On Jun 19, 3:13*pm, Michael
wrote:
Go try selling the FAA on the idea of eliminating EGT, CHT, MP, Oil
Temp, Oil Pressure, and Tach in favor of a computer, and they will
simply throw FAR's at you. *EGT (really TIT) required for every
turbocharged engine. *MP required for engines with controllable
props. *CHT required for engines with cowl flaps. *Oil Temp and
Pressure and Tach always required. *By regulation. *That's all there
is to it. *You're not going to replace that with a %Power gauge and
idiot lights, but really you should be able to. *Then the idiot light
could tell you to land and check the engine.

I was just thinking... The FAA must be in a strange position.

On the one hand, they keep sponsoring programs like NextGen and things
related to it (CAFE/PAV), so it appears that they do want ultra-
advanced, low-cost aircraft that meet the metrics outlined by NASA/
CAFE for a PAV. On the other hand, if I understand correctly, there
is a tendency to reject even minor changes to standard GA systems.

If, by fortune, one were to make a PAV that satisfied the grand
challenges put forth by NASA/CAFE/FAA...what would the FAA do with it?
Reject it outright? Strip it down so that it looked more like a
Cessna? Put it in a hangard somewhere to wait?

At very least, CAFE would be obligated (and probably happy) to pay out
prize money for such a design, but what would FAA do?

Just curious.

-Le Chaud Lapin-