Gross Weight?

[jdmcbean]

For clarity sake:
One should not remove and replace the data plate without understanding the rules governing that. It can get a little strange and I can assure you that there is a picture in the FSDO file of the data plate for that aircraft should an incident occur. The DAR and the FAA has taken pictures of every one we have done. 14 CFR part 43 and part 45

The Model IV 1050 gross to 1200 gross modification offered by DennyAerocraft and was done for float operations ONLY. Once floats were removed and returned the gear it did not apply and was once again a 1050. The equivalent of adding the 10-15 percent gross increase when on floats... very similar to what happens on many of the certified aircraft. This has been true to my personal knowledge since 1999. This does not apply to the Model 3.
There is no test data to substantiate this modification. We also have not been able to find any aircraft "DATA" to support the automatic increase of gross weight by 10-15 percent because it is put on floats.

The entry in the log book for the phase one completion should state the gross the V speeds were obtained.

The Weight and Balance sheet is required to have in the aircraft and should reflect the actual empty weight and balance with the gross weight. However, these can be (and have been) changed.

The Limitations, also required to have in the aircraft, may or may not have the gross weight shown as the phase one testing has not been accomplished.

So the log book will most likely be the bible... but if the data plate, log book and weight and balance sheet do not match it will raise questions.

Who will know?? maybe no one... but if there is an incident or accident the records will be looked at with more scrutiny by the FAA and certainly the insurance.

PS.. there is no requirement to have the gross weight on the data plate. But if it is you can bet it will be used.

[Paul Z]

That is why I said check the paperwork with the FAA. I'd bet their paperwork will show the weight & balance that is currently with the airplane has been modified and dated appropriately. I had one person trying to sell me a Kitfox that had a weight & balance for both 1550 lbs & 1320 lbs. he said to pick the one I wanted to use. I hadn't thought of the fact that with the ID plate saying 1550 lbs, someone will probably flow it at that weight. By regulation if the plane had been flown at that weight it would no longer be elligable 1320 lb weight limit. Personally, with that in mind if you are looking for a 1320 lb aircraft, I'd walk away from that plane.

[gbright]

I hear you John.

This Fox 7 has an interesting history. Built in Oregon, now living in the NE.

I am guessing this Fox didn't have any pictures taken, because of the log book lack of data.

The log book has the all the entries shown by TJ below, except the values are ALL BLANKs, i.e. no values filled in, just lines drawn to fill in the values including gross weight.

The weight and balance is shown as 1320 and is dated the same day as the initial entries.

The data plate appears to be glued on from the picture (a dot of glue in each hole, one side is loose and pulled away from the fabric.

If the log book governs, it seems to be LSA confirmed by the weight and balance.

Interesting set of facts.

Grant

[avidflyer]

It is not very hard to get the paperwork the FAA has on a plane.


Serial Number 27-7304926 Status Expired Manufacturer Name PIPER Certificate Issue Date 08/10/1995 Model PA-23-250 Expiration Date 06/30/2012 Type Aircraft Fixed Wing Multi-Engine Type Engine Reciprocating Pending Number Change None Dealer No Date Change Authorized None Mode S Code (base 8 / oct) 50130327 MFR Year 1972 Mode S Code (base 16 / hex) A0B0D7 Type Registration Co-Owned Fractional Owner NO


Registered Owner

Name ELLEDGE KERMIT L Street 301 SHEFFIELD DR City SOUTHLAKE State TEXAS County TARRANT Zip Code 76092-7142 Country UNITED STATES


Airworthiness

Engine Manufacturer LYCOMING Classification Standard Engine Model TI0-540 SER Category Normal A/W Date 10/13/1972
The information contained in this record should be the most current Airworthiness information available in the historical aircraft record. However, this data alone does not provide the basis for a determination regarding the airworthiness of an aircraft or the current aircraft configuration. For specific information, you may request a copy of the aircraft record at http://aircraft.faa.gov/e.gov/ND/


If you click on the bottom link, it will take you to the page where you can get the paperwork for this plane. I just picked an N # at random to show this and this plane came up. I did a copy and paste from the FAA website, and for some reason just the wordage showed up, not the form it's all typed into. I've ordered paperwork from the FAA for several different planes, and never saw any pictures that had been taken of anything. Not saying there aren't any, but none came to me from the FAA. On one plane, there were about 160 pages. That one cost about $15. Jim Chuk