Can I fly it at night?

If that's what the FSDO says I won't argue! To me all parts on
aircraft are "certified" as are all installations. However, if they
take "certified" as extream as to mean part of the original type
certificate then I'll go along with it. However, I think technically,
all STCs are technically considered modifications to the individual
type certificate. Many (including this) even require updates to the
POH. Certainly such as system would include emergency procedures
addendum to the POH.

-Robert

But that means there was "factory-CAA/FAA" approved
documentation for LIGHTS and AC43.13 includes FAA
instructions for "acceptable practices" to add a battery
box, generators, switches and such other items of equipment.
I did not say at any time that it was as simple as putting a
Ford rear end in a Chevy, but I also gave the current FAA
procedures for beginning the field approval process...
It begins with research of regulations, previously approved
installations of similar types, manufacturers assistance,
writing a manual and creation of checklists, maintenance
procedures and placards, getting approval and finally;
actually doing the modification and approving for "return to
service."


--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in
message
ink.net...
|
| "Jim Macklin" wrote
in message
| news:SFavf.40609$QW2.12408@dukeread08...
|
| from old, approved drawings, and since the presence of
the
| wiring indicates that there once was a generator
installed,
| I would be repairing the aircraft.
|
|
| The presence of the wiring does not indicate a generator
was installed.
| Wiring for navigation lights was factory-installed
standard equipment.
| Navigation lights, landing lights, radio gear, battery,
and a wind-driven
| generator were optional equipment.
|
|

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote:

Well, it's certainly possible to run position lights, but that's not enough
today, today you also need an anticollision light.

Yes, I read 91.205(c) before posting and it appeared that
I'd need the anticollision light, but I was also looking for
confirmation from anyone with experience. It helps to know
how the regs are actually applied. Just reading them
doesn't always give you all the information you need.

You said there are lights on each
wingtip and the fin, are there actual lampholders there or is there just a
mounting pad for them?

Not only are the lampholders there, there are bulbs in them.
I've pulled the bulbs out, but can't tell for certain if
they are intended for 6 volt or 12 volt use. The TDC
indicates an optional 6 volt battery.

I have a 7AC, they were also pre-wired for position
lights but I never saw one that had them.

The 7AC that used to be hangared near the Chief also has
lampholders and bulbs, but the owner had no more info than I
do.

Do you have the type certificate data sheet for your airplane? That would
specify what electrical gear was available for installation.

I've looked at it, but I'll look again. IIRC, it had a 6
volt battery listed as optional and a wind driven gen.

I own a Champ' but like most Aeronca owners I've become a bit of a buff on
the whole line. I've seen many photos of pre-war Chiefs with the mount pads
for position lights quite discernible but without the actual lights. I've
seen some with position lights installed but without a wind-driven
generator, so it was certainly possible to operate them with just a battery.

The A&P I asked thought my lights were originally battery
operated, but I can't really tell. That's one reason I
posted here.

The only Chief I recall seeing with a wind-driven generator had it mounted
above the cabin, but that was the Chief Johnnie Jones used on his
transcontinental flight in 1938 so it was probably not the standard
installation. That generator looked significantly larger than others for
this purpose.

There's no sign of any wind gen mounts on mine, but I
suspect that they were merely bolt on accessories, so if
mine had one, the traces are long gone. There's nothing in
the logbook about this.

If you are a Champ owner, have you read about the great bank
robbery using a Champ for the getaway, CFI's as bank robbers
and bullet holes in the fabric as they escaped?

"bstanton" wrote

... Just reading [the FARs] doesn't always give you all the information
you need.

They are specifically crafted to be that way.

"George Patterson" wrote in message
news:gKdvf.26704$Uf7.17185@trnddc01...

Whelen makes a small power supply for a single strobe that pulls 1.7 amps
at 14 volts. They also make a flasher that will drive two wingtip strobes
that pulls 4 amps.

Here's one that shouldn't draw much in the way of current.
http://www.greatplainsas.com/scelectrical.html

My first Emeraude had one on the top of the tail and it worked pretty well.
I had to replace the transistors once when the leads broke from vibration. I
installed two of these in the wingtips of my new Emeraude, but heat would
affect them badly, slowing the rate of flashing until it stopped. I had
"potted" the transistor leads with clear silicone to prevent breaking, which
may have contributed to the heat build-up.

They have been replaced with a Whelan unit from
http://www.strobesnmore.com/.

Rich S.

bstanton wrote:

I've pulled the bulbs out, but can't tell for certain if
they are intended for 6 volt or 12 volt use.

If the bulbs have a GE identifier, you can find out the voltage.

There's no sign of any wind gen mounts on mine, but I
suspect that they were merely bolt on accessories, so if
mine had one, the traces are long gone.

From period photos I've seen, the generator attached to the left wing struts.
Here's a link to a photo of one.
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaver...287/11AC1.html

In case you decide to pursue the generator idea, here's a link to a 337 filed by
the owner of an Aeronca 7A. Might help, especially if WagAero still sells this
thing.

George Patterson
Coffee is only a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to
your slightly older self.

"bstanton" null.com wrote in message
...

If you are a Champ owner, have you read about the great bank
robbery using a Champ for the getaway, CFI's as bank robbers
and bullet holes in the fabric as they escaped?


Yes, in "AOPA Pilot" about a year ago.

"George Patterson" wrote in message
news:yUjvf.15561$Gu6.9039@trnddc06...

From period photos I've seen, the generator attached to the left wing
struts. Here's a link to a photo of one.
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaver...287/11AC1.html


The 11AC is the postwar Chief.



In case you decide to pursue the generator idea, here's a link to a 337
filed by the owner of an Aeronca 7A. Might help, especially if WagAero
still sells this thing.


What link?

Steven P. McNicoll wrote:

What link?

Whoops!

This one .....
http://www.aeronca.com/337/air_driven_generator.pdf

George Patterson
Coffee is only a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to
your slightly older self.

("George Patterson" wrote)
[snip]
From period photos I've seen, the generator attached to the left wing
struts. Here's a link to a photo of one.
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaver...287/11AC1.html


45 minutes later...

"The GeoCities web site you were trying to view has temporarily exceeded its
data transfer limit. Please try again later."

I wonder if it's because of George's post? g


Montblack