Awqward

I'm considering changing my conventional Whelen strobes for Whelen Orion LED strobe units....Whelen says they are designed to replace the legacy units....BUT....there is no STC for them...they meet the required TSO and FAR requirements for strobe lighting in terms of brightness etc.... I saw on Beechtalk some people in the US have had them installed as a Minor Alteration (with just an A&P sign-off and no 337)....which may be OK but some also think it is a Major a Alteration thus requiring a 337....the problem is that without an STC as far as I know it would require a Field Approval if it is indeed a Major Alteration....my IA said it is not possible to do Field Approvals through the NY FSDO.....so what do people do??

Yes I've only heard very good things about Straubing....although for me it's a very long way from Scotland to SE Germany! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My tail strobe light failed and I replaced the flash tube....only to discover that it was the power supply (Whelen 490ATS)... I have managed to track down a salvage power supply and it is on the way....but in the course of my research I came across the Whelen OR500 http://www.whelen.com/aviation/product.php?head_id=11&prod_id=162 .... They are apparently designed to replace the old units and do not require the power supply....BUT It specifically says FAA/TSO approved but no PMA or STC....what does that mean? Does anyone have these units installed on their Mooney?

It probably depends on whether you use paper approach charts (clipped to left yoke) or not...personally I have the same setup as gsxrpilot.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Try this.... http://mooneyspace.com/topic/11501-ei-cgr-30p/

Hi Magnum, "two bridges" looks like a lovely spot...and a nice airport too! We may well make the trek there some time....we fly will be flying this summer from Aberdeen to the South of France to our place at Ste Maxime (Cannes airport) so we might have to make a detour... And Podair your heritage is very interesting!...a poly-European!...

I have had electronic charts on my iPad mini for some time but already used paper charts....until last weekend when I reached into my folder to pull out the charts for a non-radar approach with DME arc and realized I didn't have the chart....quickly pulled it up on the ipad.....think I'm converted!

Yes, I am a member of PPLIR....in fact a French pilot with a Canadian ATPL(A) just posted there saying that is arranging a check ride with a French IRE to get his EASA IR.....no ATO involved I understand...sounds promising....

This notice from the UK CAA ( http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/224/IR%20conversions%2020140425%202.pdf ) indicates that only an ATO can recommend someone for the flight test.....so we will be at the mercy of some organization whose job it is to discourage people from obtaining FAA IRs...so naturally they will find lots of reasons for retraining us to "proper" EU standards before making the recommendation....I don't have a good feeling about this!

Not a bad thought....anyone else think so? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks Carusoam...yes I can see that "supply and install" would more attractive to an avionics shop...the trouble is I have been quoted $4,800 for a CGR30-P here in the UK vs around $3,200 I could buy it in the US and hand carry it back....I'm sure in the US the dealer gets a discount from the manufacturer that may not be available directly so everyone wins...but with all the import duty and value added tax and the general rip-off culture over here the price for the unit goes up by 50%.... So my question was to anyone who has brought their own unit to a shop in Europe vs supply and install?..... I won't even start on the installation costs over here vs the US!! It is not crazy to fly an avionics guy over here on a free holiday and still cone out in front...and probably with a better quality job! I was quoted around 60hrs by a well known UK shop vs around 20hrs by general consensus on this forum....

In general, how have shops responded when you bring your own avionics for installation? I'm thinking of buying some when I visit Houston and hand carrying back.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How many people are flying their N-reg IFR in Europe with an FAA Instrument ticket and planning to get the EASA IR before April 2015? And how do you plan to get it done?

Mostly us foreigners look at aviation in the US with considerable envy.....I'm not put off by these stories....but every now and then we are reminded that all is not perfect

Yes, I've had the climb response once or twice....although not for many months....I guess you always need to be ready to disconnect and hand fly any approach! ;-) Just yesterday it all worked flawlessly into Aberdeen Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I haven't been able to replicate the porpoising since...any ideas on what may have caused it? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Who is planning to go on the EMPOA fly-out this year? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I got porpoising towards the end of last flight...after 3hrs....I have the KAP150 but hopefully some of the suggestion above are still applicable...

Thanks CFII.....you sound like my CFII! :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ha! :-) Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

But I wasn't about to enter into an argument with the DPE just before my checkride.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

61.57 has changed...my DPE says it is unambiguous....however the FAA Genersl Counsel apparently issued a letter clarifying saying nothing has changed...but my DPE said until the change 61.57 back the words are the words.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks! One thing caught me on the oral: apparently you now need an IPC as soon as you go out of 6/6 currency....no longer 6 months grace in which to use a safety pilot.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Passed my Instrument checkride yesterday! All the hard work paid off....very happy!

My KAP150 starting to porpoise last night in smooth air 8000ft.....3hours into the flight....not sure where to start looking for the problem....I did notice the AI was at an awkward angle before startup but it erected ok....