Avionics News July 2012 - 58

series
B Y T H O M A S I N M A N

A Message to Homebuilders
n July 2007, I wrote a message to builders of experimental aircraft, and it’s time to do so again. This time, I am sending a message to buyers of used aircraft, both experimental and certified. The aircraft you are considering for purchase may look good, be clean and have bright paint. It may lack any documented history of damage. It may be free of corrosion and up to date on airworthiness directives. It may even have been retrofitted with current avionics. It may look great on the outside and from

I

the pilot’s seat; however, don’t commit to a purchase until you have looked behind the instrument panel. I have seen some very nice-looking aircraft with what looked like an explosion in a spaghetti factory lurking behind a sharplooking instrument panel. Take a look, and if you see such an unsightly mess, then call your nearest AEA member shop. Most experts agree that a pre-purchase inspection is important for a buyer. I propose two inspections: one inspection performed by a mechanic and another by an AEA

This panel looks fantastic from the pilot’s seat, but how does it look behind the panel?

member shop. Even an aircraft with neatlooking wiring harnesses can have hidden problems. An AEA member shop can find hidden wiring problems, which may lurk in an aircraft. Take a look for yourself on your first trip to review an aircraft. Bring a flashlight and an inspection mirror along, and you may want to become familiar with the standards to which installations are constructed in advance. Federal Aviation Administration advisory circular 43.13-2B chapter two contains some guidance for how harnesses should be constructed. Chapter 3 of the same AC discusses antenna installations. For the most part, the information in this AC is quite general and has few illustrations. A good reference book is Aircraft Wiring & Electrical Installation published by Avotek. The book goes into great detail on subjects of connectors, cabling, installation and hardware. This book has illustrations, and you can become familiar and compare what you will see behind a panel. Within the preface of the book is a statement about its intended use. It states, “This manual is intended primarily for general training and familiarization. Always follow the aircraft manufacturer’s FAAapproved repair manuals or other FAAapproved procedures…” This statement alone is reason enough to call an expert. An avionics technician will be familiar with both manufacturer and FAA requirements. When purchasing an aircraft, one desires,

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Avionics News July 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News July 2012

Point of Communication
AEA Now
The View From Washington
International News and Regulatory Updates
Going Glass
Member Profile
Extra Avionics
Member Profile
Glass Panel Upgrades
Aviation Aces
Business Basics
Member Profile
A Conversation With...
Making A Difference
Theory & Practice
Legal Ease
Meet the AEA Staff
What's New
Marketplace Classifies
Avionics News July 2012 - Cover1
Avionics News July 2012 - Cover2
Avionics News July 2012 - 1
Avionics News July 2012 - 2
Avionics News July 2012 - 3
Avionics News July 2012 - Point of Communication
Avionics News July 2012 - 5
Avionics News July 2012 - AEA Now
Avionics News July 2012 - 7
Avionics News July 2012 - 8
Avionics News July 2012 - 9
Avionics News July 2012 - 10
Avionics News July 2012 - 11
Avionics News July 2012 - 12
Avionics News July 2012 - 13
Avionics News July 2012 - The View From Washington
Avionics News July 2012 - 15
Avionics News July 2012 - International News and Regulatory Updates
Avionics News July 2012 - 17
Avionics News July 2012 - 18
Avionics News July 2012 - 19
Avionics News July 2012 - Going Glass
Avionics News July 2012 - 21
Avionics News July 2012 - 22
Avionics News July 2012 - 23
Avionics News July 2012 - Member Profile
Avionics News July 2012 - 25
Avionics News July 2012 - 26
Avionics News July 2012 - 27
Avionics News July 2012 - Extra Avionics
Avionics News July 2012 - 29
Avionics News July 2012 - 30
Avionics News July 2012 - 31
Avionics News July 2012 - 32
Avionics News July 2012 - 33
Avionics News July 2012 - Member Profile
Avionics News July 2012 - 35
Avionics News July 2012 - 36
Avionics News July 2012 - 37
Avionics News July 2012 - Glass Panel Upgrades
Avionics News July 2012 - 39
Avionics News July 2012 - 40
Avionics News July 2012 - 41
Avionics News July 2012 - 42
Avionics News July 2012 - 43
Avionics News July 2012 - Aviation Aces
Avionics News July 2012 - 45
Avionics News July 2012 - 46
Avionics News July 2012 - 47
Avionics News July 2012 - Business Basics
Avionics News July 2012 - 49
Avionics News July 2012 - Member Profile
Avionics News July 2012 - 51
Avionics News July 2012 - 52
Avionics News July 2012 - 53
Avionics News July 2012 - A Conversation With...
Avionics News July 2012 - 55
Avionics News July 2012 - Making A Difference
Avionics News July 2012 - 57
Avionics News July 2012 - Theory & Practice
Avionics News July 2012 - 59
Avionics News July 2012 - Legal Ease
Avionics News July 2012 - 61
Avionics News July 2012 - Meet the AEA Staff
Avionics News July 2012 - 63
Avionics News July 2012 - 64
Avionics News July 2012 - 65
Avionics News July 2012 - What's New
Avionics News July 2012 - 67
Avionics News July 2012 - 68
Avionics News July 2012 - 69
Avionics News July 2012 - Marketplace Classifies
Avionics News July 2012 - 71
Avionics News July 2012 - 72
Avionics News July 2012 - Cover3
Avionics News July 2012 - Cover4
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