Disclaimer.... I am in Oztralia and we are a bit different down here.....and weird too at times! ;D
Our rules are pretty much the same as yours, sometimes even tighter, but overall the same. I will post here some interesting words that cut through the BS, and this applies to Australia.
Basically you need altimetry and so forth tested but if you are happy a set of fluffy dice hanging from your headset holder is good enough as an Artificial Horizon.....good luck to you!
I am using the following.
D100/D180 HS34 and AP74 (AP76 when Nick and the boys release it) and servo's
Garmin GNS530W, GMA340, SL40, GTX327 with a TSO encoder (Oz).
Also a TSO Altimeter
A Vans supplier ASI just for the heck of it.
Now I will post this bit seperately, but this afternoon we tested all the Dynon gear on his bench and it was 100% spot on all the way 50-200 knots and to 10,000 feet (got lazy and gave up at 10K).
So..... replicate that and see how you go!
Ok here goes the cut and paste. Even if not law in your case, it may be worth following some items like assigned altitude display.
Regulations.
AC 21.4(2) says that an SAAA approved person can issue a special airworthines certificate for operations with any limitations thought prudent. These can be significant limitations for the life of the aircraft such as; not allowed in controlled airspace, congested airspace, built-up areas.
Expect your flight test period to be for VFR ops by day only. At the end of a successful test period your AP may assess the aircraft for VFR by day, NVFR or IFR ops according to the equipment fit.
After your Special Certificate of Airworthines is issued you may fly IFR if properly equipped. The IFR requirements apply according to the type of operation (private, charter, RPT) and are the same regardless of the category of aircraft certification. Published requirements are listed in the rest of this document.
Equipment Standards
CAO 108.34 and CAO 108.32 detail the installation and testing standards for IFR equipment.
The SAAA recommends that you consider the following:
a. Your altimeter/transponder combination is critical to collision avoidance and must be tested, by properly calibrated test equipment, by a competent operator. Accordingly we strongly recommend you consider at TSO compliant altimeter and transponder and get an aviation professional to test it for you. Compulsory instrument and radio Airworthiness Directives are listed towards the end of this document.
b. Your GPS must be TSO – compliant. There is no choice in the matter.
c. Communication radios and radio navigation systems TSO are advisory, but reduce the risk of inadequate performance. Just about all new radios are TSO compliant and we recommend them to you. Any testing of equipment should by properly calibrated test equipment that is operated by a properly qualified test person.
d. Flight instruments (except altimeter – as discussed above) do not have to meet TSO requirements but do have to work to the manufacturers specifications.
e. Your equipment must not only work itself, but in combination with all other equipment. Interference/cross talk between equipment should not be evident at any stage of flight.
See see references below for test requirements.
VFR Instruments CAO 20.18 Appdx I
ASI
Altimeter, with milibar scale.
Compass, direct reading, or remote with standby direct reading compass, or alternate power source for the remote unit.
Clock or wrist watch.
Turn and slip indicator (optional for private VFR by day, required by night).
OAT.
IFR Instruments CAO 20.18 Appdx IV & V
VFR instruments plus:
Assigned Altitude indicator (above 15000 an altitude alerting system is required).
Pitot heat protection for ASI.
Clock indicating down to seconds.
VSI
AH
Heading indicator (DG or equivalent).
Turn & slip, or just a slip indicator if a second AH is fitted.
A means of indicating the power supply to the gyros is satisfactory (eg. vacuum gauge or voltage warning).
Static port, either balanced flush pair or main and alternate.
Duplicated or split sources of power for AH, DG, turn and slip.
Instrument lights, with an alternate source, plus dimmer.
Minimum of one landing light.
Map light.
Passenger compartment light.
External lights iaw CAR 177 & CAR196.
Torch for each crew member.
Note that none of these instruments need to be an approved item for private IFR. Charter and above do need some approved instruments. Hence builders are largely free to choose the instruments (including efis) that they like, however once installed they are to be maintained to AD/INST/9, amendments 5 and 6. This AD is effectively the accuracy standard for IFR compliant instruments. Note that the accuracy requirement for an IFR altimeter is stringent.
Navigation Systems
GPS See AIP Gen section 1.5. GPS for IFR use must comply with TSO. A GPS compliant with TSO C129a2 can be used for enroute and terminal area navigation. C129a1 can conduct non-precision approaches. However to take advantage of lower weather minima a VOR or ADF need to be onboard and at the destination. See the AIP for details of operational and weather requirements for destinations and alternate airports with and without ground aids.
GPS compliant with the new TSO C146a are WAAS upgradeable and are expected to be approved for sole means of navigation for enroute navigation and also (in future) for precision approaches. CASA staff have confirmed that the US WAAS correction signal does cover Australia, and they will progressively introduce precision GPS approaches in the future.
Transponder For entry into controlled airspace, and VFR aircraft transiting Class E airspace, a transponder is required. Transponder and altimeter require a system test every two years. See AD/RAD/43 and also AD/RAD/47. These two AD's are mandatory and should only be completed by a qualified aviation professional who has the necessary calibrated test equipment. Expect your AP to have a strong interest in your transponder/altimeter test results.
VOR/ADF/DME CAO 108.34 lays down airborne radio system performance accuracy standards. Most ADF and VOR equipment meet TSOs. Some older equipment does not. If you can identify another aircraft carrying your chosen equipment then a refusal by the AP is unlikely. Even if you install TSO equipment conducting the flight tests in CAO 108.34 is a sensible way to gain confidence in your installation.
Communications See CAO 108.34 for radio performance standards. For IFR flights you need sufficient radios to maintain continuous two way communications. Its hard to find a VHF that does not comply with TSOs.
Other Australian references;
AD/GEN/7 ASI and Altimeters markings
AD/GEN/39 Generator warnings.
AD/INST/9 Instrument test requirements/ 2 yearly altimeter test, other instruments 3 yearly maintenance.
CAAP 35-1 GPS installation guidelines
AD/RAD/43/47
Ok you must be bored by now and I will have set a record for the longest post here.........
Have fun!!
DB
