WxWorx is shipping, looking for first feedback

"Dan Luke" c172rgATbellsouthDOTnet wrote in message ...
"Dave" wrote:
I don't want to lug a laptop into the plane. And, of
course, for hard IFR, you can't legally use it anyway.

??? What's the legal problem?

Maybe it's all in the interpretation, but 14 CFR 91.21 spells it out.
The loophole may be item 5. But, what constitutes the operator making
an informed decision that a laptop with the other associated equipment
won't cause interference to the NAV and COM equipment?


"(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person
may operate, nor may any operator or pilot in command of an aircraft
allow the operation of, any portable electronic device on any of the
following U.S.-registered civil aircraft:

(1) Aircraft operated by a holder of an air carrier operating
certificate or an operating certificate; or

(2) Any other aircraft while it is operated under IFR.

(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to --

(1) Portable voice recorders;

(2) Hearing aids;

(3) Heart pacemakers;

(4) Electric shavers; or

(5) Any other portable electronic device that the operator of the
aircraft has determined will not cause interference with the
navigation or communication system of the aircraft on which it is to
be used.

(c) In the case of an aircraft operated by a holder of an air carrier
operating certificate or an operating certificate, the determination
required by paragraph (b)(5) of this section shall be made by that
operator of the aircraft on which the particular device is to be used.
In the case of other aircraft, the determination may be made by the
pilot in command or other operator of the aircraft. "

"Dave" wrote:

Maybe it's all in the interpretation, but 14 CFR 91.21 spells it
out.

I still don't see what that's got to do with "hard IFR."
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM

"Dan Luke" wrote in message ...
"Dave" wrote:

Maybe it's all in the interpretation, but 14 CFR 91.21 spells it
out.

I still don't see what that's got to do with "hard IFR."


my implication was that if you're flying "hard IFR", you're in IMC on
an IFR flight plan, and would thus be subject to 91.21. Folks, I
think this is a great product. I just wish they would integrate it
with some cockpit MFD's (other than the gazillion dollar Garmin G1000
system)

"Dave" wrote in message
m...
my implication was that if you're flying "hard IFR", you're in IMC on
an IFR flight plan, and would thus be subject to 91.21.

91.21 applies to all flight. If you think that WxWorx with a laptop is not
legal for "hard IFR" (which most of us call "hard IMC") based on 91.21, then
you think it is not legal under any circumstances. Do you really think
that?

Pete

"Peter Duniho" wrote in message ...
"Dave" wrote in message
m...
my implication was that if you're flying "hard IFR", you're in IMC on
an IFR flight plan, and would thus be subject to 91.21.

91.21 applies to all flight. If you think that WxWorx with a laptop is not
legal for "hard IFR" (which most of us call "hard IMC") based on 91.21, then
you think it is not legal under any circumstances. Do you really think
that?

Pete

I, and many pilots I know, interpret this rule to mean that flying
under part 91 on an IFR flight plan, it is illegal to use any portable
electronics not FAA-approved. This rule says nothing about VFR
operations. I think the issue at hand is if you are in the soup and
using an 'unapproved' piece of electronic equipment that you really
don't know for certain will or won't cause interferenec with your
equipment, then you shouldn't be using it. Another idea may be that
if you are fiddling with a laptop sitting in your lap, right seat or
even a pedistal between seats, that's time that you're not focused on
the instruments.

"Dave" wrote in message
om...
I, and many pilots I know, interpret this rule to mean that flying
under part 91 on an IFR flight plan, it is illegal to use any portable
electronics not FAA-approved.

Sounds like you've changed your tune. Before, you were claiming the
regulation prohibited use of electronics when flying "hard IFR". Now you've
apparently figured out that only the flight rules under which the flight is
made matter, and that the meteorological conditions are irrelevant.

Glad you came around...

Perhaps I should clarify rather than change my tune. Hard IFR would
imply to me that you are flying under IFR. When the FAA says "under
IFR", I take that to mean you are filed - regardless of whether the
conditions warrant it. But an being on an IFR flight plan would not
necessarily imply that the conditions are IMC.

So, yeah - you could be flying an IFR plan(i.e. "under IFR") with
perfectly good VFR conditions. The reg would indicate that *any*time
you are on an IFR plan (i.e. "under IFR"), regardless of the weather,
you can't use portable electronics. My original comment about not
being able to use the laptop while in "hard IFR" implied that you are
flying on an IFR plan (i.e. "under IFR"), hence under IFR regs and
could not therefore legally use it.