Is a "wet" compass required in a home built?

[Jch]

Is the standard compass required? Can anyone direct me to the regulation if so. And could someone show pictures or describe their technique for securing the fuel lines to the structure behind the pilot's head. I guess I am concerned about a quick tie cutting through the fuel line. Thanks.

[Paul Z]

I don’t have a wet compass in my SLSA Kitfox. I have an Electronic Advance Flight System.

[SkyPirate]

I have a vertical card compass in mine

[Paul Z]

Here is a Picture of my Panel, it took me a while to find it. Everything is in the Advanced Flight System, there is another Air Speed indicator on the Passenger side, and if I pull out my iPad I have another Compass!

[Danzer1]

For VFR day - No, for VFR night or IFR - Yes. EAA summary of FAA requirements here: http://www.eaa.org/sportaviationmag/2011/1103_ABEA_Requirements.pdf

Greg

[Paul Z]

FYI the summary only says Magnetic Direction Indicator. I didn't see anything about a Wet Magnetic Direction Indicator.

[Dorsal]

My research into this resulted in no whiskey compass requirement. I do not have one and my ops limits include day and night vfr.
I also used zip ties on the fuel lines behind my head.

[Dave S]

Hi jeff,

The FAA regulations that reference this state ".....a magnetic direction indicator..." does not specify what kind of "magnetic direction indicator".

On the ties, they will not cut into tygon or rubber hose - unless someone reefs on them with a 18" channel lock or something like that. Nylon ties are more likely to cause wear on the metal tubing they lap over than cut any of the hoses. FYI - my DAR was pretty clear that high vibration areas on critical components...the engine mount in particular, should not use nylon ties because of the potential for wear into the metal tube coating, etc. I tended to accept his recommendation.....many years doing boeings, etc. on his day job.

Sincerely,

Dave S
KF7 Trigear
912ULS Warp drive
St Paul Minne-snowta - Land of 10,000 off airport landing sites in the winter.

[jtpitkin06]

This subject comes up pretty frequently.

The answer is "maybe"

FAA order 8130.2G buries the answer deep in the document.
If you have an Experimental Aircraft either E-LSA or E-AB and fly only during daylight VFR then no instruments are required. No compass.

This rule does not apply to S-LSA aircraft. They have their set of requirements listed by the manufacturer, much like a Minimum equipment list.

Your experimental certificate will be limited with the following:

"After completion of phase I flight testing, unless appropriately
equipped for night and/or instrument flight in accordance with § 91.205, this aircraft is to be operated under VFR, day only."

If you fly at night or IFR then 91.205 kicks in. But note that the requirement says "magnetic direction indicator." This may be an electronic sensor or display such as a Dynon.

So there are your legal references.... FAA Order 8130.2G (change 1) and FAR 91.205.


Pretty simple, really.

[Danzer1]

John is correct. He reiterated what was stated in the link I gave. The OP said "wet" in the title and said "standard" in the body of his 1st post and did not mention installing any other "electronic" equipment.

To clarify though - for night and/or IFR the "magnetic direction indicator" even if displayed electronically, must be magnetically sourced, such as the Dynon ADAHRS module or similar (not a GPS or Radio sourced signal).

I have heard that some DAR's/inspectors do not understand the rule and have interpreted them to infer "non stabilized" ie non electric, which is not the case. If you run across one of them - ask them to prove it or find another DAR.

Greg

[Jch]

Very helpful!! Thanks to all that replied. I have a Dynon Flight dek 180 and hope to fly at night. I may upgrade the panel to IFR in the future. So it sounds like I am good to go for my mid-May inspection. Thanks for the info about securing the fuel lines. I will use quick ties and protect the powders coating with the orange rubber tape.

[Esser]

And for the Canadians out there who are looking for an answer this is a letter from TC clearing up the issue:

From: jacqueline.boothattc.gc.ca
To:------------------
CC: vanessa.levesqueattc.gc.ca; CAIRS_NCRattc.gc.ca
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:58:31 -0400
Subject: CAIRS# GV-3554


Dear Mr. ------------------

As you are aware, the recent concerns you expressed in your submission of February 9, 2011 in connection with the requirement for a stand-alone liquid-filled compass, were entered into the Civil Aviation Issues Reporting System (CAIRS) and were assigned file number GV-3554. As a result of my review of the above referenced file I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with the following information.

Paragraph 605.14 (d) of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) states that “no person shall conduct a take-off in a power-driven aircraft for the purpose of day Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight unless it is equipped with a magnetic compass or a magnetic direction indicator that operates independently of the aircraft electrical generating system”.

2. It is our understanding that the Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS) installed in your aircraft is connected to the aircraft electrical generating system, and that it comprises a back-up battery that will supply electrical power to the EFIS in case of a failure of the aircraft electrical generating system.

3. It is our understanding that the EFIS installed in your aircraft has to be turned ON for the remote compass module to become “alive” and indicate magnetic direction.

4. Therefore, we can state that the remote compass module installed in your aircraft is not independent of the aircraft electrical generating system. If it was indeed independent of the aircraft electrical generating system, there would be no need to turn the EFIS “ON” in order to get a compass reading.

5. Hence, the reason why, during the course of the final inspection of an amateur-built aircraft construction project, Minister’s Delegates – Recreational Aviation (MD-RAs) have been instructed to verify that a stand-alone liquid-filled magnetic compass is installed in the aircraft. If none is installed, the MD-RAs have to enter a discrepancy (snag) on the inspection report.

6. A stand-alone liquid-filled magnetic compass is still the easiest way to comply with the requirements of CAR 605.14(d).

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for sharing your views, as all comments we receive are appreciated.

Should you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Maurice A. Simoneau at 613-990-9490 or via e-mail at maurice.simoneauattc.gc.ca.

Sincerely,

Jacqueline Booth
A/Director Standards

[beeryboats]

I have a "wet compass" and don't plan on changing. But the builder of my bird used tie wraps for everything, including fuel lines. I'm going to change them all to Adel clamps this summer. Along with all the fuel lines. She's been in storage for ten years!