Electricly Adjustable Prop Legality

[WWhunter]

Ok guys, I have seen this written several times on various flying threads and personally have my doubts that it is legal.
What I am refering to is the people that placard an electrically adjustable prop switch with some such wording as " ground use only".... "not to be used in flight"....this is used to get around the LSA rules stating a prop has to be ground adjustable or fixed pitched only.
Are people actually allowed to skirt the rule by doing this?

[cluttonfred]

I am sure it will be just fine unless and until the FAA or insurance company investigation after a crash. If you moved the switch to inside the cowling or some other spot inaccessible in flight, you could make the case that it is for convenient ground adjustment only. Otherwise, to my mind, it's like installing retractable gear and promising not to use it -- a clear violation of the spirit and probably the letter of the rules.

Ok guys, I have seen this written several times on various flying threads and personally have my doubts that it is legal.
What I am refering to is the people that placard an electrically adjustable prop switch with some such wording as " ground use only".... "not to be used in flight"....this is used to get around the LSA rules stating a prop has to be ground adjustable or fixed pitched only.
Are people actually allowed to skirt the rule by doing this?

[WWhunter]

Mathew I totally agree. That is why I posed the question.....I keep seeing guys state that this is what they are going to do to 'skirt' the issue. All this does in my mind is give the FAA another reason to clamp down on what little freedoms we have left. I just would like to see a clear ruling on it to be able to pose to the people that plan on installing an electric prop in their plane.

[Bob Dingley]

This is what I have seen the FSDO approve: In fact they directed it:

Turbine aircraft carrying 10 or more passengers need a two pilot crew. If only one pilot is available, Seats can be either removed or placarded "Do not occupy".. Make a log book entry that the bird is limited to nine passengers. If seats are removed, change W&B chart C.

If an engine control system that the FAA directed to be installed for certification turns out to be a big mistake, it can be disabled. This is how it is officially done:

Pull that system's circuit breaker.
put a tie wrap around the circuit breaker to prevent reset.
Glue a placard to the instrument panel that says "( Name of system) disabled."
Put an entry in the log book stating that the system is disabled.

If your prop doesn't have a CB, install one in plain sight that you can be tie wraped. Any questions, get back with me. The whole story will make you ROTFLYAO.
Bob

[WLIU]

I second Mr Dingley's recommendation. My experience is identical. A placard, in the eyes of the FAA, radiates a regulatory force field that forces compliance, so the correct placard takes care of all issues.

Best of luck,

Wes

[cluttonfred]

Yes, disabling the system per Bob' suggestions would certainly seem to resolve the issue except that the regulations specifically require that the airplane be originally certificated and ***continuously operated within the LSA definition*** in order to be eligible for operation by sport pilots. Doesn't that mean that the aircraft would not be eligible to be operated by a sport pilot if the prop pitch adjustment had EVER been used in-flight ?

[WLIU]

That issue can not come up because with the correct placard the situation that you describe is not possible.

And this is not a forum for suggesting operation contrary to the FARs.

Best of luck,

Wes
N78PS

[Mike M]

That issue can not come up because with the correct placard the situation that you describe is not possible.

And this is not a forum for suggesting operation contrary to the FARs.

Best of luck,

Wes
N78PS

OUTSTANDING ANSWER! "with the correct placard the situation ... is not possible" !!!!

[Kevin O'Halloran]

I'm sure everyone on this list turns off their " Only for VFR use GPS" when they get into IFR

[Bob Dingley]

If we were all flying self launch gliders, we would not be having this conversation.

I am hot headed enough to request a waiver useing the usual buzz words like "no appreciable effect on safety",etc.

I have flown under various waivers from time to time. My bosses asked for all of them, not me. FAA granted some without even being requested. None were listed in the FAA list of waiverable FARs. (FAR 91-905)

Bob