I received an email from the FAA which included this:
On September 14, 2015, the FAA published policy statement PS-ACE-03-08, “Replacement of Vacuum Driven Attitude Indicators in 14 CFR, Part 23/CAR 3 Airplanes.” The policy clarifies that most vacuum driven attitude indicators can easily be replaced with new electronically driven attitude indicators utilizing the minor alteration process.
http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs/media/PS-ACE-23-08.pdf
Can someone explain this to me and what has changed? I assumed something like this existed enabling the installation of Aspen avionics.
Further, can you remove a vacuum powered heading indicator if the attitude indicator provides directional information?
These FAA documents often confuse me more than they help.
I assumed something like this existed enabling the installation of Aspen avionics.
I can't answer your main question. I can say that the Aspen PFD and other Aspen displays are installed under an STC so nothing like the rule you linked is required.
I can't answer your main question. I can say that the Aspen PFD and other Aspen displays are installed under an STC so nothing like the rule you linked is required.
I would like to know if this is actually a policy in effect
Conclusion
Based on this policy, vacuum-driven attitude indicators can be directly replaced with electronically-driven attitude indicators to enhance small aircraft safety. These alterations can be approved through the Amended Type Certificate, Supplemental Type Certificate, Amended Supplemental Type Certificate, Field Approval (337), or Minor Change processes, as appropriate. However, the intent of this policy is to communicate that most replacements can likely be done as minor changes.
Can we remove the vacuum system along with the vacuum AI?
As I read it, yes, but you must supply a separate battery as a back up.
My question would be, is that in its self a major alteration the electrical system.?
Silly me, I just assumed the vacuum system was removed in airplanes with Aspens.
Why can't this stuff be written in plain English?
What other products are on the market that would work in a Cherokee? I don't think Dynon has anything for certificated aircraft yet, but I heard a Dynon rep at an airshow last year say they are in "talks" with the FAA as FAA has finally recognized electronic AIs are more reliable. Maybe this is a precursor to allowing more products on the market.
Did you read the Policy statement? It explains that. It says the electronic gyros are not to be confused with PFDs..
Why can't this stuff be written in plain English?
Tom,Did you read the Policy statement? It explains that. It says the electronic gyros are not to be confused with PFDs.
When I did the Fairchild's instruments, I up graded the AI and DG with electrically driven instruments on a field approval. Now that method of approval is not required.
Tom,
How much time/labor is involved in switching a vacuum AI over to an electric one?
I'm contemplating ditching the venture vac AI/DG for electric in the 170.
I don't have the time to fully explain this this morning, read the Back ground statement.Please show where it said that.
The OP said that something like the rule was needed for the Aspens and I was just pointing out that Aspen was installed under an STC. No rule like that was required.
Addressing your other concern about the battery backup for the Aspens, it's covered under the STC so the question of major alteration or not is moot. Each Aspen PFD has a built-in battery and then on redundent PFD systems without a separate back-up AI there is a third battery.
I don't have the time to fully explain this this morning, read the Back ground statement.
Mine still has the veturi vac system - no pump to remove and I'd probably leave the veturiis in place for appearance sake.Well the whole job would be to remove the vac system, pump and all. I'd say about a day to swap out the vac for an electrical gyro. you'd save about 20 pounds over all.
I'd LOVE to take the venturiis off of my bird and pick up a knot or two.Mine still has the veturi vac system - no pump to remove and I'd probably leave the veturiis in place for appearance sake.
Don't blame you.I'd LOVE to take the venturiis off of my bird and pick up a knot or two.
Please show where it said that.
The OP said that something like the rule was needed for the Aspens and I was just pointing out that Aspen was installed under an STC. No rule like that was required.
Addressing your other concern about the battery backup for the Aspens, it's covered under the STC so the question of major alteration or not is moot. Each Aspen PFD has a built-in battery and then on redundent PFD systems without a separate back-up AI there is a third battery.
Mine still has the veturi vac system - no pump to remove and I'd probably leave the veturiis in place for appearance sake.
Really guys? Comparing the Aspen, a highly integrated PFD, to a simple stand alone electronic "gyro"?
I'd LOVE to take the venturiis off of my bird and pick up a knot or two.
Cap'n Ron chiming in on this topic over at the red board with pretty decent information. I think I understand a little better now.
http://forums.aopa.org/showthread.php?t=96646
Apparently, this product from Spruce is an example of what can be installed:
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/rca2600-3.php
Along with this backup battery:
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/in/emergencypower/rcallenbatterybackup.php
solid state gyros are allowed under policy.
right in the cited document.
Electronically-driven attitude indicators include indicatorsthat use electrical power to (1) excite an internal gyro, or (2)replace the operation of the gyro with microelectronics. Electronically-driven attitude indicators may replace the existing attitude indicators used in VFR or IFR airplanes.
so what part does the RCa2600 with backup battery not meet?
The DG you linked says non-TSOd.Tom-D;1898281This is the DG. [url said:http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/ssp-10-05077.php?clickkey=88319[/url]
The DG you linked says non-TSOd.
If you are putting it in a certified airplane don't you have to use a TSO one?
As I've said already, they can be used, It's just a matter of do you think they can be a minor alteration.??
i would find it hard to say that mounting the battery to the airframe and plugging in the harness supplied by the manufacturer of the certified unit could be called a major alteration.
i would agree if you attempted to use anything other than the RC Allen backup battery would be a paperwork nightmare, but this unit is exactly what this policy is about. this is in no way a PFD. it is a solid state attitude gyro. a certified electronic version of the age old spinning gyro. nothing more. this is what this policy is written to clear up.