace requiring its use, according to my DAR. He did not ask about taxi tests, but I had done them.
Good luck. Mine went smoothly. First flight, weather permitting, tomorrow.

[RV6_flyer]

Originally Posted by JonJay

Your transponder does not need to be checked. It will need to be checked and signed off by an avionics shop prior to flying into airspace ...

Read FAR 91.411 and 91.413. IF you have the equipment in the airplane, it needs to be tested every 24 calendar months. Yes this is something we must pay for and is part of the cost to fly in the air space.

IF you take the equipment OUT of the airplane for the inspection, it cannot be checked as it is missing. Most DAR's would rather the equipment be removed than have a placard saying "In Op".

[JonJay]

Originally Posted by RV6_flyer

Read FAR 91.411 and 91.413. IF you have the equipment in the airplane, it needs to be tested every 24 calendar months. Yes this is something we must pay for and is part of the cost to fly in the air space.

IF you take the equipment OUT of the airplane for the inspection, it cannot be checked as it is missing. Most DAR's would rather the equipment be removed than have a placard saying "In Op".

My DAR did not take an issue with it, only told me it was a requirement to have it certified prior to entering airspace that would require it. Of the dozens of first flights I have witnessed, none brought in an portable avionics shop to test their transponders and all had them installed for the first flight. Non were placarded that I know of.
You might be right, but I am flying my 6 for its first flight tomorrow, with its uncertified, unplacarded, transponder, just like I dont know any different. Hope the Fed's arent watching these posts! I will fly my airplane to the nearest shop when I get the hours flown off, because as it stands right now, I can not find a shop that I am legal to fly into until my 40 hours are up due!

[johnp]

fwiw, in 2001 i bought a c310 out of annual. the previous owner ferried it to my a&p/ia for annual. to make a long story short, there
was a gear collapse incident (while taxiing) on the first flight out of the chute. faa interviewed me & the comment was made that even though the xpndr was past inspection, since i hadn't flown in any airspace that required it, i would not be cited. don't know if this is sop or i just got lucky, but it happened.

[kentb]

Originally Posted by RV6_flyer

Read FAR 91.411 and 91.413. IF you have the equipment in the airplane, it needs to be tested every 24 calendar months. Yes this is something we must pay for and is part of the cost to fly in the air space.

IF you take the equipment OUT of the airplane for the inspection, it cannot be checked as it is missing. Most DAR's would rather the equipment be removed than have a placard saying "In Op".

91.411 is an IFR requirement and you don't need that for first flight.
91.413 Does not apply unless you turn your transponder to ALT. I have been flying my in the ON position and have not used ATC so far. 10 months and counting.

Check with you inspector, but mine didn't require taxi test or even the engine to have been started. If I remember right I did make a log entry (under his direction) that the ELT had been tested (the direction for testing come with the ELT). He also wanted me to have a conditional inspection checklist that I had gone through before he came indicating that I had completed each task. I think that this was just his way of doing things and is not a requirement of the FAA.

The main thing is to talk to the DAR and see what he wants. After all it's his autograph that you are after.

Kent

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by JonJay

I am flying my 6 for its first flight tomorrow,

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!

Mike

[RV6_flyer]

Sec. 91.413

"ATC transponder tests and inspections.

(a) No persons may use an ATC transponder that is specified in 91.215(a), 121.345(c), or Sec. 135.143(c) of this chapterunless, within the preceding 24 calendar months, the ATC transponder has been tested and inspected and found to comply with appendix F of part 43 of this chapter; and " ...



If you have the equipment installed, it must be tested and inspected to use it.

I am a DAR. I expect the inspection and test to be done when I get there. If it is not, you cannot legally use the transponder till it is.

See FAR 91.213 Inoperative Instruments and equipment.

FAR 91.215 ATC Transponder and altitude reporting equipment and use.

If you want me to do the initial airworthiness inspection of your aircraft and it has a transponder installed, I expect that it will have had 91.411 / 91.413 completed (depending on IFR or VFR Day Only limitations that are in the Operating Limitations I am issuing) before I see the airplane.

If the transponder is installed and it is not tested and inspected, I will tell you what you read above that you cannot legally fly the airplane and use the transponder till it has been tested and inspected.

Yes there are ways that you can operate the airplane without having the transponder tested and inspected. I have told you what you need to do if you do not have it tested.

If there is some way that you can fly using a transponder in your RV aircraft that has not been tested and inspected in the preceeding 24 calendar months, please show me how with a link to the data.

[tin man]

Its my understanding that if it is not on the MEL list and you are not flying in airspace that requires it you may simply label it inop and pop the appropriate ckt breaker.
Tom

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by kentb

91.413 Does not apply unless you turn your transponder to ALT. I have been flying my in the ON position and have not used ATC so far. 10 months and counting.
Kent

Kent... the real disadvantage of this approach is that with no ALT report the TCAS system will not work on any large planes heading your way...

If you are operating anywhere near a busy airport with commercial flights this may not be a good idea from a safety (whatever the legality) point of view.

gil in Tucson - 20 miles from the center of Class C airspace