I did not see any reference to this being an experimental aircraft.
I just saw this from the original message:
>I've been asked to look at a cruise control for a single-
>engined light plane.
I assumed he was referring to a plane like a Cessna.


I read this part of the original message to mean that he might do a
production run of these devices.
>I'd just like to know whether I'm hundreds or thousands
>of dollars off-beam. As there could be a small run follow up,
>it would be nice to know I could actually get a reasonable return

If in fact it's an experimental plane and it's a one off device then I
wouldn't worry much about liability. Although I'd probably get a signed
waiver from the person doing the flyer so that the heirs can't sue.

If however it's going to be produced in some quantity and sold to the flying
public I still suggest checking the liability coverage. Not much worse than
having your liability carrier tell you no that wasn't covered after
something comes up. Much safer to at least ask about it first regardless of
where you live.


Paul

> -----Original Message-----
> [mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU]On Behalf Of Dave King
> Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2002 2:58 PM
> Subject: Re: [EE]: Airplane cruise control
>
>
>
> There has never been a successful lawsuit involving experimental
> aircraft  even in
> the US. That doesn't mean you couldn't experience  some legal fee's. And
> generally they tend to do a sue/serve first and sort them out
> later routine.
> In other words you could get named but as soon as they find out
> your pockets
> are just deep enough to hold small change they stop.
>
> Plus he's in NZ which like us (Canucks) use a different standard for civil
> suits
> than the US. You have to prove actual damages not just pain and suffering.
> Here if you sue and loose you get to pay everyone's legal fee's as well so
> you have to be right. To do anything to him he'd have to be sued
> in NZ anyway.
> assuming that he intended to make this a commercial product not
> just a one off
> which he hasn't said yet.
>
> Lawyers are like nukes. As long as you don't use them everything is fine,
> as soon
> as you do everything gets F'd up ;-]
>
> Dave
>
>

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