Tony R
I am pleased that you think that my attitude sucks !. Perhaps if GA had a few more people like me about with this dreadfull attitude then a bit more common sence would be the order of the day and we would all not be chasing bits of expencive paper over what is a very small issue.
Right now we have an aircraft grounded over a bank holiday weekend waiting for a bit of paper when flying without this bit of kit has been "custom and practice" with glider tugs ( with or without hoffman ) for so long that no one seems to know where the DDA came from.
It is high time that this aviation "one rule fitts all" attitude was put in its box , the GA industry simply can't be administered in exactily the same way as if it is an airliner that you are dealing with before we all vannish under a mountain of paper that costs more than the aircraft !.
But if you all want to go down that road letts get it clear , the CAA CANT issue you authority to fly the aircraft without some bit of kit for that you have to go to the design authority and get a "design deviation authority" or DDA ( the JAA may have changed the terms ) but it is my guess that Robin are going to be astonished to recive this request !.
TonyR once more may I thank you for your kind words.