Why IFR? Did you mention anything to them about flying IFR? You certainly can’t fly IFR during the test period. You should be able to license your plane with just minimum VFR equipment (many have been so licensed).

It is possible to purchase a factory new, FAA type certificated airplane with no radios and basic VFR instrumentation. Clearly, this would not be IFR legal. At a later date you could add radios and other equipment specified by the FARs and make it legal IFR. I am aware of NO requirement that the airplane be IFR legal for initial certification.  Furthermore, I am unable to find any FAR requirement for an alternate static source for VFR or IFR flight.

You can show them a razor blade that you carry to cut the static line and vent it to the cabin. This is as good an "alternate static source" as you are going to get.

Bill Harrelson
N5ZQ 320 2,150 hrs
N6ZQ  IV  0 hours






-----Original Message----- From: Greenbacks, UnLtd.
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 7:38 AM
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: [LML] Re: FAA certification

Last Friday and 4hrs into the inspection, the process came to a screeching halt when I was unable to show an alternate static source was installed. The inspector wanted to be sure 4ZQ had all the equipment required for IFR flight. Needless to say, I was none too pleased but saluted and said yes sir, right away sir since his return visit is scheduled for this coming Friday. I have no particular interest in arm-wreastling with the guy but can one of you, just one of you point to an FAA legal requirement that my little pip squeak of a 360 have an alternate static source to be legal for IFR?

He had some long checklist of items, presumably from within the bowels of the FAA, but then he completely overlooked the missing cotter pin at the left main axle.

Angier Ames
N4ZQ
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