Avionics News October 2015 - 73

THE VIEW FROM WASHINGTON
Continued from page 11

appreciably affect "reliability" as modifications to approved
avionics equipment that affect reliability or airworthiness,
such as changes that deviate from the design environment
performance; deviate from the component manufacturer's
operating limitations; or changes to software and any change
to wire shielding that may affect high intensity radiated
fields and electromagnetic interference.
Alterations that might affect "operational characteristics"
are described as:
1. Changes or relocation of systems (including
hydraulic, oil and fuel systems) and equipment that
affect structural integrity, flight, ground handling
characteristics or noise/acoustics of the aircraft.
2. Changes that alter the movable control surfaces that
affect the dynamic and/or static balance, alter the
aerodynamic contour of moveable control surfaces
or change the weight distribution.
3. Changes in control surface travel, control system
mechanical advantage, location of control system
component parts or direction of motion.
4. Changes in basic dimensions or external
aerodynamic contour/configuration of the aircraft
such as wing and tail planform or incidence angles,
canopy, cowlings, contour or radii, the location of
wing and tail fairings, winglets, wing lift struts,
tiptanks, windows, and doors.
5. Installation of structure and /or appliances to the
exterior (night sun beacon, camera, spray/dusting
equipment) on rotorcraft only.
6. Changes to flight-critical electrical/electronic
systems, such as electronic flight controls or the
engine control system, full authority digital engine
control, and fly by wire.
7. Changes that affect aircraft performance, drag,
engine power, revolutions per minute or exhaust
muffler.
8. Changes affecting noise or flight characteristics.
9. Rotorcraft items such as external search lights, skis
and baskets.
Typical alterations that may appreciably affect the
"airworthiness" include:
1. Changes to landing gear and related components,
such as internal parts of shock struts, length,
geometry of members, changes to brake and brake
systems, or additions.
2. Changes to systems that affect aircraft airworthiness,
such as relocation of exterior fuel vents or battery
vents; crew or passenger liquid oxygen or onboard

3.
4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

generating systems; and external critical access
doors, auxiliary power unit ram air, nacelle blowout
doors, fuel drain.
Major deviations to STCs.
Changes to oil, hydraulic, pneumatic, and fuel lines
or systems that affect their operation or installation
and flammability requirements, such as new
types of hoses and/or hose fittings that may not
meet installation requirements like flow rate and
flammability requirements; changes to fuel dump
valves; new oil/fuel/hydraulic line materials or
sealants; change to, or addition of, permanent fuel
tanks or fuel system components.
Changes in fixed fire extinguisher or detector
systems that affect system effectiveness or
reliability, such as relocation of discharge nozzles,
detector units, or fixed fire extinguisher bottles;
using new or different detector components;
decreasing the amount or changing the type of
extinguishing agents.
Changes that include the substitution of engine/
APU/propeller/airframe materials that affect
structural integrity, lightning protection, flight
characteristics or noise/acoustics.
Any other complex special process that, if not
properly performed, has a significant adverse effect
on the integrity of the product.
Major alterations to propellers.

The FAA includes crashworthiness in its list of critical
characteristics that must be evaluated. Typical alterations
that may appreciably affect "crashworthiness" include
changes to the aircraft structure, cabin interiors or
equipment relocation; changes that increase the certificated
seating capacity, excluding sport parachute jumping
configuration; or changes that include the substitution
of engine/propeller/airframe materials that affect fire
protection, lightning protection or flammability.
So if your alteration might have a measurable effect on
any of these six characteristics, get your data reviewed
and approved. A second set of eyes, a second opinion, and
unbiased review of alteration data is never a bad thing
when the alteration could have a measurable effect on the
ability of the aircraft to safely fly.
However, if you evaluate the alteration and can
quantitatively determine it is not major, do not waste the
limited resources of the FAA by requesting "just-in-case"
field approvals. Remember, the FAA regulations define
a minor alteration as follows: Minor alteration means an
alteration other than a major alteration.
The regulations define and support that if it's not
major, it's minor! q
avionics news

*

october

2015

73



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News October 2015

Avionics News October 2015 - Intro
Avionics News October 2015 - Cover1
Avionics News October 2015 - Cover2
Avionics News October 2015 - 1
Avionics News October 2015 - 2
Avionics News October 2015 - 3
Avionics News October 2015 - 4
Avionics News October 2015 - 5
Avionics News October 2015 - 6
Avionics News October 2015 - 7
Avionics News October 2015 - 8
Avionics News October 2015 - 9
Avionics News October 2015 - 10
Avionics News October 2015 - 11
Avionics News October 2015 - 12
Avionics News October 2015 - 13
Avionics News October 2015 - 14
Avionics News October 2015 - 15
Avionics News October 2015 - 16
Avionics News October 2015 - 17
Avionics News October 2015 - 18
Avionics News October 2015 - 19
Avionics News October 2015 - 20
Avionics News October 2015 - 21
Avionics News October 2015 - 22
Avionics News October 2015 - 23
Avionics News October 2015 - 24
Avionics News October 2015 - 25
Avionics News October 2015 - 26
Avionics News October 2015 - 27
Avionics News October 2015 - 28
Avionics News October 2015 - 29
Avionics News October 2015 - 30
Avionics News October 2015 - 31
Avionics News October 2015 - 32
Avionics News October 2015 - 33
Avionics News October 2015 - 34
Avionics News October 2015 - 35
Avionics News October 2015 - 36
Avionics News October 2015 - 37
Avionics News October 2015 - 38
Avionics News October 2015 - 39
Avionics News October 2015 - 40
Avionics News October 2015 - 41
Avionics News October 2015 - 42
Avionics News October 2015 - 43
Avionics News October 2015 - 44
Avionics News October 2015 - 45
Avionics News October 2015 - 46
Avionics News October 2015 - 47
Avionics News October 2015 - 48
Avionics News October 2015 - 49
Avionics News October 2015 - 50
Avionics News October 2015 - 51
Avionics News October 2015 - 52
Avionics News October 2015 - 53
Avionics News October 2015 - 54
Avionics News October 2015 - 55
Avionics News October 2015 - 56
Avionics News October 2015 - 57
Avionics News October 2015 - 58
Avionics News October 2015 - 59
Avionics News October 2015 - 60
Avionics News October 2015 - 61
Avionics News October 2015 - 62
Avionics News October 2015 - 63
Avionics News October 2015 - 64
Avionics News October 2015 - 65
Avionics News October 2015 - 66
Avionics News October 2015 - 67
Avionics News October 2015 - 68
Avionics News October 2015 - 69
Avionics News October 2015 - 70
Avionics News October 2015 - 71
Avionics News October 2015 - 72
Avionics News October 2015 - 73
Avionics News October 2015 - 74
Avionics News October 2015 - 75
Avionics News October 2015 - 76
Avionics News October 2015 - 77
Avionics News October 2015 - 78
Avionics News October 2015 - 79
Avionics News October 2015 - 80
Avionics News October 2015 - Cover3
Avionics News October 2015 - Cover4
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