Good points.

Paul Remde

"T o d d P a t t i s t" wrote in message
...
Marc Ramsey wrote:

I think it is fairly clear that for a glider with an experimental
certificate, you can pretty much install an ELT any way you want, and
likely get away with signing it off yourself (as a non-A&P). I think it
is also fairly clear that an ELT installation in a type certified glider
will require at least an A&P (and possibly IA) sign off, but probably
does not require a 337.

I've never owned a type certified glider, and I'll admit my
answer was probably colored somewhat by that fact. However,
if the ELT installation requires an A&P/IA/337 for a
non-required ELT, you begin down the slippery slope of
whether glide computers also require that, and if they
require it, then you must ask whether the A&P/IA/337 must
ensure that the glide computer has TSO certification like
all the other instruments in the panel of any type certified
airplane or glider (which AFAIK, no glider flight computers
have). Now you're staring at the big elephant in the glider
room that so many have been ignoring for so long.

I'm not saying I know the answers here - I don't - which is
why I'm so uncomfortable with some of these issues as they
relate to type certified gliders. My concern, however is
that you may get some very bad answers for soaring as a
sport in the U.S.

The question in my mind, however, is whether
the typical A&P (or IA) would be willing to sign off an ELT installation
in a certified glider, that makes use of uncertified components (like a
rubber ducky). Any A&Ps out there willing to comment?

If the rubber ducky is the only uncertified component in the
glider, I'd breathe a big sigh of relief.

T o d d P a t t i s t - "WH" Ventus C
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