AirGizmo Panel Mount 337

[David Pfeffer]

Does anyone have an example 337 for an Air Gizmo panel mount installation? The panel I just modified on the PA-30 has the Air Gizmo panel mount in the center stack (for a 496). I have already gotten this approved on a previous aircraft in the past, but I need more examples for the FSDO for some reason. It's a little rediculous..

[VANBLADEREN]

The purpose of a 337 is to indicate a major alteration of your airplane. I would hardly consider an air gizmo to be a major alteration especially if the power for the GPS comes from a plug in the cigar lighter. It would be no different than a yoke mounted GPS which plugs into the cigar lighter. This is simply a temporary installation.

In order to execute a major alteration, you would need previously FAA data which allows you to do this change. I do not think you are going to find a FSDO which is going to in writing approve a non TSO'd piece of equipment with wiring which does not meet current aircraft standards.

Regards

jvb

[David Pfeffer]

Morning JVB ,
I've received field approvals for installation of Air Gizmo mounts and associated wiring 3 times in the last 2 years. The FSDOs have historically considered this a MAJOR alteration. You're flush mounting a panel dock in the radio stack (securing with permanent hardware) and tapping into the electrical system (adding a circuit breaker and hard wiring the power/data cord). I've had written correspondence from my Orlando FSDO stating it was MAJOR in the past and have thus always submitted 337s for fields repairs, which were then approved. My latest (for my PA-30 restoration) was rejected and I've been working with the particular PAI at the FSDO trying to sort out FAA policy on it.

[David Pfeffer]

Hey gang,
Got my 337 issues with PED installation sorted out. Thought you all may be interested in the new National Policy.

--------Installation of Portable Electronic Devices (PED), Mounts, and Wiring--------

My local FSDO recently rejected a 337 that installed a G496 Air Gizmo Panel Mount and Garmin Power/Data cable. I've installed 3 of these in the last 2 years with 337 field approvals, but this time it got rejected. I asked the FSDO to dig up any memos/FSDO policy statements because I knew there was data out there. They found a local policy from the early 2000 timeframe stating the mounts and wiring for PEDs could be installed via a field approval providing both met flammability requirements set forth in FAR Part 23. So I tracked down burn certs for the units and thought I was good to go. The FSDO then found the latest national memo on PEDs (dated 18 June 2012) stating that PEDs, mounts, and associating wiring can be installed as a MINOR alteration providing it's installed per AC43.13-1B and a handful of other ACs. That's actually much easier and great news for anyone wishing to install a PED mount and/or hard wiring! It of course forces the A&P to take more responsibility for the install, but it permits a LEGAL, MINOR installation of these very useful devices.

PEDs can now be installed as a MINOR per FAA National Policy Statement PS-ACE-23-01 (attached).

[VANBLADEREN]

David, I am happy to see the policy put down on paper. Thank you for digging this up.

Regards

jvb

[Kory Kearney]

Yep, I've installed these in my personal airplanes before, and even the avionics guys that watch legal stuff like a hawk deem them as a trim, ie minor. It just so happens that the piece of trim may or may not hold a gps like a glove, haha