I am thinking that any VSO in an Ercoupe is superior to the no-VSO that was defined by ERCO when delivering the plane. To say it again. The discussion is always getting mixed up between TSO instruments, which we should not have any in our Ercoupe, when we follow the rules and the better than TSO standard of the original installation. Which would be any VSI instrument. The common belive is that TSO is a quality measurement. My researches showed that it is not. It is an expensive way of following a standard, that can be obsolete or worse than modern products. I am saying that because we kept replacing TSO'd airspeed meters that turned out to be throw away items, barely fixable. Using a modern non TSO instrument was finally soving teh problem. Hartmut
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:46:07 -0500Subject: [ercoupe-tech] I asked AOPA about non-TSO instruments/avionics. Here is their replyl Hello Dan,Thanks for contacting AOPA's Pilot Information Center!There is no requirement that you use TSO'd equipment. That said, however, if parts are non-TSO'd a mechanic will have to sign off on each part installed that it is at least as good as, if not better than the TSO. Unless a mechanic manufactures the part himself, chances are he won't sign off on it because there is no way of knowing.Non-TSO'd parts and equipment are primarily for use in experimental aircraft because builders have the freedom to perform maintenance without the help of an A&P.I recommend you stick with TSO'd equipment unless you can find a mechanic to signoff on the parts being superior to the standard parts.If you have further questions, feel free to call us at 800/872-2672.Best regards,Sean Collins, Aviation Technical SpecialistAOPA Government Affairs -- Pilot Information CenterTel: 800.872.2672 or 301.695.2000Web: www.aopa.org _________________________________________________________________ Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_sharelife_012008
