Home :: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I. FAQ GENERAL QUESTIONS:

1.1 What is the limitation for all TSO Approved Equipments?

"The conditions and tests required for TSO authorization of this article are minimum performance standards. It is the responsibility of those desiring to install the article either on or within a specific type of class of aircraft to determine that the aircraft installation conditions are within the TSO standards. The article may be installed only when further evaluation by the applicant documents an acceptable installation and is approved by the administrator".

1.2. Does the TSO guarantee installation approval?

No. All TSO approved Equipments require Field Approval for installation. The TSO provides supporting documentation. Contact your local FSDO for details.

1.3 Do I need a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to install my TSO approved Equipment?

No. The TSO authorizes installation in any type of aircraft. The installer may do an STC if desired but any questions on how to do an STC need to be directed to their local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or Aircraft Certification Office (ACO).

1.4 What Document will include the FAA TSO and/or FAA PMA approved Letters?

The FAA TSO and/or FAA PMA approved letters are presented in the applicable Installation Manuals.

1.5 What Document will include the Manufacturer C/C Certificate of Conformance?

The Manufacturer C/C Certificate of Conformance is shown on the applicable Packing List.

1.6 AMERI-KING REPAIR STATION AND DRUG & ALCOHOL TESTING STATUS:

Ameri-King Rebuilds or Tests TSO Approved products manufactured by us and returns them to service under the authority of FAR 43.7(d). We do not repair of overhaul aircraft parts of appliances which not manufactured by us and are not required to hold a Repair Station certificate.
As an FAA TSO manufacturer, we are not required to have a Drug and Alcohol testing program.

1.7 QUALITY ASSURANCE STATEMENT

All aircraft products produced by Ameri-King Corporation are manufactured under FAA TSO Authorization (TSOA) and FAA Parts Manufacturing Authorization PMA.
The FAA TSO and/or FAA PMA approved letters are shown in the applicable Installation Manuals.

All aircraft products produced by Ameri-King Corporation, are manufactured under FAA Technical Standard Order Authorization (TSOA) and/or FAA Parts Manufacturing Approval (PMA) . Our manufacturing procedures comply with all requirements of FAR Part 21 Subpart 0. Our manufacturing facility is regulated and inspected by FAA LA MIDO ANM-108L, 3960 Paramount Bld, Lakewood, CA 90712. Our last ASCEP evaluation was completed on February 10, 2004.

Ameri-King Corporation was founded in 1976 and began manufacturing aircraft parts in 1989. Since that time we have produced over hundreds thousands appliances under TSO C-71a; TSO C-88a; TSO C-91a; TSO C-129a. These appliances are now in use world wide. During this period our products have never been subject to any Airworthiness Directives or have had any safety related recalls or service bulletins issued.

All inspection or overhaul or exchange of products and return to service is done under the authority granted us by FAR 43.7(d)

We have on staff a FAA DAR consultant and are able to provide FAA form 8130-3 Export Tag upon request. Any request for form 8130-3 must be in writing or noted upon your purchase order prior to shipment of the merchandise.

II. FAQ QUESTIONS ON MODEL AK-350, ALTITUDE ENCODER:

2.1 CONTINUING AIRWORTHINESS REQUIREMENTS FOR MODEL AK-350 ALTITUDE ENCODER:

The model AK350 Altitude Encoder requires no periodical maintenance as a condition for continued airworthiness. Maintenance should be preformed when the equipment no longer properly performs the function for which it is intended.

The above statement is not intended to contradict or modify and requirement of FAR 91.411, or of tests and inspections required by Federal Aviation Regulations.

2.2 Qualification and Compliance Basis for supplied Wiring Harness:

The supplied Wiring Harness was qualification tested as part of the entire TSO Altitude Encoder System. In review of AC-25-16, the supplied Wiring Harness meets the requirements per AC-16, paragraphs 5.c.(1) and 5.c.(2) which the Wiring does not create any significant potential for harzard.

2.3 What are the alternatives for Wiring?

M22759/18 or /35 (22 AWG) or equivalent is acceptable for alternative wiring

III. FAQ QUESTIONS ON MODEL AK-450 ELT:

3.1 Can I fly without an ELT if it needs repair?

Yes. Per FAR 91.207(f)(10)(i) "No person may operate the aircraft unless the aircraft records contain an entry which includes the date of removal, the make, the model, serial number, and reason for removing the transmitter, and a placard located in view of the pilot to show "ELT notinstalled"." In Canada, the governing regulation is CAR 605.39.

3.2 Do I have to install an ELT on my aircraft?

Per FAR 91.207 all civil aircraft are required to carry a TSO C91a certified ELT as well as Part 121 operators and operations governed by Part 135. Aircraft that are not required to
carry an ELT include military aircraft, experimental aircraft, balloons and gliders. When in doubt contact your local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or Aircraft Certification Office (ACO). Outside the US contact your Civil Aviation Authority

3.3 A GUIDE TO THE COMPLETION OF FAA FORM 377 WHEN INSTALLING THE ELT:

FOR NEW INSTALLATIONS:

Installed Ameri-King model AK-450 Emergency Locator Transmitter S/N (S/N of Unit) which is manufactured and certified under FAA TSO C-91a approval. The installation was accomplished using the manufacturers supplied, TSO approved, Installation data. (A description of the location of the ELT its associated equipment an any structural changes such as drilling or cutting should be included. It should be noted that any change in weight and balance was recorded in the appropriate aircraft records.)

FOR REPLACEMENT INSTALLATIONS:

Removed (Make & Model of existing ELT) Emergency Locator Transmitter. Installed Ameri-King model AK-450 Emergency Locator Transmitter S/N (S/N of Unit) which is manufactured and certified under FAA TSO C-91a approval. The installation was accomplished using the manufacturers supplied, TSO approved, Installation data. (A description of the location of the ELT its associated equipment and any structural changes such as drilling or cutting should be included. It should be noted that any change in weight and balance was recorded in the appropriate aircraft records, of if weight of old ELT was similar that change in weight and balance was negligible.)

Please note:

Many installers when replacing an existing ELT do so as a log book entry as a minor modification. AC 20-41A provides guidance on replacement of TSO approved equipment. Change in weight and balance if any should be noted in the aircraft log books and entered in the aircraft weight and balance data.

Note that per AC 43.9-1E Paragraph h (2) defines the Installation and Operation Manual as FAA approved data.

3.4 CONTINUING AIRWORTHINESS REQUIREMENTS FOR ELT :

The model AK-450 ELT must be inspected yearly to insure continued airworthiness. The procedures as described in the (Periodic Maintenance) of the installation and operation manual Document IM-450 should be followed.

These tests also fulfill the requirements of FAR 91.207. The function test as described in the above reference manual should performed by the Owner/Operator of the aircraft every three (3) Months.

3.5 How do I install an ELT on my Airplane?

Ameri-King does not have specific installation recommendations for specific aircraft. The general guidelines provided in the ELT Installation and Operation Manual are all that we can provide.

Ameri-King is an ELT manufacturer, not an installer. Refer to the Manual and AC 43.13-2A chapters 1 through 3, 11 and 13 with especially for ELT's, Chapter 2 Paragraph 28.

3.6 Can I mount my ELT upside down?

Yes, as long as the ELT longitudinal axis is aligned with the primary direction of flight and the G Switch arrow is pointing in the direction of flight.

3.7 Why the ELT Main Unit is immediately activated, upon the Remote Wiring is plugged in, with the ELT Main Switch is @ ARM position and I am not able to Reset it?

Your Remote Wiring are in reversed. Refer to Installation Manual for Interconnect Wiring configuration. The ELT wiring configuration is a straight wiring, not cross wiring (not a telephone wiring configuration). i.e. Pin 1 to 1, Pin 2 to 2, Pin 3 to 3, Pin 4 to 4. To verify straight wire configuration, looking at both connector Plugs, side by side, you must see the same color sequence on both plugs.

3.8 Can I mount my ELT at a 45 degree angle, for Helicopters?

Yes, refer to the Installation Manual, showed an allowable installation angle of up to 45° from horizontal, for Helicopters.

3.9 What are the alternative Battery Sources for ELT Main Unit and Remote Switch Unit?

Duracell MX 1300 and PC1300 batteries are approved alternatives for use in the ELT Main Unit. Sanyo CR1/3N, Eveready 2L76, Kodak K58L, Varta CR1/3N, Maxwell 4LR44 batteries are approved alternatives for use in the ELT Remote Switch Unit.

3.10 What is the Certification Basis for AK-450-1, ELT with Optional Multi Axes Acceleration Switch, for Helicopters?

The Model AK-450-1 includes an additional Multi axes Acceleration Switch. It contains 6 separated individual G Switches that allow operation on 6 different axes. Lacking of the Multi axes Acceleration Switch, has no effect to the ELT operation, because there still remain a main G Switch.
This concept of certification of multi axes sensing , using active axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, moving in the forward direction, per TSO requirement.

3.11 Can I mount my AK-450-1 vertically since it has 6 G-Switches?

No, The AK-450-1 was not tested or qualified to be mounted vertically with the primary G-Switch pointing "up". Further, please be advised that mounting the ELT in a manner not described in the Installation and Operation Manual is not recommended and would place the installation in violation of the requirements of FAA TSO C91a. However, it should be noted that the remote Acceleration Switch Assy does contain sensing switches for each of the other 5 axis. Ameri-King has no information on the equivalent level of safety for mounting the ELT in the vertical position. If the AK-450-1 is mounted vertically, the ELT will provide crash sensing but not in a manner specifically tested by Ameri-King and would be at the customers own risk.

The mounting Tray for both ELT Main Unit and Optional Multi-axes Acceleration Switch, must be installed on the Horizontal Plane.

3.12 Can I mount my AK-450-1, backwards since it has 6 G-Switches?

No, this would violate the TSO. The main G-Switch is required to be pointing forward. The remote G Switch Assy provides sensing for the other axis but are not defined or required by the TSO and are not acceptable for forward sensing

The mounting Tray for both ELT Main Unit and Optional Multi-axes Acceleration Switch, must be installed on the Horizontal Plane.

3.13 Can I use the my old antenna from my C91 installation?

No. You must install an Ameri-King antenna that has been certified for use with an Ameri-King ELT. The TSO C91a requires that the antenna be part of the approved "system" that the letter of TSO is granted to.

3.14 Can I install my antenna closer to my communication antenna than the 30 inches specified in the ELT Manual?

Ameri-King specifies the 30-inch minimum to reduce the chance of re-radiation problems and GPS interference. Installation of the antenna closer than 30 inches will not violate the TSO but is done so at the installers risk.

3.15 The only place I can install Antenna, it will put the antenna at a 25° angle- the manual states 20° max, what do I do?

Every effort must be done to find a location that will be within the 20° specified, however if no other option is available, deviations must be approved by their local FSDO.

3.16 Can I mount the antenna inside my airplane?

Yes, Only if the aircraft is fabric or composite where no large metal structures will be blocking the signal in the horizontal plane. The Antenna must still need to be mounted vertically (within ± 20° of vertical).

3.17 How do I mount an antenna on my fabric-covered aircraft?

Refer to AC 43.13-2A, Chapter 3 on guidelines for fabric covered aircraft.

3. 18 What is the airspeed rating of my antenna?

The antenna airspeed is rated at 350 Knots.

3. 19 I have a glider, can I mount the antenna inside the fuselage?

Generally yes, in the US gliders are not required to meet TSO therefore "anything goes". Most gliders are fiberglass, which will not greatly affect radio waves. If TSO C91a is a concern, the installation must meet the ELT Manual and AC 43 guidelines.

3. 20 Qualification and Compliance Basis for supplied Wiring Harness:

The supplied Wiring Harness was qualification tested as part of the entire TSO ELT System.
In review of AC-25-16, the supplied Wiring Harness meets the requirements per AC-16, paragraphs 5.c.(1) and 5.c.(2) which the Wiring does not create any significant potential for harzard.

3. 21 What are the alternatives for Wiring and Coax Cable?

M22759/18 or /35 (24 AWG) or equivalent is acceptable for alternative wiring.
RG-400/U or equivalent is acceptable for alternative coaxial cable.

IV. FAQ QUESTIONS ON MODEL AK-550/551 DC/DC POWER CONVETER:

4.1 What is the size of the input circuit breaker should I use for the DC/DC Converter application?

Refer to the applicable Installation Manual, Electrical Installation section, for how to calculate the Input Current to the DC/DC Converter against its efficiency.