That's why we carry weapons officers on board.
----- Original Message ----- From: kgassert To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 7:18 PM Subject: [ercoupe-tech] Re: altimeters What it means is that you should have been looking out the window instead of looking at the altimeter. Kevin1 --- In [email protected], Caliendo Dan <djcalie...@...> wrote: > > Good point, John; but does that mean I'm not to blame if I hit the > Bonanza > head on in my experimental or ultralight with the same non-tso'd > altimeter? > dan > > On Mar 10, 2009, at 1:44 PM, John Cooper wrote: > > > I have remained mute on this subject up till now because I really > > don't know > > what the answer is. And I hate to admit that... > > > > However, here's my opinion.... > > > > The altimeter is a required instrument, per FAR 91.205. Therefore, > > it must > > meet some minimum criteria. For example, you could not install a Timex > > watch with an altimeter function, even though it read out in feet. > > Neither > > could you install one you got from Sharper Image for your car, even > > if it > > cost more than the TSO version. > > > > The Erco drawing calls for an Aeromarine 520N altimeter. So, for > > sure, that > > is a suitable instrument. Obviously, it was not TSO'd as the > > concept didn't > > exist then. So, what constitutes a suitable replacement? Or, put > > another > > way, is the Chin Wah altimeter from Aircraft Goose for $200 a suitable > > replacement? The answer is "it's up to the installer", I think. > > Ultimately, the A&P who signs off the install, or, absent that, the > > IA who > > signs off the next annual, (or the last annual if you as the owner > > sneak the > > thing in between annuals) will be held responsible for it. Now, > > lets assume > > you are involved in a mid air collision with an oncoming IFR > > Bonanza at 6000 > > feet. The wreckage of you plane reveals a Chin Wah altimeter stuck > > at 5500. > > Who's to blame? > > > > Bottom line, If I'm installing that altimeter, I want some > > assurance it is > > an aircraft quality part. The TSO is that insurance. Your IA may > > view it > > differently, assuming he knows what he's looking at... > > > > John Cooper > > Skyport Services > > www.skyportservices.net > > > > > > >
