Compass card

J

JOhnH

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Right Seater
I know that a certified avionics shop is requried to perform any maintenance or repairs on a compass, but who can fill out the compass card? I have just realized that the airplane I bought two years ago doesn't have a compass card in the plane. I seached the huge file of paperwork I received when I bought the plane and found the manual for the compass, I found 3x5 card with a few +/- entries and a stamp, but the little stick on "compass card" was blank. In order for my wife to start IFR training, I need the card filled out properly.
 
I had my A&P install and swing my rebuilt compass while he was doing some other work. The process is not difficult and anyone could do it, but I doubt that task falls under the "preventive maintenance" clause such that a pilot could legally do it himself.

Then again, my A&P didn't sign the correction card. For all the FAA knows, it could have been filled out by hangar elves...
 
My compass card is about the size of half a matchbook cover - written in elf writing. Don't know the point of it.
 
I used to let and FAA safety inspector fly my Citabria. Once he had the window open and the compass card blew out. When he landed, I was waiting to fly the airplane and didn't notice the card was gone. As soon as I started the engine, he told me to shut down and offered to write me up.

Fortunately, he was a buddy and was just yanking my chain! And the card was found under the seats.
 
An A&P can do the compass card and make the appropriate entry in the logs to show who did it, that the work was done properly, and the card was "installed" (you don't sign the card but you do sign the logs). All s/he needs is a certified compass rose or a reference compass, a pen, and a calendar (to date the card and log entry). Unfortunately, this is not "preventive maintenance" you can legally do yourself.
 
It's probably prudent at this time to do the whole compass swing and update the logs as required.
 
Ken Ibold said:
I used to let and FAA safety inspector fly my Citabria. Once he had the window open and the compass card blew out. When he landed, I was waiting to fly the airplane and didn't notice the card was gone. As soon as I started the engine, he told me to shut down and offered to write me up.

Fortunately, he was a buddy and was just yanking my chain! And the card was found under the seats.
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Under the seats is still inside the aircraft, isn't it?
 
Ron Levy said:
...but not displayed near the compass as required.
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Define "near".

And all this talk of "legality" is really fine for folks who will argue about how many FAA inspectors can dance on the head of a pin, but since the cc card has NO traceability on it, who is to say that it wasn't done by the person who did the LAST logbook entry?

As usual, I refer you to R. Bach, "Gift of Wings", pp 124-144, "Found at Pharisee" and "School for Perfection". :yinyang:

Thanks,

Jim
 
weirdjim said:
Define "near".
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There is an FAA definition for that, but I can't quote it off the top of my head and don't feel like hunting for it. However, any shop that does panel rebuilds probably knows the answer.

And all this talk of "legality" is really fine for folks who will argue about how many FAA inspectors can dance on the head of a pin, but since the cc card has NO traceability on it, who is to say that it wasn't done by the person who did the LAST logbook entry?
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The date written on the card (yes, it's supposed to be dated) compared to the date in the logs for the last swing or accuracy check. And if you have logged avionics changes since that last date, that's evidence that the last shop doing that work didn't do everything they were supposed to.

As for your comments regarding Mr. Bach, that may be fine for you, but since they're asking, it appears some folks really do want to know the legally correct answers.
 
Ron Levy said:
There is an FAA definition for that, but I can't quote it off the top of my head and don't feel like hunting for it. However, any shop that does panel rebuilds probably knows the answer.

Like any placard it must be in full view of the pilot.

The date written on the card (yes, it's supposed to be dated) compared to the date in the logs for the last swing or accuracy check. And if you have logged avionics changes since that last date, that's evidence that the last shop doing that work didn't do everything they were supposed to.

mind explaining that ?

As for your comments regarding Mr. Bach, that may be fine for you, but since they're asking, it appears some folks really do want to know the legally correct answers.
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If they really want to be correct ask the FAA not any on line expert.
 
Like any placard it must be in full view of the pilot.


You mean like the one in the baggage compartment that limits baggage to 120 pounds or the one on the fuel caps that limit the amount and octane of the fuel?

That just isn't true.

Jim
 
But it is true of the compass card, and that's what the rest of us were talking about.
Sec. 23.1547

Magnetic direction indicator.

(a) A placard meeting the requirements of this section must be installed on or near the magnetic direction indicator.
(b) The placard must show the calibration of the instrument in level flight with the engines operating.
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And for those with CAR 3-certified planes, the wording in CAR 3.758 is "shall be installed on or in close proximity to the magnetic direction indicator."
 
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weirdjim said:
Like any placard it must be in full view of the pilot.


You mean like the one in the baggage compartment that limits baggage to 120 pounds or the one on the fuel caps that limit the amount and octane of the fuel?

That just isn't true.

Jim
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When Jim is loading the baggage, can Jim see the placard? the rule doesn't say the pilot must be in their seat.

I agree with Ron on this one. upside down under the seat ain't getting it .
 
Tom-D said:
When Jim is loading the baggage, can Jim see the placard? the rule doesn't say the pilot must be in their seat.

I agree with Ron on this one. upside down under the seat ain't getting it .
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Gee, guys, I was kidding. Gotta start using those smileys more, I guess.:goofy:
 
AuntPeggy said:
Gee, guys, I was kidding. Gotta start using those smileys more, I guess.:goofy:
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Sorry. :redface: However, there really are folks who confuse merely being "in the airplane" with meeting the legal requirements for installation/display of various things such as clocks and airworthiness certificates.
 
What's legal isn't always safe,What's safe isn't always legal, but common sense goes a long ways in both directions.
 
Tom-D said:
What's legal isn't always safe,What's safe isn't always legal, but common sense goes a long ways in both directions.
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Regrettably, "common sense" alone has never been a viable defense to an FAA enforcement action.
 
I love how you guys can make the angels dance on the head of the pin, even over the lowly compass correction card. (I chuckle at this because one year I noticed mine faded and wasn't too readable, so I had a nice new one made).

:cheerswine:
 
rpadula said:
I love how you guys can make the angels dance on the head of the pin, even over the lowly compass correction card. (I chuckle at this because one year I noticed mine faded and wasn't too readable, so I had a nice new one made).
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FWIW, I don't see the FAA getting upset over recopying the data to a clean card and putting it back in its holder all by yourself as long as the data are the same as previously computed -- no requirement for the card itself to be signed.
 
Ron Levy said:
Regrettably, "common sense" alone has never been a viable defense to an FAA enforcement action.
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But it does keep you out of the lime light.
 
Ron Levy said:
Actually, it's defenses like that which DO put you on the NTSB's web site.
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the common sense part is not placing your self in the violation in the first place.
 
Ron Levy said:
No argument there. Unfortunately, common sense alone seems to be inadequate for figuring out what is/is not legal.
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One can't go thru life with crainalkrectitis and expect no consequences.
 
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