---------------------------------------------------------- Avionics-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sun 12/26/04: 8 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 01:36 PM - Re: Altimeters- TSO vs non TSO (Fred Fillinger) 2. 09:03 PM - Re: coax (Ron Davis) 3. 09:11 PM - Re: Off/On/Mom Switch (Ron Davis) 4. 09:27 PM - Re: Radium dial (was: Choice) (Ron Davis) 5. 09:51 PM - Re: Radium dial (was: Choice) (Ron Davis) 6. 10:08 PM - Re: Altimeters- TSO vs non TSO (Ron Davis) 7. 10:13 PM - Re: Radium dial (was: Choice) (Ron Davis) 8. 11:27 PM - GPS (Bob Black) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 01:36:17 PM PST US From: "Fred Fillinger" Subject: Re: Avionics-List: Altimeters- TSO vs non TSO --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Fred Fillinger" bakerocb@cox.net wrote: > ... > That would seem to prevent the manufacture of non approved parts intended to > be installed in type certificated aircraft. > > But what FAR Sec in Part 43, or elsewhere in the regulations, do you feel > prevents the installation of non approved parts in type certificated > aircraft? > .... I think you've found the correct FARs. But I think FAA does not mean to imply that while no one can produce a unapproved aircraft part, but the aircraft installer -- who knows little about the quality of that part -- can make, say an automotive part, effectively an aircraft part by simply saying it looks good and installing it. If this reasoning applies to a Gates V-belt where a PMA item is available, I think it surely does to a "nonapproved" altimeter (TSOd versions are always available). Though it raises a good question about a seemingly well-fitting, generic Gates V-belt to fix a real old plane where that's the only choice. The wording in Part 43 I think is a little loose by intent, or a lot of old airplanes would be grounded or other silly problems arise. I once worked with an A&P/IA, who shortly went on to manage a big, bizjet maintenance op, to install an STC'd, lightweight starter. The repositioned starter cable would chafe against the muffler, so he quickly made a clever little hold-off bracket. At minimum, Part 21 allows me as owner to make a part, and the installer can approve it. So I kidded him, hey, that problem is not mentioned in the STC installation paperwork for this type A/C and no bracket is supplied. You can't make aircraft parts. No, he said, that's the one you just made, remember? And a nice job you did! Maybe the way FAA uses the word "alteration" not always associated with the word "major" in Part 43, implying what the A&P did was legally "minor alteration." The applicable Advisor Circular re alterations says "please contact FSDO for advice," specifically referring to major vs. minor repairs to out-of-production A/C. Many repairmen maybe know better than to do that if reasonably judged minor? :-) Reg, Fred F. ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 09:03:24 PM PST US From: "Ron Davis" Subject: Re: Avionics-List: coax --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Ron Davis" The installation manual calls for RG-58A/U for the GPS antenna and says to follow the com antenna manufacturer's instructions for it. I would use the same wire for it, use BNC connectors made for this cable, and make up the wires myself after runnng the cables. ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 09:11:06 PM PST US From: "Ron Davis" Subject: Re: Avionics-List: Off/On/Mom Switch --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Ron Davis" Are you looking for a switch that has both circuits off, one circuit on (stays on when you move your hand) and another position where the first circuit stays on and the second circuit comes on momentarily? That sounds like an ignition/starter switch. I'm not sure there is a short, simple description of that switch, but they are available... somewhere. ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 09:27:31 PM PST US From: "Ron Davis" Subject: Re: Avionics-List: Radium dial (was: Choice) --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Ron Davis" You could disassemble the altimeter yourself and remove the face and strip the paint/radium off and then have the instrument overhauled and the face repainted. It would be good to NOT inhale the radium if you remove it yourself and to wash your hands, tools, etc so you don't eat the radium either. It's pretty much harmless outside the body and bad for eyes, nostrils, and internal body surfaces. If you want to get rid of it? Some cities have free hazmat disposal days, otherwise there are few options. Don't ship it by any means because the fines for that run to $10,000 per offense. ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 09:51:49 PM PST US From: "Ron Davis" Subject: Re: Avionics-List: Radium dial (was: Choice) --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Ron Davis" >Bury it in the backyard for 300 years and it will be fine when your great, >great, great, great,.... grand kids dig it up. > >Brian Kraut >Engineering Alternatives, Inc. You need to come up with another alternative, Brian. The halflife of radium is about 1600 years. Multiply times 7 to get 11,400 years it needs to be buried. ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 10:08:23 PM PST US From: "Ron Davis" Subject: Re: Avionics-List: Altimeters- TSO vs non TSO --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Ron Davis" It's far more convincing when quoting "the regs" to quote the one, by number, that supports what you are arguing. As for "Part 91 isn't the only rule for maintaining type-certificated aircraft...", part 91 is general operating and flight rules. In prohibits flight unless certain maintenace is done, but it doesn't require or specify how maintenance is done. Nor does part 21. ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 10:13:50 PM PST US From: "Ron Davis" Subject: Re: Avionics-List: Radium dial (was: Choice) --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Ron Davis" > --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Matthew Mucker" > > > Check and be sure if it really does need disposal as nuclear waste. > > I trained as a medical technologist. Several hospital laboratory > procedures > use radioactivity as a marker for various tests. Though the materials > would > make a Geiger counter scream, the radiation level was so low that it > was > legal to dispose of the waste as regular biohazard waste; no additional > precautions were necessary. FedEx even shipped this stuff (with a nice > scary warning label on the box, of course.) You can't use medical waste regulations for aircraft instruments. The medical business has been granted many exemptions due to their god-like status. Their status and the extreme lobbying power of their union- the AMA. ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 11:27:31 PM PST US From: "Bob Black" Subject: Avionics-List: GPS --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Bob Black" There's a newer model GPS for sale on ebay. The bids look pretty low. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem &item=4513914376 Has anyone used one of these? Bob Black