James
PCAS or the unsophistcated devices that CC refers to are receivers only, so in a non radar environment, will only pick up the transponders around it if they are pinged by another TCAS equipped aircraft. You would be surprised how many pings I receive while flying outside radar coverage. All from TCAS equipment in RPT's in the flight levels.
OZ....
mate nobody in GA needs the ADSB in....even the smart ones!
PlankBlender
I have reproduced this article which is a plain english version of what is and is not required to be TSO'd for Experimental aircraft. Any experimental for that matter be it a RV10, Lancair or a Boeing! If it is in the Exp category this is what you are allowed to do.
Some folk might recognise the author as someone who should know......I believe he worked for the regulator.
This might save you starting a whole new thread!
J
IFR Equipment Guidelines
Principle.
A home built experimental aircraft does not have to meet any specified airworthiness standard. It just has to be safe, but must comply with the VFR or the IFR. IFR requirements mainly affect landing lights, pitot heat, mandatory instruments, power sources, GPS, transponder, comm radios and nav radios.
Perspectives
To fly IFR the pilot, the plane and the destination need to be appropriately equipped. The pilot has choice of private IFR or command instrument rating, the choice can influence the equipment you choose for your plane (ADF is a requirement to keep a command instrument rating). The airport needs runway lighting, standby power and means to turn lights on, plus a ground based navaid in weather below VFR criteria. ADF is the standard country airport navaid, which is a shame. All these operational matters influence the choice of equipment you may need to fit to your plane.
IFR flying is demanding and you will need a failure tolerant design to enable any flight to be completed safely following any system failure. Following the law of physics that says "you get what you pay for" the IFR environment is no place for cheap solutions. They will let you down sometime soon.
The SAAA recommends that you generally buy new equipment that conforms to TSO's. We also advise that where testing is required that you seek the services of a qualified aviation electrical, avionic or instrument technician with properly calibrated test equipment. Without properly tested altimeter, transponder and navigation systems your aircraft will represent a hazard to other airspace users and your AP will be obliged to mitigate the public risk by imposing operational restrictions.
Regulations.
AC 21.4(2) says that an SAAA approved person can issue a special airworthines certificate for operations with any limitations thought prudent. These can be significant limitations for the life of the aircraft such as; not allowed in controlled airspace, congested airspace, built-up areas.
Expect your flight test period to be for VFR ops by day only. At the end of a successful test period your AP may assess the aircraft for VFR by day, NVFR or IFR ops according to the equipment fit.
After your Special Certificate of Airworthines is issued you may fly IFR if properly equipped. The IFR requirements apply according to the type of operation (private, charter, RPT) and are the same regardless of the category of aircraft certification. Published requirements are listed in the rest of this document.
Equipment Standards
CAO 108.34 and CAO 108.32 detail the installation and testing standards for IFR equipment.
The SAAA recommends that you consider the following:
a. Your altimeter/transponder combination is critical to collision avoidance and must be tested, by properly calibrated test equipment, by a competent operator. Accordingly we strongly recommend you consider at TSO compliant altimeter and transponder and get an aviation professional to test it for you. Compulsory instrument and radio Airworthiness Directives are listed towards the end of this document.
b. Your GPS must be TSO compliant. There is no choice in the matter.
c. Communication radios and radio navigation systems TSO are advisory, but reduce the risk of inadequate performance. Just about all new radios are TSO compliant and we recommend them to you. Any testing of equipment should by properly calibrated test equipment that is operated by a properly qualified test person.
d. Flight instruments (except altimeter as discussed above) do not have to meet TSO requirements but do have to work to the manufacturers specifications.
e. Your equipment must not only work itself, but in combination with all other equipment. Interference/cross talk between equipment should not be evident at any stage of flight.
See see references below for test requirements.
Engine and Prop. ABAA aircraft had a requirement for a certified engine and prop for IFR. This does not apply to Experimental aircraft. But beware AP limitations that radical engines might attract.
Two stroke engines and auto conversions might attract VFR limitations such as no flight over built up areas, as deemed prudent via a risk analysis buy the AP. Engines specifically designed for aircraft use (Jabiru, Rotax, Lycoming clones) may not attract VFR limitations provided their pedigree is well known, that is, well documented.
Experimental engines cannot be later installed in certified aircraft.
Compulsory Requirements
Lights, see CAR 177, CAR 196, for nav lights and red (maybe white) all round beacon.
Instruments CAO 20.18 dictates compulsory instruments, pitot heat, lights, ELT, and GPS installations. The requirements below are for private operations, higher requirements apply for charter and RPT, neither of which apply to home built aircraft.
The paragraphs below are a summary of CAO 20.18 only, it is important that you read the CAO itself to pick up on important detail in the CAO that has been omitted here for simplicity.
VFR Instruments CAO 20.18 Appdx I
ASI
Altimeter, with milibar scale.
Compass, direct reading, or remote with standby direct reading compass, or alternate power source for the remote unit.
Clock or wrist watch.
Turn and slip indicator (optional for private VFR by day, required by night).
OAT.
IFR Instruments CAO 20.18 Appdx IV & V
VFR instruments plus:
Assigned Altitude indicator (above 15000 an altitude alerting system is required).
Pitot heat protection for ASI.
Clock indicating down to seconds.
VSI
AH
Heading indicator (DG or equivalent).
Turn & slip, or just a slip indicator if a second AH is fitted.
A means of indicating the power supply to the gyros is satisfactory (eg. vacuum gauge or voltage warning).
Static port, either balanced flush pair or main and alternate.
Duplicated or split sources of power for AH, DG, turn and slip.
Instrument lights, with an alternate source, plus dimmer.
Minimum of one landing light.
Map light.
Passenger compartment light.
External lights iaw CAR 177 & CAR196.
Torch for each crew member.
Note that none of these instruments need to be an approved item for private IFR. Charter and above do need some approved instruments. Hence builders are largely free to choose the instruments (including efis) that they like, however once installed they are to be maintained to AD/INST/9, amendments 5 and 6. This AD is effectively the accuracy standard for IFR compliant instruments. Note that the accuracy requirement for an IFR altimeter is stringent.
Instrument Maintenance Standards.
This is a short summary of maintenance standards from AD/INST/9, these are effectively the accuracy standards for IFR instruments: Read the AD for the full picture.
IFR maintenance intervals altimeters, every 2 years. Other instruments, no requirement if you so choose. See AD/INST/9 front page for the choices. Warning: While there is no legal requirement to maintain more than your altimeter, be aware that IFR is demanding and you would be very wise to stick with the manufacturers test and maintenance regimes for the flight instruments you depend on. SAAA sstrongly recomemends that you adopt the standards in AD/INST/9 Amendment 5 (not 6).
Below are the requirements for test accuracy. These are most important for your first flight, and for any subsequent inspection you may choose to conduct.
Altimeter See AD/INST/9, test as stated in FAR Part 43 Appendix E.
Compass as stated in CAO 108.6
ASI, VSI, OAT, mandatory engine instruments as stated in manufacturer published data provided tolerances in CAO 108.56 are met. The AD wording is ambiguous, presumably you test to the makers accuracy or the CAO tolerance if higher, restore performance if deficient.
Fuel quantity instruments test to manufacturers accuracy requirements provided the accuracy lower limits stated in CAO 108.56 is not exceeded.
Gyro instruments if a pilot in command sees no anomalies in flight when maintenance is due then, then only necessary maintenance only is required (implies manufacturer specified maintenance only, probably clean and lubricate). If an anomaly is identified then the item must be returned to the manufacturers specified performance level. See AD/INST/9
All other instruments a test to ensure that it meets the manufacturers accuracy requirements.
Static system check for deterioration, conduct leak test to manufacturers requirement provided minimum of 1 inch of mercury pressure is applied for 1 minute with altitude loss of less than 101 feet.
Pitot system leak test, apply 1 inch of mercury (= 100kts), no loss of pressure for 10 seconds.
Navigation Systems
GPS See AIP Gen section 1.5. GPS for IFR use must comply with TSO. A GPS compliant with TSO C129a2 can be used for enroute and terminal area navigation. C129a1 can conduct non-precision approaches. However to take advantage of lower weather minima a VOR or ADF need to be onboard and at the destination. See the AIP for details of operational and weather requirements for destinations and alternate airports with and without ground aids.
GPS compliant with the new TSO C146a are WAAS upgradeable and are expected to be approved for sole means of navigation for enroute navigation and also (in future) for precision approaches. CASA staff have confirmed that the US WAAS correction signal does cover Australia, and they will progressively introduce precision GPS approaches in the future.
Transponder For entry into controlled airspace, and VFR aircraft transiting Class E airspace, a transponder is required. Transponder and altimeter require a system test every two years. See AD/RAD/43 and also AD/RAD/47. These two AD's are mandatory and should only be completed by a qualified aviation professional who has the necessary calibrated test equipment. Expect your AP to have a strong interest in your transponder/altimeter test results.
VOR/ADF/DME CAO 108.34 lays down airborne radio system performance accuracy standards. Most ADF and VOR equipment meet TSOs. Some older equipment does not. If you can identify another aircraft carrying your chosen equipment then a refusal by the AP is unlikely. Even if you install TSO equipment conducting the flight tests in CAO 108.34 is a sensible way to gain confidence in your installation.
Communications See CAO 108.34 for radio performance standards. For IFR flights you need sufficient radios to maintain continuous two way communications. Its hard to find a VHF that does not comply with TSOs.
Other Australian references;
AD/GEN/7 ASI and Altimeters markings
AD/GEN/39 Generator warnings.
AD/INST/9 Instrument test requirements/ 2 yearly altimeter test, other instruments 3 yearly maintenance.
CAAP 35-1 GPS installation guidelines
AD/RAD/43/47
USA Regulations
CASA rules are closely modelled upon the US FAR. Australian guidance for experimental aircraft are under-developed. A useful technique is to become familiar with the clear US documents, and reverse engineer into the Australian guidance.
Useful FAA references, some called up by CASA are:
AC 20.27 Special Airworthiness Certificates
Order 8130.2, limitations on experimentals
FAR part 91.205, esp d. mandatory instruments.
AC 90.94 para 3c, GPS and nav systems.
FAR Part 23.1303 US IFR instruments.
23.1321 instrument layout
23.1322 ASI systems
23.1325 static pressure systems
23.1326 pitot heat indicator
23.1327 magnetic direction indicator
23.1331 instrument power sources
23.1337 engine instrument system
23.1545 airspeed indicator
23.1547 compass placard
23.1549 powerplant instrument arcs
FAR 91.411 Altimeter test procedures
FAR 43 Appdx E Altimeter test procedures
FAR 43 Appdx D Annual Inspection
AC90.89A Flight Testing Handbook
TSO References
TSO-C91 is for ELT transmitters
TSO-C74b is for Transponders (mode a/c)
TSO-C112 is for Transponders (mode S)
TSO-C10b is for Encoding Altimeters
TSO-C88 is for blind encoders
TSO-C151 is for Terrain Avoidance equipment
The above list was gleaned from a search of FARs 21,23,25 and 91 with
most of them comming from FAR91. The only mention of TSO in Part 25
refers to brakes. There is no mention of TSO in Part 23.
Other references to TSO documents were found with some simple
searches on the 'net.
VOR receivers: TSO C40c
Localizer receivers: TSO C36e
Glideslope receivers: TSO C34e
Marker Beacon: TSO C35d
GPS: TSO C129a
VHF COM: TSO C37d
IFR TEST MATRIX
Explanations of Requirements.- Flight instruments.
- CAO 20.18 defines mandatory instruments, lights and pitot systems.
- CAO 108.56 defines the applicable test standards for VFR aircraft, day and night.
- AD/INST/9 defines the applicable test standards for IFR aircraft. Most maintenance required is in fact a test, with correction of defects if the test is failed. Read both amendment 5 and 6.
Item
Compliance
Short Test Description
External lights
CAR 177, 196
Landing, wingtip & tail lights, plus rotating beacon/strobe.
Power source warning
CAO 20.18
Warning that power source to gyros is operating vacuum pressure gauge or voltage warning.
Internal lights
CAO 20.18
Instrument lights, dimable, plus map and pax compartment lights.
Heated pitot
CAO 20.18
Gets hot.
Altimeter
CAO 20.18, AD/INST/9, AD/RAD/43, CAO 108.56
As required in FAR Part 43 Appendix E. Test equipment required, best done in conjunction with transponder tests.
Compass
CAO 20.18, CAO 108.6
Compass swing.
ASI, VSI, OAT, mandatory engine instruments
CAO 20.18, AD/INST/9,
CAO 108.56.
As stated in manufacturer published data.
Fuel quantity instruments
CAO 20.18, AD/INST/9, CAO 108.56
Test to manufacturers accuracy requirements provided tolerances stated in CAO 108.56 are not exceeded.
Gyro instruments
CAO 20.18, AD/INST/9
If a pilot in command sees no anomalies in flight when maintenance is due then, then necessary maintenance only is required. If an anomaly is identified then the item must be returned to the manufacturers specified performance level.
Static system
CAO 20.18, AD/INST/9
Simple leak/pressure tests iaw AD/INST/9, amdt 5.
Pitot system.
CAO 20.18, AN/INST/9
Simple leak/pressure tests iaw AD/INST/9, amdt 5.- Radio and Navigation Systems
- AIP section 1.5 provides guidance on what communication and navaids are required for IFR flight.
- CAO 108.34 defines the installation standards and required performance testing.
- CAO 108.37 describes how CASA will provide approvals for IFR equipment. This basically says if a home builder buys TSO compliant systems, and it passes the necessary performance test, then he has an approved installation. TSO are not mentioned in this CAO because TSO are in the background.
Item
Compliance
Short Test Description
GPS
AIP 1.5, TSO C129 or TSO C146
GPS will self test on start-up.
VHF Comm
AIP 1.5. CAO 108.34
Ground and taxi functional test.
ADF
AIP 1.5, CAO 108.34, CAO 100.37
Flight test for accuracy.
VOR/ILS/Marker
AIP 1.5, CAO 108.34
Test equipment required.
Transponder/Encoder
AIP 1.5, CAO 108.34 AD/RAD/43, AD/RAD/47
Test equipment required, for integrated system tests with altimeter, iaw FAR 43, Appdx E, para b, and FAR 43, Appdx F
David A Francis
28Sep06
VH-ZEE