K3 Data Plate Location

[HighWing]

Wow, I find this topic fascinating. Not necessarily for the answers it provides but from the standpoint of the personal whims of the inspector – DAR or FAA.

Dave quotes the regs:
45.11 Marking of products.

(a) Aircraft. A manufacturer of aircraft covered under §21.182 of this chapter must mark each aircraft by attaching a fireproof identification plate that—
(1) Includes the information specified in §45.13 using an approved method of fireproof marking;
(2) Must be secured in such a manner that it will not likely be defaced or removed during normal service, or lost or destroyed in an accident; and
(3) Except as provided in paragraphs (d) through (h) of this section, must be secured to the aircraft fuselage exterior so that it is legible to a person on the ground, and must be either adjacent to and aft of the rear-most entrance door or on the fuselage surface near the tail surfaces.

Dave , mounts to the fabric with an additional touch to “D” ring it to the tubing so as not to be lost in case of fire.

Phil does the same minus the “D”ring enhancement.

Kurt and Paul mount to the cover panel below the Elevator. I did as well on both of my airplanes.

Steve mounts his inside visible from the outside.

Jeff was required to mount to a “Structure”

My fist mount location – was on the aluminum closeout. This time the closeout is fiberglass as is Jeff’s vertical stabilizer fairing mount.

My thoughts: I am neither a DAR or FAA, but in my strict reading of 45-11 , Steve’s mount is the only one that violates the reg. as it is inside the aircraft vs. on the "aircraft fuselage exterior. But it was done per the DARs recommendation.

What is it with the total lack of consensus with the powers that be?

I just did a quick scan of the photos I took at the fly-ins we used to host. The trend then was to mount to the fabric under the elevator. Second were the mounts on the closeout under the elevator. Example: In 2003 Debra and John McBean came in the factory Red and white “Turbo” Series 6 N702KF – on the fabric under the elevator. Then a new owner brought the “Jimmy Franklin” Speedster N194KS – on the closeout. Both, of course factory creations

The advice to talk to the DAR might be a good idea, but...?