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INDUSTRY OUTLOOK 40 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY we must have an approved ADS-B Out system installed and we must use it. I won't go into the details of 14 CFR 91.225 and 91.227, but if your customer is flying in airspace that currently requires a transpon- der, then that airspace will likely require an ADS-B Out system. Remember, this is the modernization of surveillance, so it is logical that if they are required to be under positive surveillance today, they will likely be under positive surveillance tomorrow. Calculating from March 1, 2017, until the final date for completion in order to meet the midnight, Jan. 1, 2020, deadline, there are only 713 working days, exclud- ing weekends and holidays. That is not a lot of time and certainly doesn't allow the procrastinators to procrastinate very long. Technician qualifications: Let's look at the age-old question. Can an A&P; mechan- ic install radios? Yes, of course — sort of! As far as avionics work goes, 14 CFR 65.81 (a) the general privileges and limita- tions for mechanics, authorizes a certifi- cated mechanic to perform or supervise the alteration of an aircraft for which he is rated but excluding any repair to, or alteration of, instruments. So the installa- tion of a radio is well within the scope and authority of an airframe-rated mechanic. However, the mechanic may not super- vise or approve and return to service the alteration unless he has satisfactorily per- formed the work concerned at an earlier date. The language of 14 CFR 65.81 (a), which is often overlooked, requires the mechanic to be experienced with the task they are performing in order to have return to service authority. In the case of ADS-B Out systems, this is not a simple installation of a transmitter but rather an installation along with integrations and configuration. So in order to satisfy 14 CFR 65.81 (a), the mechanic would need to show experience with similar integrated, configurable types of installations. The regulations go on to lay out a plan for qualifications if they have performed the work at an earlier date. ASSUMING THE TECHNICIAN IS QUALIFIED TO DO ADS-B INSTALLATIONS, WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SYSTEMS? 14 CFR 91.225 requires either ADS-B Out equipment that meets the performance of Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C166b, Extended Squitter Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and Traffic Information Service-Broadcast (TIS-B) Equipment Operating on the Radio Frequency of 1090 Megahertz (MHz), or TSO-C154c, Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) Automatic Dependent Surveillance- Broadcast (ADS-B) Equipment Operating on the Frequency of 978 MHz. While the regulation clearly states "meets the per- formance requirements," there are other regulatory cites that effectively require "approved equipment" in certified aircraft, so you want to be looking for either TSO- C166b or TSO-C154c. ADS-B Out equipment for EAB/LSA must meet the "performance" require- ments of TSO-C166b; or TSO-C154c. The FAA does not "approve" pairings for EAB/ LSA, so the manufacturer must attest to the appropriate performance levels for these aircraft. IS THE INSTALLATION OF ADS-B OUT A MAJOR OR MINOR ALTERATION? The FAA March 2, 2016, memorandum titled, "Installation Approval for ADS-B Out Systems," contains three critical elements: (1) blanket (FAA HQ issued) follow-on Field Approval of previously approved STCs; with (2) the approval of the STC holder; but (3) you must treat all follow-on installations as if they were major alterations. Therefore, based on the administrator's policy, all ADS-B Out installations must be treated as (at a minimum) a major altera- tion. According to FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 20-165B, the initial airworthiness approval of all ADS-B Out "systems" is done via a type certificate or a supple- mental type certificate. However, follow-on installations of the TC/STC are allowed. The March 2, 2016, memorandum contains specific language and proce- dures allowing a follow-on installation of a TC/STC approved pairing (system) without an explicit FAA Form 337 block 3 signature. However, there are specific procedures and limitations that MUST be followed. This would be extremely important to every A&P; with an Inspection Authorization before they signed the con- formity in block 7. THE AIRCRAFT Electronics Association hosts a variety of professional development training courses each year at its international headquarters in Lee's Summit, MO. AIRCRAFT ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATION