Split topic from Tiny Radios... -Z
------------------------------------

First question: Are you talking experimental or certified airplane? If certified, then you'll need a TSO'd radio.

Not all are.

MTV

experimental

mtv wrote:First question: Are you talking experimental or certified airplane? If certified, then you'll need a TSO'd radio.

Not all are.

MTV

What is your reference?
Thanks

Talk to your friendly local FAA. They are the ones who will make the ultimate determination as to whether a radio is "legal" or not. And, in my experience, if the radio isn't TSO'd, they won't approve it.

In my OPINION, there is no need to use a TSO'd radio in any airplane unless perhaps it is being used for IFR. However, the FAA Administrator has not as yet approved my appointment as "King of modifications and installations".

If it's experimental, no sweat. If it's certified, I'd talk to the local FSDO BEFORE purchasing the radio.

MTV

I've been wondering the whole TSO'd radio thing up here in Canada. For flight Data recorders they must be TSO'd, (it says it in CAR 551.1, ELT's say TSO... Terrain warning systems say TSO... When you get to communication equipment 551.107, there is no mention of TSO, but it says that it must be installed iaw the manufacturers recomendations and tested and evaluated using Chapter 5 of AC23-8B. I'm trying to know for sure, whether a non TSO'd radio can be installed in a privately operated normal category type certified aircraft. Someone told me that somewhere in the CAR's it says that all equipment that is wired into the aircraft must be TSO'd.. But i haven't seen any wording of this sort yet.

I installed an Icom A200 in my airplane a couple years ago. When we went to do the paperwork, the local PMI told us that if was TSO'd we could log it as a minor alteration-- If not TSO'd, it would need to be a field approval
I've also heard that radio gear needs a TSO to be IFR cert'd.

hotrod150 wrote:I installed an Icom A200 in my airplane a couple years ago. When we went to do the paperwork, the local PMI told us that if was TSO'd we could log it as a minor alteration-- If not TSO'd, it would need to be a field approval
I've also heard that radio gear needs a TSO to be IFR cert'd.

I'd agree with this statement. Unfortunately, every FSDO seems to have it's own interpretation of all such matters, hence my suggestion to be careful and do some research with the FSDO FIRST. Remember, just because a mechanic signs and submits a form 337 does not mean the FAA HAS to accept it. I've seen mechanics submit things that SHOULD be considered a minor alteration, and the FSDO assert that in fact it's a major......go figure.

Many experimental aircraft utilize non TSO'd primary instrumentation and radios and operate legally under IFR. I SUSPECT for a certified airplane a radio is going to have to be TSO'd for IFR use.

Maybe.....

MTV

Two years ago I talked with the Boise PMI and PAI about putting in a non-tso'd radio in my plane. They said no problem as long as I could show them that my plane was certified under regulations that did not call out a TSO'd radio. as far as i could tell CAR 4a did not. They said I would need a field approval if I had to cut the panel, which makes sense. I couldn't find a mechanic that was willing to install a non-tso's radio with a logbook entry.

Like MTV said...every FSDO is different.

As I recall, Ico used to offer two versions of their A200 com radio- TSO'd & non-TSO'd. The only difference I'm aware of is that the TSO'd one cost a hundred bucks more- kinda like the difference between the STC'd B&C starters & the experimental versions.