Avionics change requirements

[VORTIME]

Hi -

What are the requirements for installing/replacing avionics in various categories of aircraft? CofA, microlight, LAA etc? Which category gives you the most freedom to install your own non TSO'd stuff?

VT

[A and C]

Your question is far to broad and there are too many variables.

[Rod1]

If you own a BMAA or LAA permit to fly machine (micro or Group A/SEP) then you have a lot of freedom. You have to fit approved radio and transponder, but just about everything else does not need to be certified kit. You can do the work yourself provided you follow good engineering practice, but you need your inspector to be happy with what you have in mind and to sign it off. If it is too unusual they may bounce it off LAA/BMAA eng.

Rod1

[Jan Olieslagers]

A&C is right: at the very least you ought to specify which national registry is concerned.
Though generally speaking, CofA will have the strictest ruleset.

Remember that it is not impossible to be completely outside regulations, for example by using a "handheld" transceiver, like the ubiquitous Icom A6, probably mounted loosely to the panel. But then you might have to deal with your national telecom agency to get the required permissions.

[VORTIME]

What about Dynon's non TSO'd radio, how is this deemed 'approved'? I thought it was just the transponder that was requiring TSO?

[Maoraigh1]

If you own a BMAA or LAA permit to fly machine (micro or Group A/SEP) then you have a lot of freedom. You have to fit approved radio and transponder, but just about everything else does not need to be certified kit

But will you have that freedom if you want approval for night or IFR flying from the LAA?

[QUOTE]During April 2014 we willprovide approval for the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) to commence its night/ IFR (instrument flight rules) certification programme. This will provideadded incentive to GA pilots to train for instrument qualifications, helpingthem become safer pilots.
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/224/CAA%20General%20Aviation%20Work%20-%20April%202014.pdf (http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/224/CAA%20General%20Aviation%20Work%20-%20April%202014.pdf [/QUOTE) [QUOTE]

[VORTIME]

Can LAA approve non TSO stuff for IFR?

[Rod1]

You cannot use (legally) a non approved radios in an LAA aircraft.

The rules for LAA aircraft for IFR are not yet set but most of the aircraft in the trial have none certified kit (but certified radio and transponder).

Rod1

[dubbleyew eight]

ok vortime supposing you have an aircraft and you want to change the avionics setup. fair assumption of what you are trying to find out?

you need the weight and balance for the aircraft.
you need an electrical loads calculation for the avionics in total.

ok change coming up.
you need an engineering order for the removal of the old equipment.
this will give you an amended weight and balance and instructions on what to remove.

new equipment going in.
you will need to correctly install the new equipment.
you then need to amend the weight and balance calculations for the aircraft.
you then need to calculate the new electrical loads schedule.

all of course to make certain that you don't stuff up the other installations in the avionics panel, that the aircraft can successfully power the new installation and that the weight and balance calcs for the pilot reflect a safe condition.

which registration flavour you use is largely irrelevant. the above is what you need to do.

....but what would I know as an owner...