matthew wise wrote: > > FlyBaby > > Thanks for the response Ron, just looked up the > weight of generator/starter/battery...the bare > essentials. Generator: 9.75 lbs. Starter: 16.0 lbs. > Gill Battery: 21.0 lbs. So the bare minimum totals > 46.75 lbs...all up front which would have to be > compensated in the tail which adds even more > weight...plus battery cables and like as you > mentioned. I never intended to have a transponder or > light system though. I'm leaning heavily towards not > having an electrical system. Good. Look into getting or making a glider-hook release mechanism. We had one on N500F and it was great...tie the tail to a tiedown rope, prop the engine, get in, then pull the handle to release the hook when you're ready to taxi. As far as a transponder is concerned, if you have an electrical system, you'll need a transponder to fly within the 30-mile "veil" around TCAs (excuse me, "Class B Airspace"). That's even if you don't intend on entering the TCA itself..that's just to fly within 30nm of one. If you leave off the electrical system, you can fly within the Veil. I'm based just 10 miles from Sea-Tac; I have to have one. In the past, the FAA has defined "electrical system" as being a battery, a generator/alternator, and a regulator. Get rid of any of those elements, and you legally don't have an electrical system. I know a T-18 without a generator; he just plugs in a trickle charger while the plane sits in the hangar. > Just out of curiosity, and I know you've been flying > yours for some time, but at 800 lbs empty you must > exceed the design gross weight of 925 by at least 150 > lbs. Do you feel comfortable doing this? Considering, too, that I'm one laaaarrrggge hunk of suet, me 'n Moonraker exceed the limit by a pretty good amount. I'm not too worried for several reasons. First, I've got 3 forward flying wires per side, vice 2. Second, I'm a very sedate pilot... I fly pretty gently, and don't like to pull Gs. The max my G meter has indicated from flight loads is about 2 1/2 Gs. Third, I'm a pretty experienced Fly Baby pilot by now, and don't slam the airplane on the ground as hard as I used to. Given my 'druthers, I'd love for Moonraker to lose about 100 pounds (well, me too, but we know how probable THAT is). I doubt it'll happen, because of the requirement that I pack a transponder (the rule is written to excuse airplanes CERTIFIED without electrical systems...I can't pull the generator and claim that I no longer have to have a transponder). Ron Wanttaja