REFLECTOR: Velocity MEL (Minimum Equipment List) -- One Broken Alternator

Thu Jan 17 12:45:05 CST 2013

Just to follow-up with the resolution with the FAA on my MEL issue and
multiple alternators -->

When I finally got through to the FAA guy in Charlotte (who I thought might
be a follow-up to the earlier conversation I had with the FAA in Charleston
about the failed #2 alternator), it turned out he was calling me about an
entirely different subject -- NOT the MEL or lost alternator!

So I didn't need donuts or any of the great advice I received from Scott
Baker or Reiff on the Reflector, even though the discussion was very
informative and may be very helpful some time again in the future, either
for me or others on the Reflector.  I think the final answer WRT my MEL
alternator issue is as previously summarized below in my Reply to Reiff.

Thanks everyone for the help!

Bob Jackson

N2XF

  _____  

From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Scott Baker
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 7:45 AM
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Velocity MEL (Minimum Equipment List) -- One Broken
Alternator

Mark,
Well said!  FAA personnel like to see a cooperative and helpful attitude.
That does not mean, however that one should roll over to the FAA's view
point (especially when it might be wrong).
Bob - I think you have appropriate information to have a cordial and frank
meeting with the FAA types and settle this thing without further ado.
Scott B.

On 1/14/2013 10:48 PM, Mark Magee wrote:

Bob,

If your meeting in person, make sure a take a box of donuts!

Mark B. Magee

N34XL

Sent from IPhone 4S

On Jan 14, 2013, at 9:05 PM, "Bob Jackson \(Jax Tech\)"
<bobj at jaxtechllc.com> wrote:

Thank you Reiff!

Reiff has answered (as summarized below) my original question about what
equipment is required for E-AB certificated aircraft to fly IFR, and where
in the FAA doc's is this guidance written:

*	as indicated in the .pdf that Reiff attached from the EAA, the
equipment included in FAR 91.205 for standard category certificates is the
same and also applies to Experimental-Amateur Built certificated aircraft,
*	this guidance can be found in FAA Order 8130.2F Chg 3 effective 18
Apr '07, as referenced and stated in the EAA linked below:

http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/Order%208130.2F%20incorp%20wi
th%20Chg%203.pdf

Specifically with respect to my losing one of two installed
generators/alternators question -- FAR 91.205(d)(7) states IFR operations
require a "generator or alternator of adequate capacity", and FAA Change
Order 8130.2F Chg 3 effective 18 Apr '07 says this requirement also applies
not just to standard category certificated aircraft, but also to
Experimental aircraft.

So the answer I will give to the FAA Charlotte guy tomorrow is (as
recommended by Scott Baker and others, and in compliance with the above
audit trail)  "since either alternator in my Experimental provides adequate
capacity for full IFR operations, I was in full compliance with the FAR and
FAA reg's in flying back to Orlando on a single alternator", and refer as
above to FAR 91.205 and FAA Order 8130.2F.

Thanks to everyone for the help -- I'll let you know if I get any 'push
back' from the FAA guy when I talk with him!

Bob Jackson

N2XF  Velocity XL/RG

Lost alternator issue

  _____  

From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Reiff Lorenz
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2013 5:22 PM
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Velocity MEL (Minimum Equipment List)

The attached document is what the EAA says about the equipment that is
required to be installed on powered E-AB aircraft. Basically, for Day VFR
flights that are not in the vicinity of an airport, you only need an ELT. No
compass, no transponder, no lights, no seat belts, no fuel guage, no
altimeter . . . nothin' but the ELT! (Stay within 50 miles of takeoff and
you don't even need the ELT.)

If you don't have a Minimum Equipment List (MEL) established for your
aircraft, it seems your only flight requirement is the ELT. (And there's
even a provision that if the ELT is inop, you can fly to have it repaired.)

Want to fly at night? You'll need an altimeter, airspeed indicator, compass,
engine instruments, fuel gauge, seat belts with shoulder harnesses, spare
fuses, approved position lights and anti-collision lights. An  "adequate
source of power" is required but an alternator is optional.

Of course, IFR flight requires adding gyroscopic pitch, bank, and rate of
turn, clock, alternator, and a bunch of navigation equipment.

The original document can be found here:
http://www.eaa.org/sportaviationmag/2011/1103_ABEA_Requirements.pdf

This doesn't directly answer the question "Can I fly with a broken X?" But
it's part of the answer since the regs state that an aircraft can fly with
inoperative equipment if the equipment is not required for the aircraft for
type of flight being conducted. With nothing but an ELT required for day-VFR
flight, it leaves a lot of latitude to the pilot to decide if the flight is
safe without the equipment. (Just don't forget to document and placard it to
stay legal!)

I learned something today.

Reiff Lorenz, Dayton, OH

Velocity XL-RG, 40% complete

Currently working on: Deciding between VP-X and VP-400. Any thoughts? 

The Velocity Builders' Virtual Hangar
<https://liveconferencepro.com/guest/loginguest.php?id=d3a73e710c719626dd353
d3b101be90f> . Available 24/7 for builders and owners:

https://liveconferencepro.com/guest/loginguest.php?id=86a48563bb517ade0abf1a
7ee1f38e65

<EAA minimum equipment requirements for EAB aircraft.pdf>

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