A Raging Debate... IFR, IMC, VMC, and LSA

[S3flyer]

Dan Johnson (http://www.bydanjohnson.com/) has some details on LSA and IMC. An interesting statement that since the current fleet of LSA's aren't prohibited from IFR/IMC, then the FAA allows it (if appropriately equipped). So what happens to the current fleet when the FAA adopts the ASTM's recommendation to prohibit IFR/IMC until their is a consensus standard? Would it only apply to 'new' LSA since our airworthiness certificates DON'T prohibt IFR/IMC?

 

Mostly a theoretical debate for me. I'm not going to drop the $$$ to get IFR-certified avionics nor do I really want to fly hard IFR (in IMC) anymore -- been there done that. I would like a new IFR rating that would allow shooting through a layer that was say 1000'. Call it 'Sport IFR' Never gonna happen, though.

[chanik]

You can train IFR now and Actually you could fly real IFR if you dropped your plane into the E-LSA category. Just as with other experimentals, you don't need TSOd instruments but would need to add a VOR to be minimally compliant. FAR 91.205 is surprisingly easy to meet but you do need a VOR.

http://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forums/rules-regulations-flight-safety-better-pilots/3329-ifr-instruments.html

Something like the sporty's 400 would work if mounted somehow. I actually talked to the local FSDO about the transition and an FAA examiner and both concurred that it would work for them; specifically I wanted to know if the examiner would accept the training and let me do the IFR checkride in an E-LSA (he would). It's just a checkbox on the form faa8130-6 for the FSDO but there are obvious insurance and resale ramifications.

[207WF]

If I could suddenly file and fly IFR in my CT (which has an SL30 and glide slope indicator)just by switching to E-LSA, then it seems that the switch might increase, not decrease the value of the plane! WF

[S3flyer]

I believe Dan Johnson was claiming that you COULD file/fly IFR (in IMC) today if your LSA bird is appropriately equipped. No need to go to E-LSA.

[chanik]

I believe Dan Johnson was claiming that you COULD file/fly IFR (in IMC) today if your LSA bird is appropriately equipped. No need to go to E-LSA.

Not true but here's the only reason why: FD does not approve it and they are gospel as the manufacturer if you want to stay in S-LSA. They approve IFR now actually, just not actual flight in IMC. In E-LSA conversions the airworthiness certificate reflects what the OEM initially listed as restrictions which for CT's are none. They could have gotten an AC that said Day/night VFR and then you would have had to do a whole series of flight testing to approve it for IFR, but luckily no.

 

The VOR needs to be mounted accorign to the CFRs but I know from my experience with IFR homebuilts that a yoke mount or even velcro to the panel is accepted. Just can't be a vertex radio sitting in your lap.