Quote Originally Posted by rwanttaja View Post
Back when the Mode C veil was instituted here in Seattle, a friend of mine (EAA Tech Counselor, in fact) pulled the alternator from his T-18 so he didn't have to install a transponder. His argument was the wording of 14 CFR 91.215 which excepted the following aircraft from the requirement: "...any aircraft which was not originally certificated with an engine-driven electrical system or which has not subsequently been certified with such a system installed...
Seems it would depend on the definition of certificated as used within the context of 91.215.

If the FAA meant "type certificated" then a homebuilt is free and clear. If the FAA meant certificated as in received an airworthiness certificate....that would really cloud things over as issuance of an a/w certificate is an administrative process only that does not include technical details such as whether or not an engine driven electrical system is installed.

If the latter is true, your friend can reinstall his electrical system and say his T-18 was originally certificated without an engine drive electrical system. The engine driven electrical system was added later but never certified. (.215(b)(3) says subsequently been "certified" with such a system installed). If we use the logic that issuance of an a/w certificate is the point where the airplane becomes certified that would not take place until a new airworthiness certificate is issued.