My Pietenpol has no electrical system, and so no transponder, however I am fairly close to DFW airspace (actually I live in the surface class B). I know I can operate under the mode C veil, as long as I don't actually enter class B. However, what are the formalities that apply? Reading the AOPA and EAA websites, it sounds like there is no paperwork involved (or at least they don't mention it). However the FARs say:
http://www.faa.gov/atpubs/FAC/Ch5/s0504.html#5-4-2
quote:
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1. Approvals to deviate from the Mode C requirement by operators of aircraft without transponders shall be issued by the facility AT manager or his/her designee.
2. Authorizations may be issued for a single event or on a continuing basis.
(a) Single-event authorizations may be issued verbally or in a letter to the proponent.
(B) Long term authorizations must be issued in writing by the appropriate facility AT manager or his/her designee. In cases involving another facility's airspace or fringe airports, the authorization should be incorporated into a LOA. Multi-signature LOAs should be used in situations involving two or more individual operators.
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I don't know how difficult it is to get either waiver. The single event waiver must be done at least an hour in advance. I need the permanent waiver however. I called the FSDO, the guy I spoke to didn't really seem to understand my question and told me I needed to write a letter to someone else.
How common is it to fly under the veil with no transponder/no electrical system without getting permission first? I intend to get the waiver, but it is going to be a while until I figure out who I need to talk to and actually work out all of the details. If I fly the plane into a class D airport before I have the waiver, am I going to make anyone mad, or is that something that is acceptable? I have spoken to pilots who do just that and didn't think it was a big deal at all. One said he called first and they acted like the didn't know why he was asking.
Thanks for any input!
http://www.faa.gov/atpubs/FAC/Ch5/s0504.html#5-4-2
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Approvals to deviate from the Mode C requirement by operators of aircraft without transponders shall be issued by the facility AT manager or his/her designee.
2. Authorizations may be issued for a single event or on a continuing basis.
(a) Single-event authorizations may be issued verbally or in a letter to the proponent.
(B) Long term authorizations must be issued in writing by the appropriate facility AT manager or his/her designee. In cases involving another facility's airspace or fringe airports, the authorization should be incorporated into a LOA. Multi-signature LOAs should be used in situations involving two or more individual operators.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't know how difficult it is to get either waiver. The single event waiver must be done at least an hour in advance. I need the permanent waiver however. I called the FSDO, the guy I spoke to didn't really seem to understand my question and told me I needed to write a letter to someone else.
How common is it to fly under the veil with no transponder/no electrical system without getting permission first? I intend to get the waiver, but it is going to be a while until I figure out who I need to talk to and actually work out all of the details. If I fly the plane into a class D airport before I have the waiver, am I going to make anyone mad, or is that something that is acceptable? I have spoken to pilots who do just that and didn't think it was a big deal at all. One said he called first and they acted like the didn't know why he was asking.
Thanks for any input!