Frans and all,
Some comments on your safety improvement list
1) Safety belts.
Do not use types which formulate loops - Agreed
Make modified upper fixing points - Agreed
I am not sure you need the "lengthened and foldable headrest".
2) Fuel systems
- routing outside the cabin (weight penalty none or some) - Agreed in
principal. G-IANI is a Trigear so all the fuel system is in the centre
tunnel
- return line with one-way-valve or emergency off-selector - Sounds a
good
idea, I will talk to LAA about this
- do not use original glass fuel filters ' They have there limitation
but
are acceptable if they are accessible and can be monitored and cleaned.
Has
anyone found a reasonably priced substitute we could standardise on.
- consider the safety of sight gauge and it=B4s location. ' What the
manual
recommends is not good. Of the variations that builders have done which
is
the best compromise in terms of safety and functionality?
- have a fuel warning /gauge/pressure gauge /computer - Agreed I would
not
fly G-IANI without it
3) Doors
- use unintentioned opening guards and secure them with pip-pins to
levers
- In the UK the LAA do not approve this. It is a value judgement on the
risks involved.
- install serial connected micro switches w warning lights behind shoot
bolts. - OK but, as Karl said, they can lead to a false sense of
security.
A manual check is essential
4) Cowlings
- do not make those little oil/water check doors - so you have to take
whole
upper cowling away and see and check same time much much more (weight
penalty none, use cam locks or equal - so it is pleasure to open so
often
you like - I do it every 5 flight hrs)
I have Southco fasteners on my cowl. They are a lot of work to fit but
do
make removing the cowl a lot easier. I still think you need the
oil/water
check doors for doing the daily =93A=94 check.
5) Electrics
- use two serial connected master switches; so called panel mstr leaves
juice for trim, stall warner, charging for emergency batteries, clocks,
burglar alarms, horns, convenience lights AND an engine starter - total
master cuts everything (weight penalty none, normally my total master is
always on, I close it only during longs stays over two weeks or just
before
possible crash I wish, panel mstr switch uses light weight 40A relay
which
uses only few milliamperes, total mstr switch is mechanical with "a key"
and
uses 0 amperes)
That is essentially how G-IANI is set up1. Both my switches are
mechanical
6) Cockpit equipments
- have a carbon monoxide detector - Agreed
- have a Halon fire extinguisher ' Agreed it is a requirement in the
UK
- have a personal locater beacon with gps - Agreed
- have a stall warner or AoA indicator - Agreed
7) Outside equipments
- have at least strobes - Agreed. This is something that should be in
the
manual
Ian Rickard G-IANI XS Trigear, 280 hours
Europa Club Mods Rep (Trigear)
e-mail g-iani@ntlworld.com
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