18 April 2008

Mid-Continent Updates HIRF and Lightning Protection for new FAA Requirements

WICHITA, Kan. — With new FAA requirements for flight critical electronic instruments in place, Mid-Continent has responded with updated certifications on three popular products. The 4200 series 2-inch attitude indicator, the 4300 series Lifesaver^® 3-inch attitude indicator and the MD420 Emergency Power Supply all received FAA approval for higher levels of HIRF and lightning protection per the RTCA DO-160E environmental specification.

In September of last year, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amended Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for Parts 23, 25, 27, and 29 to increase the high-intensity radio field (HIRF) protection required for electronic equipment. This was in response to the potential vulnerability of aircraft electrical systems against the increasing use of high-power radio frequency transmitters. Aircraft with external composite structures are of particular concern in this regard. These regulations are now also the same as those required by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for European certifications.

The new amendment requires this higher protection level for all new Type Certification or Supplemental Type Certification programs. Recognizing that new programs would need answers quickly for their electronic equipment, Mid-Continent stepped up to enhance the design, complete the testing, and get FAA approval for key products by the end of 2007. As an additional effort, these Mid-Continent products have increased lightning protection to qualify for Level A requirements related to flight-critical instruments.

The 4300 series 3-inch electric attitude indicator began shipping in January of this year with the newly enhanced HIRF and lightning protection. This unit is currently qualified on over a dozen OEM platforms and relied on heavily throughout the industry for both primary and backup attitude reference information. The integral backup battery on the 4300 Lifesaver^® models helps installers meet backup power requirements mandated by the FAA and boosts confidence in the event of a power system failure.

The 4200 series 2-inch electric attitude indicator will be shipping by mid-summer with the new modifications and is a great choice for instrument panels that are tight on space. To meet similar backup power requirements, Mid-Continent offers the MD420 Emergency Power System that provides power to a Mid-Continent attitude indicator and lights two other standby instruments for a minimum of one hour. As a less expensive and lighter weight alternative to other backup power solutions, the MD420 is a perfect fit for certification requirements or safety enhancement.

All three products are covered by Mid-Continent’s one-year limited warranty and are FAA TSO approved and qualified to RTCA/DO-160E. Please contact Mid-Continent for additional information. They are available for purchase through any FAA approved avionics shop. To locate an avionics dealer in your area, visit www.aea.net.

Mid-Continent Instruments manufactures aircraft instruments for the general aviation industry.  Services at the Wichita, Kansas facility also include developing and manufacturing new avionics products.  Mid-Continent Instruments West in Van Nuys, California provides new instrument sales and is the top-rated instrument overhaul shop on the west coast.  Together the locations employ more than 150 people and offer the largest general aviation instrument overhaul/exchange program in the world.  Specialties include gyro, altimeter, HSI and autopilot system overhauls.  Mid-Continent instruments are found in all new Cessna airplanes and in Raytheon’s Beech line of Bonanzas, Barons, King Airs and 1900 Airliners.  Instruments are sold to other manufacturers such as GARMIN International, Honeywell, Cirrus, Lancair, Piper Aircraft Inc., Diamond and Robinson Helicopter Co.