Stanford Korwin wrote:
At 12:18 22 August 2005, Afsax wrote:

I don't see anything to indicate that it wouldn't be
legal to stick
with the metric instruments as long as it meets the
type certificate
requirements, which it seems to. I will install a
second TSO'd feet
altimeter since charts and everything in the states
is in feet, but I
don't see why I'd have to change anything else. I
know of at least one
YAK airplane that has retained all of its original
instruments except
for a new feet altimeter and a transponder. If anyone
has any other
experiences let me know.

Adam



Except, perhaps, the ASI - so as not to confuse 50
kph with 50 knots in the heat of the moment !

This has, I am told, happened - with unfortunate consequences.

I have imported a glider from Germany (to the UK) -
and replaced the ASI and altimeter only - but left
the fancy push/pull variometer and the (absolutely
brilliant) Winter 'Sollfahrtgeber' entirely alone -
with, absolutely, no problems.

sta13nski.





I really wouldn't worry about the ASI. I fly my Open Cirrus (in the UK)
on metric instruments. Its stall speed is lower than most glass gliders
at (book figure) 63 kph. If I try to fly the approach at 50 kph,
mistaking this for kt, I will realise my mistake in plenty of time to
correct the stall. I must say that because the difference is nearly 100%
between kt and kph I've never had a moment's confusion. I can't imagine
anyone having this problem on the launch either, as the aircraft won't
be flying at the 55 kph mark.

However, mph and kt seems to me like a recipe for disaster if you fly an
approach at the kt speed using an mph ASI.