Three Instruments Comply With New FAA Requirements

With new FAA requirements for flight critical electronic instruments in place, Mid-Continent Instruments responded with updated certifications on three popular products. The 4200 series 2-inch attitude indicator, the 4300 series Lifesaver 3-inch attitude indicator and the MD420 Emergency Power Supply all received FAA approval for higher levels of HIRF and lightning protection per the RTCA DO-160E environmental specification.

In September 2007, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amended Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for Parts 23, 25, 27, and 29 to increase the high-intensity radio field (HIRF) protection required for electronic equipment. This was in response to the potential vulnerability of aircraft electrical systems against the increasing use of high-power radio frequency transmitters. Aircraft with external composite structures are of particular concern in this regard. These regulations are now also the same as those required by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for European certifications.

The new amendment requires this higher protection level for all new Type Certification or Supplemental Type Certification programs. Recognizing that new programs would need answers quickly for their electronic equipment, Mid-Continent stepped up to enhance the design, complete the testing, and get FAA approval for key products by the end of 2007. As an additional effort, these Mid-Continent products have increased lightning protection to qualify for Level A requirements related to flight-critical instruments.

The 4300 series 3-inch electric attitude indicator began shipping in January of this year with the newly enhanced HIRF and lightning protection. This unit is currently qualified on over a dozen OEM platforms. The integral backup battery on the 4300 Lifesaver models helps installers meet backup power requirements mandated by the FAA and boosts confidence in the event of a power system failure.

The 4200 series 2-inch electric attitude indicator will be shipping by mid-summer with the new modifications and is a great choice for instrument panels that are tight on space. To meet similar backup power requirements, Mid-Continent offers the MD420 Emergency Power System that provides power to a Mid-Continent attitude indicator and lights two other standby instruments for a minimum of one hour.

FMI: www.mcico.com, www.aea.net