Avionics News December 2011 - (Page 16)

F R o M R I C P E R I V I C E P R ES I D E N T o F G oV E R N M E N T & I N D U ST Ry A F FA I RS Fo R A EA The Aircraft Electronics Association’s international membership continues to grow. Currently, the AEA represents avionics businesses in more than 40 countries throughout the world. To better serve the needs of the AEA’s international membership, the “International News and Regulatory Updates” section of Avionics News offers a greater focus on international regulatory activity, international industry news and an international “Frequently Asked Questions” column to help promote standardization. If you have comments about this section, send emails to avionicsnews@aea.net. maintenance, currently lists “updating self-contained, front instrument panel-mounted air traffic control navigational software databases (excluding those of automatic flight control systems, transponders and microwave frequency distance measuring equipment) provided no disassembly of the unit is required and pertinent instructions are provided” as a preventive maintenance task. Section 43.3 (g) allows the holder of a pilot certificate to perform preventive maintenance on any aircraft owned or operated by that pilot which is not used under Part 121, 129 or 135 operations. Currently, a pilot for an aircraft operated under Part 135 cannot perform ATC nav database updates. The proposal will change the regulations by removing ATC nav databases from the list of authorized preventive tasks, apparently making them a maintenance task, and then allowing any pilot to perform this new maintenance task by adding this new paragraph to section 43.3. (k) The holder of a pilot certificate issued under Part 61 of this chapter may perform updating of self-contained, front-instrument panel-mounted and pedestal-mounted air traffic control navigational system databases (excluding those of automatic flight control systems, transponders and microwave frequency distance measuring equipment, and any updates that affect system operating software) provided: 1. No disassembly of the unit is required. 2. The pilot has written procedures available to perform and evaluate the accomplishment of the task. 3. The database is contained in a field-loadable configuration and imaged on a medium, such as a compact disc read-only memory, synchronous dynamic random-access memory, or other non-volatile memory that contains database files that are non-corruptible upon loading, and where integrity of the load can be assured and verified by the pilot upon completing News & regulatory Updates FAA Announces cancellation of TSO-c129a, Airborne Supplemental navigation Equipment Using the Global positioning System This notice announces the Federal Aviation Administration’s cancellation of TSO-C129a, airborne supplemental navigation equipment using the global positioning system effective Oct. 21, 2011. TSO cancellation will not affect production, according to an existing TSO authorization. Articles produced under an existing TSOA can still be installed according to existing airworthiness approvals, and applications for new airworthiness approvals will still be processed. The effect of the cancelled TSO will result in no new TSO-C129a design or production approvals. However, the organization will accept applications for new TSOC129a TSO authorizations until Oct. 21, 2012, if you were working toward a TSO-C129a approval prior to Oct. 21, 2011. UnITED STATES pilot loading of navigation and Terrain Awareness Database Updates The FAA proposes to amend the maintenance regulations by removing from the preventive maintenance category the task of updating databases used in self-contained, front-panel or pedestal-mounted navigation equipment. This change would allow pilots who operate certificated aircraft to update the specified databases and eliminate the requirement for certificated mechanics or repair stations to perform the update. Paragraph (c)(32) from Part 43, appendix A, preventive 16 avionics news • december 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News December 2011

Point of Communication
AEA Now
Before & After
The View From Washington
International News and Regulatory Updates
EFB Solutions
Member Profile
Homebuilders
The Top Avionics Sellers for 2011
A Conversation With...
Alphabets Advocating for Aviation
Meet the AEA Board
Member Profile
Business Basics
Theory & Practice
Meet the AEA Staff
Advertisers Index
AEA Members Make Headlines at NBAA Convention
What's New
Marketplace Classifieds

Avionics News December 2011