Electrical System - yes or no?

[Chewie 19]

Do the FAR allow VFR day flying with no electrical system, and therefore no anticollision lighting?  If you get your E-AB airworthiness without an electrical system, can you add one later?

 

Cons of no electrical system are obvious - no night, no engine monitors and other toys, hand propping...

but... there's something to be said for simplicity.  If it ain't there, it costs nothing, weighs nothing and never fails, I think someone on here said that once.  And it's faster to build!

 

Mark

 

 

[1avidflyer 1983]

Lights are not required for daytime VFR.  I'm sure you could add them later.  If it's a major change to the aircraft, (probably not), you have to notify the nearest FSDO and go back into phase one flight testing.  Your operating limitations issued by the DAR will spell out what you have to do for a major change.  Jim Chuk

[EDMO 1078]

Lights are not a major change - Standard EAA oplims include something like "eligible for night flight when properly equipped, per FAR-----".  I believe with the new oplims by EAA, a major change is just a logbook entry, and W/B if significant change there.

Night flight includes other equipment too -

You could have a starter and battery - but no generator - but why?  So you can cross TCA control zones without a transponder?

EDMO

I know where there is a PA-12 set up that way - he gets away with having "no electrical system".

EDMO

Edited 27 Jan 2014 by Ed In Missouri

[Bandit 286]

I know where there is a Avid with no electrical system to.