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Skycatcher IFR?
Does anyone know if the Skycatcher will be IFR certified? It doesn't appear to be from what little I've found at the Cessna web site. Matt |
#2
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Skycatcher IFR?
"Matt Whiting" wrote in message ... Does anyone know if the Skycatcher will be IFR certified? It doesn't appear to be from what little I've found at the Cessna web site. If not, that would certainly limit its usefulness as a trainer. What is involved is getting a new airframe IFR certified? Vaughn |
#3
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Skycatcher IFR?
On Oct 12, 4:30 pm, Matt Whiting wrote:
Does anyone know if the Skycatcher will be IFR certified? It doesn't appear to be from what little I've found at the Cessna web site. Matt Will Sport aircraft be allowed to be IFR certified? -Robert |
#4
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Skycatcher IFR?
I really doubt it. The new O-200D will not be a certified engine so I
doubt if Continental will allow that in its operating limitations. Even more limiting, the useful load of the SkyCatcher is right at the minimum allowable useful load for and LSA by ASTM. As such, they probably won't have be able to add the back up electrical system needed for a glass panel used in IMC. If you would like a really nice Cessna-like and IFR certified LSA, checkout the Tecnam family. They offer full IFR LSA aircraft, either glass or traditional, your choice. http://www.tecnamaircraft.com/Tecnam_Aircraft.htm This company has been building airplanes for over 50 years. We have an Echo on the line and boy is it a sweet and stable flyer. It has the handling characteristics needed in an IFR bird. Monstrous useful load too, especially compared to the SkyCatcher, which allows for long range tanks, a pretty much prerequisite for flying hard IFR. Helen -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Helen Woods Chesapeake Sport Pilot Affordable Flight Training, Rentals, and Sales (410) 490-1424 www.chesapeakesportpilot.com Matt Whiting wrote: Does anyone know if the Skycatcher will be IFR certified? It doesn't appear to be from what little I've found at the Cessna web site. Matt -- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=br Helen Woodsbr Chesapeake Sport Pilotbr Affordable Flight Training, Rentals, and Salesbr (410) 490-1424br www.chesapeakesportpilot.combr |
#5
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Skycatcher IFR?
Vaughn Simon wrote:
If not, that would certainly limit its usefulness as a trainer. Not with regards to training sport pilots. |
#6
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Skycatcher IFR?
"Dave S" wrote in message ... Vaughn Simon wrote: If not, that would certainly limit its usefulness as a trainer. Not with regards to training sport pilots. (One is tempted to say "no ****", but that would not be polite.) To earn its keep at a flight school/FBO, any trainer needs to be capable of more than teaching sport pilots. Vaughn |
#7
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Skycatcher IFR?
"Matt Whiting" wrote in message ... Does anyone know if the Skycatcher will be IFR certified? It doesn't appear to be from what little I've found at the Cessna web site. It's my reading of the rules that NONE of the new LSA built planes are FAA CERTIFIED. They are built to an ASTM "industry consensous" standard. The FAA has removed themselves from the mirco level regulation, created instead a LSA framework rule, and it's basically "whatever the manufacturer allows" is OK. So while the original Diamond (2 seat) Katana with the Rotax engine was FAA certified VFR day/nite, its lack of any vac system prevented it from getting FAA night certification. The new LSAs have access to a pair of 912 series engines from Rotax. One of which Rotax allowed for nite ops and the other one it did not, per its ops manual. The LSA manufacturers must State in their ops manual that nite ops is permitted by verifying with their component suppliers (who have some sort of veto power). Once the manufacturer says nite ops is OK (as bound by the ASTM), then just check the FARs part 91 minimums and go. Tecnam in leading the new ASTM subcommittee to study IFR requirements and they are working toward a "consensous standard". Once they agree on a standard, and the Manufacturers state in their Ops Manuals that the LSA can operate in IMC (and they need buy-in from their major component suppliers), the OPINION of some is that the LSA will then be abal to operate in IMC under IFR by meeting the FARpart 91 minimums. The FAA has yet to speak up on this. Stay tuned. |
#8
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Skycatcher IFR?
Actually, both 912's are currently night legal. (Rotax changed that
designation on the 912ULS after the LSA market came out.) Only the 912S, the one on the Katana, is IFR legal though. Also, it is my understandig the the 912S does support a vaccum system, although the ULS does not. Also, in addition to the part 91 night equipment list, ASTM has a night list of its own which includes some sort of attitude indicator and panel lights. Tecnams are currently available both night and IFR legal and a very nice planes. Helen Mike Isaksen wrote: "Matt Whiting" wrote in message ... Does anyone know if the Skycatcher will be IFR certified? It doesn't appear to be from what little I've found at the Cessna web site. It's my reading of the rules that NONE of the new LSA built planes are FAA CERTIFIED. They are built to an ASTM "industry consensous" standard. The FAA has removed themselves from the mirco level regulation, created instead a LSA framework rule, and it's basically "whatever the manufacturer allows" is OK. So while the original Diamond (2 seat) Katana with the Rotax engine was FAA certified VFR day/nite, its lack of any vac system prevented it from getting FAA night certification. The new LSAs have access to a pair of 912 series engines from Rotax. One of which Rotax allowed for nite ops and the other one it did not, per its ops manual. The LSA manufacturers must State in their ops manual that nite ops is permitted by verifying with their component suppliers (who have some sort of veto power). Once the manufacturer says nite ops is OK (as bound by the ASTM), then just check the FARs part 91 minimums and go. Tecnam in leading the new ASTM subcommittee to study IFR requirements and they are working toward a "consensous standard". Once they agree on a standard, and the Manufacturers state in their Ops Manuals that the LSA can operate in IMC (and they need buy-in from their major component suppliers), the OPINION of some is that the LSA will then be abal to operate in IMC under IFR by meeting the FARpart 91 minimums. The FAA has yet to speak up on this. Stay tuned. |
#9
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Skycatcher IFR?
LSAs are supposed to be VFR only. I can't find anywhere in the rules
that allow for an LSA to be IFR certified. If you find it let us know. http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/regulatory/sport_rule.pdf The Light-Sport Aircraft were not intended for complex operations. Have a good day and stay out of the trees! See ya on Sport Aircraft group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sport_Aircraft/ On Oct 12, 4:30 pm, Matt Whiting wrote: Does anyone know if the Skycatcher will be IFR certified? It doesn't appear to be from what little I've found at the Cessna web site. Matt |
#10
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Skycatcher IFR?
"Helen" wrote in message ...
Actually, both 912's are currently night legal. (Rotax changed that designation on the 912ULS after the LSA market came out.) OK, the two 912 series I actually meant was the 80hp and the 100hp. But within the 100hp group I believe you are correct. Both the ULS and the S are currently night legal. Do you recall when Rotax made the ULS night legal, I don't think it had it the first summer that the LSAs hit? I think it was recent. Here's the ops manual (get your metric conv sheets out): http://www.rotax-aircraft-engines.co...kus/d03925.pdf And a service bulletin restricting fuel to 5% alcohol: http://www.rotax-aircraft-engines.co...kus/d03830.pdf Only the 912S, the one on the Katana, is IFR legal though. Also, it is my understandig the the 912S does support a vaccum system, although the ULS does not. I recall the first Rotax Katanas that hit the US were non-IFR cert?!? You are correct about the Vac pump option on the new 912s. Also, in addition to the part 91 night equipment list, ASTM has a night list of its own which includes some sort of attitude indicator and panel lights. But I don't believe the ASTM has even come out with a draft of the proposed IMC operational standards. They may also be reaching well beyond their scope as charged by the FAA. This is certainly an exciting and in flux issue. Tecnams are currently available both night and IFR legal and a very nice planes. Tecnam do indeed make a nice series of LSAs. Heck, with the moveable seat even I can fit inside. And they are still the only LSA I've seen with defrost to the windshield, something I consider nessesary when it gets cold out and 2 pilots can fog up the inside pretty quick. But even they have yet to offer pitot heat. And I have not been able to find were the prop manufacturer states their wood/comp prop can be used in IMC. I would love to hear about someone who actually filed and flew IFR in IMC (and willing to give their real name). What I do see is an effort by many LSA to equip to better than the FAR part 91 equipment minimums. And that then allows the FBO schools to use the LSA to train for PPLs at 4 gallons per hour. Like I said, stay tuned. This is an exciting time in LSAs, and the rules are being written as we watch. |
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