Backup COMM or Nav/Comm?

[FastEddieB]

Isn't it stated somewhere else, that if an aircraft had an electrical system that it had to have a transponder? Or is that only if equipped with a generator/alternator?

Neither that I know of.

If you can find a source for that, please edify me!

[SportPilot]

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[Merlinspop]

Isn't it stated somewhere else, that if an aircraft had an electrical system that it had to have a transponder? Or is that only if equipped with a generator/alternator?

Neither that I know of.

If you can find a source for that, please edify me!

I think this is what I was thinking about (see section D):

§ 99.13 Transponder-on requirements.
(a) Aircraft transponder-on operation. Each person operating an aircraft into or out of the United States into, within, or across an ADIZ designated in subpart B of this part, if that aircraft is equipped with an operable radar beacon transponder, shall operate the transponder, including altitude encoding equipment if installed, and shall reply on the appropriate code or as assigned by ATC.

(b) ATC transponder equipment and use. Effective September 7, 1990, unless otherwise authorized by ATC, no person may operate a civil aircraft into or out of the United States into, within, or across the contiguous U.S. ADIZ designated in subpart B of this part unless that aircraft is equipped with a coded radar beacon transponder.

(c) ATC transponder and altitude reporting equipment and use. Effective December 30, 1990, unless otherwise authorized by ATC, no person may operate a civil aircraft into or out of the United States into, within, or across the contiguous U.S. ADIZ unless that aircraft is equipped with a coded radar beacon transponder and automatic pressure altitude reporting equipment having altitude reporting capability that automatically replies to interrogations by transmitting pressure altitude information in 100-foot increments.

(d) Paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section do not apply to the operation of an aircraft which was not originally certificated with an engine-driven electrical system and which has not subsequently been certified with such a system installed, a balloon, or a glider.

[conjecture] So, I suppose someone could comply with the lighting requirement with a battery powered electrical system and still not have to have a transponder if they want to fly in an ADIZ. [/conjecture]
And it doesn't appear to be a universal requirement for an aircraft with an engine drive electrical system... it reads as if it just pertains to the ADIZ. Maybe...the FARs have lots of gotchas in different places.

[Merlinspop]

yup, both what I found and SP found have the same "any aircraft which was not originally certificated with an engine-driven electrical system or which has not subsequently been certified with such a system installed" caveat, so a battery powered anti-collision system could conceivably fulfill the lighting requirement, but still not require a transponder.

Add an alternator to charge that battery, though...

[SportPilot]

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[SportPilot]

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[SportPilot]

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[Merlinspop]

(11) For small civil airplanes certificated after March 11, 1996, in accordance with part 23 of this chapter, an approved aviation red or aviation white anticollision light system. In the event of failure of any light of the anticollision light system, operation of the aircraft may continue to a location where repairs or replacement can be made.

Note the lights are required for airplanes certificated after 3/11/96. Most of the airplanes with no electrical system and transponder are much older and don't require the lights either for daytime VFR.

You missed my point... I'm saying it's conceivable that a new plane could be certified now, and still not be required to have one. I don't think they would sell any (see Legend's success with their stripped down Cub - I believe they sold zero of them), but the FARs don't appear to preclude it.

But anyway, these sections are where I recalled seeing the exclusions that referred to engine driven electrical systems.

[SportPilot]

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[Merlinspop]

(11) For small civil airplanes certificated after March 11, 1996, in accordance with part 23 of this chapter, an approved aviation red or aviation white anticollision light system. In the event of failure of any light of the anticollision light system, operation of the aircraft may continue to a location where repairs or replacement can be made.

Note the lights are required for airplanes certificated after 3/11/96. Most of the airplanes with no electrical system and transponder are much older and don't require the lights either for daytime VFR.

You missed my point... I'm saying it's conceivable that a new plane could be certified now, and still not be required to have one. I don't think they would sell any (see Legend's success with their stripped down Cub - I believe they sold zero of them), but the FARs don't appear to preclude it.

But anyway, these sections are where I recalled seeing the exclusions that referred to engine driven electrical systems.

No plane is required to have transponder except where it is required. Class A, B, C, 30 nm of class B primary airport, above B and C, etc. In those places, all planes are required to have transponder except the 30 nm exemption, etc. for planes with no electrical.

You just can't resist being argumentative, can you?

[SportPilot]

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[drseti]

OK, children, now that everybody's had his say, can we please get back on topic?

[Merlinspop]

OK, children, now that everybody's had his say, can we please get back on topic?

Ok, fair enough....so jumping back 4 pages to the original question (copying, to refresh memories):

I want a handheld backup radio - ICOMM makes what I can see is the cheapest LiIon IC-A14 unit out there and it's about $215 . If I have an Ipad for GPS navigation, is there any reason you can think that I'd need backup navigation on the radio as well?

Since the OP specified a handheld, already has an iPad for GPS navigation and presumably (given this is a Light Sport forum) is flying in VFR weather, I'd lean toward the comm only. One can always find a scenario where the nav may be helpful, but the greatest utility would come from the comm side, so go with that. Chances are you've got a smartphone in your pocket, so there's a backup to the iPad.

In a panel mount, there are more compelling arguments for a nav/com.