K3 Data Plate Location

[Kurt.A]

Mine is as stated by Avid Flyer, riveted on to the removable aluminum panel under the horizontal stabilizer. Been there for 20 years now.

[Av8r_Sed]

Mine is in the same location. Mounting on the fabric is a problem because the plate can disappear if there's a post crash fire (not to say it hasn't been common practice.)

[DesertFox4]

Mounting on the fabric is a problem because the plate can disappear if there's a post crash fire (not to say it hasn't been common practice.)

Why not make two identical plates and mount one permanently inside the tail of the fuselage in case of fire. One riveted to the fabric near the tail with a backing plate, which is always viewable, and one for the worst case event.
I suppose it would still be up to the individual DAR as to conformity with the law but might show the builder's effort to comply with the spirit of the law.

FYI- I left my data plate off until the DAR came to inspect and asked him where he would put it. After some thought, my DAR had me put it inside the cockpit behind the pilot seat viewable through the little triangle window on an aluminum plate used to seal around the flaperon push pull tube. Per the law, it is viewable from the outside, and it is behind the furthest rear door. Since he chose the location of course he signed off on it. Go figure.

[bbryan]

I think I will talk to my DAR, if I don"t the way my luck has been going it will be wrong. I built my avid in nine months, been working on the K3 for 7 years, I must be getting slower as I age. Starting to get concerned I will kick the bucket before I get to fly. Only thing left is data plate an ELT and some bookwork. Gee, that should only take me 6 months. The shift work is murder on projects.

[Dave S]

Bob,

Checking with the DAR would remove any doubt.

Per my earlier response ".............I made the data plate of stainless steel with an equivalent sized stainless steel backer for the other side of the fabric and attached a D shaped stainless steel loop riveted to the whole business around a tube behind the fabric........." was the conclusion I came to after asking my DAR.....basically the whole plane could burn and the stainless steel data plate would be hanging on the fuselage tube by the D shaped strap secured to the data plate with SS rivets.

It's important that you get these things done so you can fly

Sincerely,

Dave S

[Jch]

FWIW, data plate construction and location was about the only thing that was at issue with my inspection (FAA). We had discussed it before the inspection...it had to be stainless steel, "attached to structure" behind the doors. My first plate was SS, behind the door, attached to a steel backer plate, but attached to fabric. I sent a picture to the FAA inspector and he said he wanted to see it on "structure". I made a new one and attached it to the side trailing edge of the vert stab. (on an airfoiled tail) below the horiz stab....Inspector was happy and there was not one other issue during the inspection. (completed 5/28/2014)

[HighWing]

Wow, I find this topic fascinating. Not necessarily for the answers it provides but from the standpoint of the personal whims of the inspector – DAR or FAA.

Dave quotes the regs:
45.11 Marking of products.

(a) Aircraft. A manufacturer of aircraft covered under §21.182 of this chapter must mark each aircraft by attaching a fireproof identification plate that—
(1) Includes the information specified in §45.13 using an approved method of fireproof marking;
(2) Must be secured in such a manner that it will not likely be defaced or removed during normal service, or lost or destroyed in an accident; and
(3) Except as provided in paragraphs (d) through (h) of this section, must be secured to the aircraft fuselage exterior so that it is legible to a person on the ground, and must be either adjacent to and aft of the rear-most entrance door or on the fuselage surface near the tail surfaces.

Dave , mounts to the fabric with an additional touch to “D” ring it to the tubing so as not to be lost in case of fire.

Phil does the same minus the “D”ring enhancement.

Kurt and Paul mount to the cover panel below the Elevator. I did as well on both of my airplanes.

Steve mounts his inside visible from the outside.

Jeff was required to mount to a “Structure”

My fist mount location – was on the aluminum closeout. This time the closeout is fiberglass as is Jeff’s vertical stabilizer fairing mount.

My thoughts: I am neither a DAR or FAA, but in my strict reading of 45-11 , Steve’s mount is the only one that violates the reg. as it is inside the aircraft vs. on the "aircraft fuselage exterior. But it was done per the DARs recommendation.

What is it with the total lack of consensus with the powers that be?

I just did a quick scan of the photos I took at the fly-ins we used to host. The trend then was to mount to the fabric under the elevator. Second were the mounts on the closeout under the elevator. Example: In 2003 Debra and John McBean came in the factory Red and white “Turbo” Series 6 N702KF – on the fabric under the elevator. Then a new owner brought the “Jimmy Franklin” Speedster N194KS – on the closeout. Both, of course factory creations

The advice to talk to the DAR might be a good idea, but...?