Transponder and Altimeter Approval -- VFR

[tomagin]

Going round and round with my local avionics guy and his referencing of the Orlando FISDO.

My RV8 has a D-180 and a back up Falcon non TSO Altimeter. I use the encoder feed from the D-180 to my GTX-330 TXP.

It is now clear I have no chance with the present encoder arrangement because of the non-TSO'd encoder. I'm ready top give up and put in a cheap encoder which meets TSO-C88 and press on.

How about the altimeter? I really hate to go and buy a $900 altimeter when I have the D-180 and the back up both within 10 ft.

What is the experience? I'm told by my radio guy I can just fly to South Florida and get the whole thing approved as is. Very frustrating dealing with the FAA!

If I have to replace both the encoder and altimeter might as well just certify to IFR.

Tom

 

[paxhia]

My experience is that the FISDO does not get involved. If your setup passes a regular VFR transponder check, you should be good to go. I don't understand his point.

 

[GHDZ]

Going round and round with my local avionics guy and his referencing of the Orlando FISDO.

My RV8 has a D-180 and a back up Falcon non TSO Altimeter. I use the encoder feed from the D-180 to my GTX-330 TXP.

It is now clear I have no chance with the present encoder arrangement because of the non-TSO'd encoder.  I'm ready top give up and put in a cheap encoder which meets TSO-C88 and press on.

How about the altimeter?  I really hate to go and buy a $900 altimeter when I have the D-180 and the back up both within 10 ft.

What is the experience? I'm told by my radio guy I can just fly to South Florida and get the whole thing approved as is.  Very frustrating dealing with the FAA!

If I have to replace both the encoder and altimeter might as well just certify to IFR.

Tom

Go to an avionics guy that knows what he is doing. Have you tried Central Florida Avionics at Leesburg (KLEE)? 

http://www.cflai.com/

 

[dynonsupport]

There have been a few discussions of this over the years here. The key FAR is 91.217, and how it's interpreted. Here's an example of a past thread on this topic:

http://dynonavionics.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1250192344/1#1

(search the forum for 91.217 to find a few more of them)

 

[JohnWF]

I also have the D-180. My question is how is the D-180 "adjusted" if it is in error more than the (I believe it is) 125-ft +/- for VFR use ? The steam gauge altimeter can be adjusted but if the D-180 can be I missed where there is an adjusting screw or somesuch. How?

 

[Roger_Lee]

Hi John,

Go into menu, to setup, then to altadj and push the + or - to correct the deviation. It should take less than a minute.

 

[tomagin]

Well in response to one of the replies I contacted Central Florida Avionics in Leesburg and they agree with my local shop that there can be no VFR TXP check without a TSOed encoder and altimeter. I was sent a copy of 91.215 and 91.217 with appropriate paragraphs highlighted. I am aware of the "OR" at the end of 91.217b that seems to imply para c is optional but they are entitled to their interpretation. Meanwhile I am somewhat concerned about flights I make which are illegal --- although everything functions perfectly.

 

[cmarbach]

The solution is to find a shop that deals with experimentals and is not ignorant to the facts that there is NO requirement for a TSO'd altimeter or encoder anywhere in the Regs. For example, Chelton has been in planes for almost 20 years this way getting IFR certified! Even the new Garmins in the Cessna skycatchers are not certified!

FYI, we are also an FAA certified shop that does IFR checks on experimentals and have done so for years....legally.

Check with Stein Bruch at Steinair.........

 

[swatson999]

Any recommendations for a shop in SoCal that is experienced in Experimental aircraft, so I can avoid this sort of non-problem when I go to get my system tested (soon, I hope...getting close to finishing up my build)?

TIA!

Steve

 

[dodsond]

I had no issuse with Jeff Landon at High Desert Avionics at WJF, just outside of Lancaster, CA.