Avionics News July 2013 - 18

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Continued from page 17

EUROPE

News & Regulatory Updates
European Aviation Safety Agency
For AEA members who are E/TSO holders or
applicants for such authorizations, the announcement
of the Federal Aviation Administration to host an FAA
TSO parts approval workshop might be of interest. The
workshop is scheduled for July 23-24 in Stapleton, Colo.
The FAA identified the intent of the workshop is to
provide information about recent FAA policy changes
for the issuance of approvals for TSO articles, oversight
of TSO manufacturers and the installation of TSO

FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Europe
Use of Extended Model List (AML STC)
in case of minor changes for common
replacements (box out – box in) of
basic avionics equipment (e.g. transponder)
The following information is from the European
Aviation Safety Agency frequently asked questions
website.

QUESTION:

Can you elaborate on the topic noted above?

ANSWER:

The replacement of avionics is a change to the type
design that must be approved in accordance with

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2013

articles, and to provide a forum for the FAA to gather
feedback from the industry stakeholders and facilitate
harmonization of aircraft parts approval processes
between the FAA and other international authorities.
The FAA has encouraged interested parties to forward
questions or requests for specific agenda items in advance.
In addition, EASA Safety Information Bulletin
(similar to FAA special airworthiness information
bulletin) SIB 2011-15R1 was recently issued with
amended contents. The SIB highlights the importance
of periodic verification of Mode S and Mode C
transponder functions in all aircraft types. EASA
identified a period of 24 months as a commonly
accepted period, unless the transponder equipment or
the aircraft manufacturer identifies a more frequent
inspection. The SAIB also identifies minimum contents
on the functional check of such a transponder, and no
aircraft should be released where the full transponder
functionality could not be verified.

Part 21, and, for that, it must be classified as major
or minor, depending on the effect that the change has
on the airworthiness of the aircraft. The rules for the
classification are identified in paragraph 21.A.91
and the guidance in the GM 21.A.91. Additional
guidance can be found in the FAA AC 23.1309-1E
and the “FAQ table of design change classification.”
(AEA comment: this is limited to general aviation).
Regarding the applicability of the change, each
application must include a reference to the TC and
the eligible aircraft type/model to be changed. As
indicated on the EASA website titled “FAQ for Fees
and Charges,” one application for TC, RTC, STC,
major and minor change can cover several models
but not more than one type per certificate.
There are, however, some exceptions where a list
of models, applicable to aircraft covered by different
TCs, has been accepted. In such case, it must be
shown that the design change and the demonstration
of compliance are valid, without relevant differences,
on all the TCs/models listed in the paragraph on the
applicability of the modification.
Modifications consisting of a replacement (“box
out – box in”) of basic avionics (e.g. transponder)
represent one such exception. In order for a design
Avionics News July 2013

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