All,
I asked my A&P to install a GRT autopilot system during the last condition inspection in May. I provided the GRT instructions, mounting brackets, and servos from GRT. After two weeks of labor and many calls to GRT since the drawings didn't match my 9A well, he had the servos mounted. I asked him to stop at that point since the labor was twice as much as the cost of the servos and brackets. He cut the labor cost in half for me thankfully.
I ran the wires before the A&P began installing the servos, so now I'm at the point of connecting it electrically, switches, re-connecting control surfaces, and testing, etc.. A guy at GRT said the install normally takes 1-2 days and they normally do them in a half day. GRT offered to complete the install for me. I'll be moving to MI in June, so I may check back with them.
My issue is my A&P IA told me in 35 years he has never only partially installed any system and does not want to leave it as a partial install. He's never seen that done before and doesn't think it's allowed or could be entered in a log book. I checked with another A&P and EAA who said it's no problem. EAA also told me I can do anything I want with my plane as long as an A&P satisfactorily completes the condition inspection each year. Question is, has anyone seen anything in the FAR or have other suggestions I could cite to my A&P to ease his mind? I think he's concerned about liability, but if it's documented as an incomplete installation and not to be operated until it's satisfactorily and completely installed, I don't believe he will have any liability concerns. He disconnected the control surfaces before he let me fly it after the condition inspection, and he wants to either take out the servos or complete the install. He also still has my log books.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. He's a good A&P, but he rarely works on experimental aircraft, mine is the first, and he's only done routine maintenance I think on one other recently.
Tim
I asked my A&P to install a GRT autopilot system during the last condition inspection in May. I provided the GRT instructions, mounting brackets, and servos from GRT. After two weeks of labor and many calls to GRT since the drawings didn't match my 9A well, he had the servos mounted. I asked him to stop at that point since the labor was twice as much as the cost of the servos and brackets. He cut the labor cost in half for me thankfully.
I ran the wires before the A&P began installing the servos, so now I'm at the point of connecting it electrically, switches, re-connecting control surfaces, and testing, etc.. A guy at GRT said the install normally takes 1-2 days and they normally do them in a half day. GRT offered to complete the install for me. I'll be moving to MI in June, so I may check back with them.
My issue is my A&P IA told me in 35 years he has never only partially installed any system and does not want to leave it as a partial install. He's never seen that done before and doesn't think it's allowed or could be entered in a log book. I checked with another A&P and EAA who said it's no problem. EAA also told me I can do anything I want with my plane as long as an A&P satisfactorily completes the condition inspection each year. Question is, has anyone seen anything in the FAR or have other suggestions I could cite to my A&P to ease his mind? I think he's concerned about liability, but if it's documented as an incomplete installation and not to be operated until it's satisfactorily and completely installed, I don't believe he will have any liability concerns. He disconnected the control surfaces before he let me fly it after the condition inspection, and he wants to either take out the servos or complete the install. He also still has my log books.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. He's a good A&P, but he rarely works on experimental aircraft, mine is the first, and he's only done routine maintenance I think on one other recently.
Tim