This has been a recurring discussion topic on RAS. However, before it
dealt with the question of the legal requirements. Now, it has been
expanded to the question of whether your insurance will cover you.

I don't understand how an insurance company could deny coverage because
something in the glider (which had no effect on the cause of the damage)
was not legal. If my ELT is not legal or does not have a legal
installation, can the insurance company deny coverage if I groundloop on
landing and break the fuselage? That doesn't seem logical to me.



wrote:
I must be missing something. ELTs are not required in glider by the
FAA, also flight recorders, GPS systems, CAI 302, Borgelt B500, Ilec
SN10, LX 7007, PDA's with software are not required in gliders by the
FAA. None of the systems I mentioned are TSO'd. Does this mean STC or
FFA field approvals are required for these instruments and my insurance
may be in jepardy if I have any of these systems installed by myself or
a favorite vendor in a Standard Airworthiness Certificated Glider.

I also sell ELT's, they are very inexpensive $183.75. I believe that
they are a good idea especially in some of the areas that we typically
fly.

Richard
www.craggyaero.com

Rex wrote:
BE VERY CAREFUL.
If you own a sailplane with a STANDARD AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE, and
you choose to install an ELT, it must be one that is TSO'd and the
installation must be done in accordance with an STC or a FAA field
approval.

I have seen and heard about many pilots who have purchased these units
from their favorite vendor and stuck it in their glider. If you do
not do a legal installation, you may be putting your insurance coverage
in jepardy.

If the contest committe would abolish the pst and tat and go back to
real glider racing ie AST, the hysteria about installing ELTs would go
away. We would narrow the search pattern for lost pilots and in most
cases increase the odds of having witnessed losses. This would be REAL
safety reform.

I do believe that installing ELTs in gliders that are flown cross
country in general is good and a responsible thing to do. I find it
ironic that years ago the SSA went to bat for the "good of soaring
pilots in the US" and lobbied the FAA for and exemption to the ELT
rule.

I quess I should probably shut up and lick my chops in anticipation of
all the ELT sales that I am about to be flooded with.

(sigh)

Rex Mayes
Williams Soaring Center