Tue, Apr 29, 2008
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.
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