This topic has covered so much ground it's hard to comment without missing a lot.
Form 337 A form 337 is required for any major repair or major alteration. Major alterations (and major repairs) are defined in part 43, appendix A. An STC is by definition a major alteration as it modifies the type certificate, therefore, installation of an STC requires a form 337. Every Form 337 must be accompanied by approved data supporting the modification (or repair). An STC is approved data. So is a field approval. There are others. In general, anything that is permanently attached to the airframe and permanently connected to the electrical system is considered a major alteration (unless it's covered by the type certificate). This is why a portable GPS is OK but a panel mounted one is not. A flat panel display is doubly troublesome because you are adding equipment which, if it does not perform correctly, could have a seriously detrimental effect on the safety of flight. Identifying and flying with failed instruments is hard enough with a standard panel and a current, instrument rated pilot. A non-approved display in an unapproved installation is just the thing for the aspiring John Kennedy Jr's among us. Car 3, Car 4a and Part 23 These are certification regulations. Your aircraft must meet the regulation under which it was certified, or its properly modified configuration. Car 3 and 4a did not require an anti-collision lighting system. Therefore, your 'Coupe is not required to have an anti-collision lighting system. (read on...) Part 43 and Part 91 These are the regulations governing maintenance and operation. Today's maintenance and operation must be according to the most recent versions of these regs. (Note that the current versions sometimes explicitly refer to previous versions for certain circumstances, e.g. anti-collision lighting, in which case the previous version applies.) To fly VFR at night you must have an approved anti-collision lighting system. Therefore, to fly your 'Coupe at night, you must have an approved anti-collision lighting system. However, because of the certification date, that system is not required to meet the most current standards for anti-collision lighting. What did I miss? John Cooper Skyport Services 4996 Delaware Tnpk Rensselaerville, NY 12147 518 797-3064 www.skyportservices.net
