Help with laws, modifications vs accessories, Regarding Interior lighting.

On Mar 14, 12:17 pm, "John" wrote:
It is going to get worse.

Of course it is. This is the FAA we're talking about. Motto: "We're
not happy until you're not happy."

They are not going to make aviation safer by going this route. People will
just go underground.

Or they won't. That STILL won't make aviation safer. Look at the
example we're dealing with. In any sane world, adding some panel
lights to a cherokee is a minor alteration, and something that should
be done on an A&P's signature. Just stick to 43.13 - use wire that
can take the load, fuse it appropriately, use the proper hardware -
and then no matter what happens, the worst that will happen is that
you'll have to fall back on the flashlight. But no...

So what's going to happen? The owner will keep messing with
flashlights. This is WRONG. Use of a flashlight in the cockpit is
distracting. It should be an emergency procedure, not a normal one.
Every flight instructor worth his salt will tell you that night flight
is more dangerous not because of the tiny chance of engine failure
with nowhere to go, but because of the increased workload. And what's
the major factor in the increased workload? Poor visibility in the
cockpit. Because our lighting systems suck, and most GA pilots are
still using flashlights in the cockpit.

Now the technology is there to make a simple and cost-effective
improvement - but the FAA stands in the way. I am absolutely serious
when I say that the FAA is the biggest safety problem in GA.

They will make the replacement part and then get
creative in installing it to look like it was thier all the time.

Yup. But that only works when you use the same obsolete technology
the plane was built and certified with.

It's already happening in lots of small out
of the way airports but it will spread.

Sure is. Only way most normal folks can affort to fly.

Michael