ASI Avionics Systems Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) in an avionics installation?
- To approve a new aircraft type for production
- To certify a change to the type design of an existing certificated aircraft (Correct answer)
- To authorize a pilot to operate new avionics equipment
- To approve an avionics repair station's facilities
Correct answer: To certify a change to the type design of an existing certificated aircraft
An STC certifies that a proposed change to the type design of a certificated aircraft meets applicable FAA airworthiness standards.
Question 2: Under 14 CFR Part 91.411, altimeter systems and altitude reporting equipment must be tested and inspected within the preceding:
- 6 calendar months
- 12 calendar months
- 24 calendar months (Correct answer)
- 100 flight hours
Correct answer: 24 calendar months
14 CFR 91.411 requires altimeter and altitude reporting equipment to be tested and inspected within the preceding 24 calendar months.
Question 3: An avionics shop discovers that a VHF communication radio has an output power of 18 watts, but the TSO authorization specifies a minimum of 20 watts. The correct ASI action is to:
- Allow operation if the pilot accepts the limitation
- Ground the aircraft until the radio meets its TSO specifications (Correct answer)
- Document the discrepancy and allow 30-day operation
- Issue a Letter of Correction with no grounding required
Correct answer: Ground the aircraft until the radio meets its TSO specifications
Equipment that does not meet its TSO authorization specifications is not airworthy and the aircraft should be grounded until the deficiency is corrected.
Question 4: Which organization publishes Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS) used as the technical basis for many avionics TSOs?
- FAA Aircraft Certification Office
- RTCA (formerly Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics) (Correct answer)
- International Air Transport Association (IATA)
- National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
Correct answer: RTCA (formerly Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics)
RTCA publishes MOPS documents (such as DO-160, DO-178) that serve as the technical standards referenced in many FAA TSOs.
Question 5: A cockpit display system is installed without an approved flight manual supplement (AFMS). An ASI reviewing the installation should:
- Accept the installation if the equipment has a valid TSO approval
- Consider the installation non-compliant because the AFMS is required documentation (Correct answer)
- Allow a 90-day period for the operator to obtain the AFMS
- Accept the installation if the pilot has received training
Correct answer: Consider the installation non-compliant because the AFMS is required documentation
An approved flight manual supplement is required documentation for avionics installations and its absence renders the installation non-compliant.
Question 6: What is the function of HIRF (High-Intensity Radiated Fields) certification testing for avionics?
- To verify the equipment can transmit at maximum power without interference
- To ensure avionics systems maintain safe operation when exposed to external electromagnetic fields (Correct answer)
- To certify that the radio frequencies used are properly licensed
- To test the avionics system's navigation accuracy
Correct answer: To ensure avionics systems maintain safe operation when exposed to external electromagnetic fields
HIRF testing verifies that avionics systems continue to operate safely when exposed to high-intensity electromagnetic radiation from external sources.
Question 7: An ASI finds that a repair station performed avionics work outside the scope of its FAA-issued operations specifications. This is a violation of:
- 14 CFR Part 39
- 14 CFR Part 145 (Correct answer)
- 14 CFR Part 65
- 14 CFR Part 71
Correct answer: 14 CFR Part 145
14 CFR Part 145 governs certificated repair stations and their operations specifications, which define the scope of authorized work.
ASI Avionics Systems Compliance 3
What is the primary purpose of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) in an avionics installation?