Transponder Certification Requirements

[Walt]

Originally Posted by PilotBrent

Very similar to my experience. When I went into the avionics shop after having flown for 2 years, the tech was not pleased that the equipment had not ever been tested. Clearly confusion that affected many of us.

BTW the first avionics inspection ran the equipment all the way up to the high altitudes (forget exactly but the routine ran towards 20K feet) testing my static system. Needed to access the AHARS in the tail for the test equipment which is a PITA. Thought that was overkill to run it all the way to nosebleed altitudes for an RV-12, but that is what they do and charged at least a couple of hundred dollars for it. For my subsequent 2 yr inspections its a quick on the ramp procedure and ~$100.

For a first time check or anytime the altimeter or encoder is replaced a "Data Correspondence" check is required. That purpose of that check was to confirm that the encoder (separate) and altimeter matched within 125'.

With an AHRS which uses digital output, and acts as both the altimeter and encoder, that test is no longer required (per advisory circular).

So the shop was trying to do the right thing but not quite up to speed in the new world of glass panels.

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by jliltd

The point being you can set your ship's altimeter to 29.92 and cross-check the transponder's pressure altitude reading. They should match.

Provided your altimeter is also calibrated on an annual basis, that is.

[NinerBikes]

Originally Posted by OKAV8r

The avionics shop is wrong. The two year recertification was discussed during rulemaking, and the fact that your ADS-B out is monitored for performance by the FAA system was seen as an adequate substitute for a periodic recertification. The transponder rule didn't change though, so we still need to make that trip to the avionics shop for the transponder SYSTEM check. So, if you disturb your transponder system in any way, i.e. change coax, change antenna, then a new transponder cert is required.....

And, if your transponder isn't certified on airworthiness day, it is an operational issue, not airworthiness, so, it would not need a ferry permit, but it would need an operational deviation approval from ATC, if needed to fly to the avionic shop.

Is this still valid?

My friend's FAA PAPR has been clean as a hound's tooth for 4+ years now. Nothings been changed or tampered with on the 261 Xponder Dynon provides.

[NinerBikes]

Originally Posted by Walt

For a first time check or anytime the altimeter or encoder is replaced a "Data Correspondence" check is required. That purpose of that check was to confirm that the encoder (separate) and altimeter matched within 125'.

With an ADHRS which uses digital output, and acts as both the altimeter and encoder, that test is no longer required (per advisory circular).

So the shop was trying to do the right thing but not quite up to speed in the new world of glass panels.

Bold portion noted, Thank You.

Do you know the Advisory circular # the FAA provided stating this test is no longer required?

[NinerBikes]

My friend paid $175 to get his transponder Altitude 2 year certification for the soon to be new owner ( a commerical pilot) and now his altitude has no reading on Flight Aware after being certified. His plane now fails the FAA PAPR report 100% for B alt and G alt readings ( red blocks)

In going into the Skyview menu under Setup>serial port 3>Xpnder 261> standard "1200" is used, both gnd and air and is the correct setting. However at the top of the screen in the Transponder box on the top row, the box is lit in Yellow and is locked in "Standby" mode, not Green "1200" with a little red "RE" circle next to it.

Any suggestions on how to take the transponder out of "Standby" mode, since it seems the guy that certified the altitude from the transponder didn't go back and leave the settings the way he found them.

Before certification: https://flightaware.com/live/flight/.../KWHP/tracklog
After certification: https://flightaware.com/live/flight/.../KWHP/tracklog

[RV8JD]

Originally Posted by NinerBikes

My friend paid $175 to get his transponder Altitude 2 year certification for the soon to be new owner ( a commerical pilot) and now his altitude has no reading on Flight Aware after being certified. His plane now fails the FAA PAPR report 100% for B alt and G alt readings ( red blocks)

In going into the Skyview menu under Setup>serial port 3>Xpnder 261> standard "1200" is used, both gnd and air and is the correct setting. However at the top of the screen in the Transponder box on the top row, the box is lit in Yellow and is locked in "Standby" mode, not Green "1200" with a little red "RE" circle next to it.

Any suggestions on how to take the transponder out of "Standby" mode, since it seems the guy that certified the altitude from the transponder didn't go back and leave the settings the way he found them.

Before certification: https://flightaware.com/live/flight/.../KWHP/tracklog
After certification: https://flightaware.com/live/flight/.../KWHP/tracklog

Two comments:

First, be sure that the Transponder set up menu has been set back to "Auto": SETUP MENU > TRANSPONDER SETUP > AUTO ALT/GND > AUTOMATIC (AIR DATA)

See page 11-42, "Performing Transponder Checks", of the SkyView System Installation Guide.

Example:

Second, the "Standby" mode (SBY) is active when none of the other modes are active (It does not have its own key to select it). Have him try to select "AUTO" (or "ALT") in the main Transponder menu.

See page 6-2, "Transponder Operation", of the SkyView Classic/Touch Pilot's Guide for details.

Example:

My guess is that the second suggestion will get the transponder out of "Standby" mode.

[NinerBikes]

Thanks, it was the 2nd step that fixed it. Go to "Xpnder" button then press "ALT" button so that it highlights. "1200 R" is now displayed on top bar of main screen.