Larry Parham
Well Known Member
Hearing from A&P to remove and replace my Ameri-King AK-450????????
AK450 will be toast anyway when the battery expires, as Ameri King isn't supplying replacements.
I have been complying with this AD and signing it off using my repairman certificate every year in conjunction with the regular elt inspection.
Just wondering what the FAA might think about that?
The AD directs you to the normal inspection procedure, so I don’t see a reason why I can’t sign it off myself, but I’m interested in other opinions.
Thanks
Suggest you look at FAA AC 39-7D, Airworthiness Directives, para 13 for guidance. Typically, the FAA expects an A&P with Inspection Authorization to perform AD compliance, but that isn't set in stone. Some ADs will include persons also authorized to comply with the AD, such as the owner/ operator or pilot, when allowable.
As a Repairman, you are authorized to perform the inspection on your non- TC airplane. But, are you authorized to perform compliance on type certified or TSOd components? It gets fuzzy. For example, a propeller has an AD on the hub, and it requires eddy current. You can forgo the AD inspection while it is in Experimental use, EXCEPT if the AD specifies "installed on any aircraft", then you'll need someone eddy current qualified, not you, or the average A&P, or IA.
just one of many examples...
The one distinct difference is that a TSO'd ELT is required by rule, so it can't be put into experimental status, unlike an engine or prop.
To be fair, every ELT on the planet became a useless paperweight when the Aireon satellite network went online. All aircraft need now is an impact switch that sends a crash indication to the ADS-B network....thinking you've got an ELT when in fact all you have is a useless paperweight.
To be fair, every ELT on the planet became a useless paperweight when the Aireon satellite network went online. All aircraft need now is an impact switch that sends a crash indication to the ADS-B network.
Rather than going down the worm hole of FAA regulations, why not zoom back out to the 10,000 foot level and look at the bigger picture?
The Ameri-King ELTs were junk the day they were made and haven't improved since then. You might get a good one that lasts a few years, or, like many, you might get one that silently goes south in the night, leaving you thinking you've got an ELT when in fact all you have is a useless paperweight.
Do yourself and your loved ones a favor - spend the money on a good 406MHz ELT, if for no other reason than so your family can find your body and collect on your life insurance.
The days of justifying keeping an Ameri-King ELT should be in our collective rear view mirrors. It's time to move on.
Thanks for the discussion guys! I don’t see “Installed on any aircraft” in the AD. It has a list of aircraft types that may be effected.
Suggest you look at FAA AC 39-7D, Airworthiness Directives, para 13 for guidance. Typically, the FAA expects an A&P with Inspection Authorization to perform AD compliance, but that isn't set in stone...