Vintage Aircraft Replacement & Modification Article

[Steve Pierce]

Vintage Aircraft Replacement & Modification Article (VARMA)

I can see several items this process might work on. Alternators, regulators on VFR airplanes. Brakes, tailwheels and more.

[Scott M]

Still need a 337 though. So Im not sure how it will work. Will we need approved data ?

[Jim]

Hi,

Here's an article on the topic.

https://generalaviationnews.com/2023...ated-aircraft/

[Steve Pierce]

Says a case by case basis. I have been good at documenting things like this with data using other aircraft type certificates and parts manuals. To quote my old PMI (FAA Primary Maintenance Inspector) " you aren't reinventing the wheel, just building a better mouse trap". I miss him every time I deal with the local FSDO.

[grbamford]

This is good news. Was reading through the article posted by Jim. It has a link concerning a similar type of approval for Dyson EFIS for an experimental aircraft that was STC'd to be installed in a vintage aircraft. Article mentions that further approvals and companies were pending. Am I wrong in the way I read the article? Does anyone have any visibility on where this went? May be barking up the wrong tree, but it would seem to me, that avionics for experimental aircraft, installed in our aircraft, would be a logical path of progression. Besides, who wouldn't want to save the money for the same piece of glass in the cockpit without paying such a huge differential?

[Scott M]

I’m all for it also but the EAA example was to submit a 337 for installation of an off the shelf starter solenoid. This would mean it’s viewed as a major alteration which means it needs approved data. This has always been tougher because of the higher threshold. As an IA with an O-290 can I use this to install pistons from combustion technologies ?

[Steve Pierce]

I think the point of all this is a way to substitute parts and pieces that already meet some sort of FAA approval on an aircraft that it is not approved on. Example would be wheels and brakes, alternators and regulators, shimmy dampener etc.

[Gilbert Pierce]

I used this 2009 document to get a field approval for a readily available Mitchell 30 ohm fuel gage used in the Helio H series aircraft to replace the inop unavailable one in my Clipper. $89.00.
Whats the difference in this and their new effort?
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_poli...mentid/1021446

https://www.chiefaircraft.com/mit-d1-211-5076.html

[Scott M]

Good question. It seems like AC 23-27 and field approvals already get you there. I think what we really need is a pathway around field approvals and one time STCs as they are becoming to difficult for many people

[JPerkins]

I agree with Scott. Getting a field approval via my local FSDO is non existent. I don’t see them being any responsive to a VARMA letter.
Be nice if they would give a little more authority to the IA and let him make the determination. I find it annoying how they don’t want responsibility yet are reluctant to relinquish authority.