Alternative magnetic compass

A sailplane's Flight Manual usually requires a magnetic compass (or an aviation compass)as minimum equipment. Well, panel space has become less available and you are seeing fewer sailplanes with panel or glare-shield mounted 2.25 Airpath C2xxx or PAI-700 aircraft specific compasses.

Anyone have a "point" to an off panel compass that might meet FAA scrunity? Unfortunately the Cook compass manufactured by COBB-SLATER Instruments Co. Ltd is no longer available. http://compassmuseum.com/aero/aero.htm#COOK

Probably, a magnetic compass is the last instrument used by a competition pilot. Most competition sailplanes have 3 or more separate GPS engines and it is very simple to have them on independent battery sources. What would be the "penalty" if your sailplane failed a FAA "courtesy" ramp inspection because it lacked a magnetic compass?

Does a F-35 Lighting II joint strike fighter has a magnetic compass?

A poor showing during a ramp inspection (we're not happy until you're
not happy) would likely result in your aircraft being grounded until you
show compliance.

I'll bet the F-35 has a "whiskey" compass and I'll further wager that
the flight manual says something along the lines of, "Flying by use of
the magnetic compass is an emergency procedure." At least that's the
way it was back in the '70s.

On 10/28/2015 8:32 AM, wrote:
A sailplane's Flight Manual usually requires a magnetic compass (or an aviation compass)as minimum equipment. Well, panel space has become less available and you are seeing fewer sailplanes with panel or glare-shield mounted 2.25 Airpath C2xxx or PAI-700 aircraft specific compasses.

Anyone have a "point" to an off panel compass that might meet FAA scrunity? Unfortunately the Cook compass manufactured by COBB-SLATER Instruments Co. Ltd is no longer available. http://compassmuseum.com/aero/aero.htm#COOK

Probably, a magnetic compass is the last instrument used by a competition pilot. Most competition sailplanes have 3 or more separate GPS engines and it is very simple to have them on independent battery sources. What would be the "penalty" if your sailplane failed a FAA "courtesy" ramp inspection because it lacked a magnetic compass?

Does a F-35 Lighting II joint strike fighter has a magnetic compass?

--
Dan, 5J

On Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 7:53:14 AM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
A poor showing during a ramp inspection (we're not happy until
you're not happy) would likely result in your aircraft being
grounded until you show compliance.



I'll bet the F-35 has a "whiskey" compass and I'll further wager
that the flight manual says something along the lines of, "Flying by
use of the magnetic compass is an emergency procedure."* At least
that's the way it was back in the '70s.




On 10/28/2015 8:32 AM,
wrote:



A sailplane's Flight Manual usually requires a magnetic compass (or an aviation compass)as minimum equipment. Well, panel space has become less available and you are seeing fewer sailplanes with panel or glare-shield mounted 2.25 Airpath C2xxx or PAI-700 aircraft specific compasses.

Anyone have a "point" to an off panel compass that might meet FAA scrunity? Unfortunately the Cook compass manufactured by COBB-SLATER Instruments Co. Ltd is no longer available. http://compassmuseum.com/aero/aero.htm#COOK

Probably, a magnetic compass is the last instrument used by a competition pilot. Most competition sailplanes have 3 or more separate GPS engines and it is very simple to have them on independent battery sources. What would be the "penalty" if your sailplane failed a FAA "courtesy" ramp inspection because it lacked a magnetic compass?

Does a F-35 Lighting II joint strike fighter has a magnetic compass?





--

Dan, 5J

I wonder how many sailplanes have the required magnetic deviation card for their required compass.

On Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 11:21:11 AM UTC-4, jfitch wrote:
I wonder how many sailplanes have the required magnetic deviation
card for their required compass.

Wrong question! How many have actual values, and how many have
made up nonsense to satisfy the inspector?

See ya, Dave

Snip
I wonder how many sailplanes have the required magnetic deviation card
for their required compass.
/Snip

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....

--
Dan, 5J

If you're glider is registered as EXP, look for a PZL compass. Might fit in an odd "corner" of the panel.
Jim

I sell a TSO'd compass that is similar to the PZL compass. The SIRS Navigator.

You can find it he
http://www.foxonecorp.com/index.php/...uments/compass

Also have the standard Airpath and a panel mount SIRS compass as well. The Navigator is nice as a glareshield mount because it is smaller than the Airpath.

Typical mount in a glider involves removing the mounting arm and top plate from the compass and then screwing the compass to the instrument panel glareshield at the bottom. There is a slide on slide off "foot" at the bottom of the compas. This reduces the height of the unit by about 1/2 inch.


Dave Springford
www.foxonecorp.com

In the US you might check your glider Type Data Certificate. The Libelle H301 does not require a compass unless you are intending to do cloud flying, which is, of course, not permitted in the US contests. (However it is still possible to have a glider certificate with instrument privileges, but I haven't figured out how to take the test!)

Mike

Oops, I stand corrected, the TCDS for the Libelle requires a compass, HOWEVER, the pilot manual says that the compass is only required for cloud flying.

From the LAK-17a Flight Manual:

For cloud flying the following additional equipment is required:

- variometer;
- magnetic compass compensated in the sailplane;
- turn and bank indicator, non-icing;
- transceiver;
- parachute, automatic or manual opening type;
- thermometer for outside air;
- non-icing airspeed system.

The minimum equipment must correspond with national regulations.

I've been instrument rated for about 41 years and I don't know what a
non-icing turn and bank indicator is or how it works. Could someone
enlighten me, please? And let's not forget the pitot /and/ static
heat! Maybe total energy probe heat, as well. There's a mag compass
mounted at the far forward end of my glare shield (probably from the
factory) with a nice, flat black aluminum hood over it. It's below the
level of the plexiglass and unobtrusive and I practically never look at
it. Instead, I use that mountain 100 miles distant to orient myself.

On 10/28/2015 10:12 PM, SoaringXCellence wrote:
Oops, I stand corrected, the TCDS for the Libelle requires a compass, HOWEVER, the pilot manual says that the compass is only required for cloud flying.

--
Dan, 5J