Installing instruments and avionics in small aircraft

What's the procedure for installing instruments and avionics in small
aircraft?

For example, if you want to install, say, a stereo in your car, it's no big
deal. Lots of stereos seem to be pretty standardized, you just get what you
want and connect a few wires and stuff and its in. How modular and easy is it
in an aircraft?

I presume that when you buy an aircraft new, you get a selection of
instruments on the panel. Is it usually a fixed set, or do you tell the
manufacturer exactly which instruments you want, or what? Can you just
unscrew one instrument and replace it with another? Are connections and
interfaces highly standardized? Do you have to get changes certified or
checked in some way?

Do most pilot/owners have their own eclectic set of instruments, or do most
keep whatever came with the aircraft from the factory? In pictures I've seen
of cockpits it looks like many aircraft are highly individualized, with
various instruments replaced, upgraded, etc. It also looks like at least some
of the mounting and electrical or other connections are standardized to some
degree.

On Dec 27, 4:14*pm, Mxsmanic wrote:

Removing and installing instruments and avionics is not difficult but
only an authorized mechanic can legally do it.

Only an authorized avionics technician can work on avionics
(repairing).

On purchase of a new aircraft you generally have a wide assortment of
various instruments and avionics from which you may choose.

Ricky

On Dec 28, 12:21*pm, wrote:
Removing and installing instruments and avionics is not difficult but
only an authorized mechanic can legally do it.
Only an authorized avionics technician can work on avionics
(repairing).

Qualifier: in certified aircraft.

James Sleeman writes:

Qualifier: in certified aircraft.

What kinds of aircraft aren't certified? Experimental stuff?

I've seen pictures on the Net of people replacing instruments and stuff as if
they were working on their cars in a garage. I don't know if they are
actually doing the work themselves (which apparently wouldn't be legal, but
people do lots of illegal things), or someone certified is doing it and
somehow they took pictures during the whole time, or maybe their aircraft is
one that isn't certified.

I've seen pictures of all sorts of gadgets strapped and taped in place in
cockpits, too. Does that have to be certified, or is it exempt if it isn't
actually screwed into the panel?

Mxsmanic wrote in
:

James Sleeman writes:

Qualifier: in certified aircraft.

What kinds of aircraft aren't certified? Experimental stuff?

I've seen pictures on the Net of people replacing instruments and
stuff as if they were working on their cars in a garage.

Oh well, case closed then. You seen it on the net.

Bertie

"Mxsmanic" wrote in message
...
James Sleeman writes:

Qualifier: in certified aircraft.

What kinds of aircraft aren't certified? Experimental stuff?

I've seen pictures on the Net of people replacing instruments and stuff as if
they were working on their cars in a garage. I don't know if they are
actually doing the work themselves (which apparently wouldn't be legal, but
people do lots of illegal things), or someone certified is doing it and
somehow they took pictures during the whole time, or maybe their aircraft is
one that isn't certified.

I've seen pictures of all sorts of gadgets strapped and taped in place in
cockpits, too. Does that have to be certified, or is it exempt if it isn't
actually screwed into the panel?

Looking to spiff up your monitor for MSFS?

Be advised that screwing any gadget to your monitor will void the warranty. Use Velcro.

On Dec 28, 3:45*am, Mxsmanic wrote:

I've seen pictures of all sorts of gadgets strapped and taped in place in
cockpits, too. *Does that have to be certified, or is it exempt if it isn't
actually screwed into the panel?

It appears that the FAA considers attachment mechanisms such as
Velcro, clamps, duct tape, bubble gum, etc. to be temporary and
therefore acceptable for a non-certified individual to use to
temporarily install equipment. I think one key is the TEMPORARY
nature of the attachment, it is expected that the installing pilot
will remove it before some other pilot flies the plane, thereby
returning the aircraft to the condition described in the airplane
flight manual.

James Sleeman wrote:
On Dec 28, 12:21Â*pm, wrote:
Removing and installing instruments and avionics is not difficult but
only an authorized mechanic can legally do it.
Only an authorized avionics technician can work on avionics
(repairing).

Qualifier: in certified aircraft.

Another qualifier : Slide-in replacement radios (except transponders) can
be removed and installed in production aircraft by the owner/operator.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)

--
Message posted via AviationKB.com
http://www.aviationkb.com/Uwe/Forums...ation/200712/1

Mxsmanic wrote:
What's the procedure for installing instruments and avionics in small
aircraft?

For example, if you want to install, say, a stereo in your car, it's no big
deal. Lots of stereos seem to be pretty standardized, you just get what you
want and connect a few wires and stuff and its in. How modular and easy is it
in an aircraft?

I presume that when you buy an aircraft new, you get a selection of
instruments on the panel. Is it usually a fixed set, or do you tell the
manufacturer exactly which instruments you want, or what? Can you just
unscrew one instrument and replace it with another? Are connections and
interfaces highly standardized? Do you have to get changes certified or
checked in some way?

Do most pilot/owners have their own eclectic set of instruments, or do most
keep whatever came with the aircraft from the factory? In pictures I've seen
of cockpits it looks like many aircraft are highly individualized, with
various instruments replaced, upgraded, etc. It also looks like at least some
of the mounting and electrical or other connections are standardized to some
degree.

ANTHONY, YOU'RE A BOOR. GO TO A SIM GROUP! Note to all: Mxsmanic
(Anthony) is not a pilot. He has never flown any type of aircraft. At
all. He simulates flight on a computer running Microsoft Flight
Simulator, asks inane questions, and then argues about the answers.
Save your time. Don't answer.

Rip writes:

ANTHONY, YOU'RE A BOOR. GO TO A SIM GROUP! Note to all: Mxsmanic
(Anthony) is not a pilot. He has never flown any type of aircraft. At
all. He simulates flight on a computer running Microsoft Flight
Simulator, asks inane questions, and then argues about the answers.
Save your time. Don't answer.

I've already received an answer. I was pretty sure that there are still
people who can answer questions without throwing tantrums.