Maxcraft Avionics received FAA validation of its Transport Canada STC SH14-50 (FAA SR03524NY) for installation of the Mid-Continent MD302 Standby Attitude Module. This complements the G500H PFD/MFD, or any EFIS package in a light helicopter, replacing analog instruments. This STC is applicable to light Airbus (Eurocopter) Helicopters, including AS350, AS355, EC120, EC130 series, and more.

Maxcraft Avionics is pleased to receive Garmin’s 2014 Silver Dealer Award as an ongoing Garmin distributor. Garmin recognized us as a top performing  aviation distributor again, one that we have received many years in a row.

FreeFlight Systems

said its certified ADS-B In systems have joined the ForeFlight Connect program. FreeFlight and ForeFlight will conduct extensive ground and flight testing to ensure a seamless customer experience. ForeFlight Mobile’s integration with FreeFlight’s installed, certified, and rule-compliant systems ensures that users will receive an accurate and complete ADS-B weather and traffic picture.

Maxcraft Avionics Alex Khavin, our Technical Sales Associate has started a new monthly parts mailer of used equipment we have available for sale and exchange.  This dynamic list consists of most common avionics and instruments used on helicopter and general aviation aircraft. If you didn’t receive the recent mailer from Alex, you can subscribe here.

The Importance of magnetic interference surveys 

A Magnetometer is an instrument for measuring the intensity and orientation of magnetic flux lines of the earth. Fluxgate magnetometers were invented in the 1930s and are used to detect the earth’s magnetic field and electrically transmit information to aircraft’s compass system. Today’s glass panels all need an electronic compass reference and a magnetometer to perform this function.

Magnetometer position test

In recent years, with advancement in avionics and electronic equipment, magnetometers such as the Garmin GMU44 or the Aspen Remote Sensor Module (RSM), have become extremely sensitive.

They are more sensitive to nearby magnetic disturbances than a flux valve or flux gate magnetometers. For this reason, when choosing a location for mounting such equipment, even if the location used by existing flux valve, it is highly recommended to survey the location prior to installation. This procedure could involve nearly a day of testing for potential mounting locations, turning on all electrical devices such as electric motors and relays, servos and swinging landing gears.

There are different methods of surveying for magnetic interference, but Garmin probably has one of the more advanced ways for this purpose. GMU44 Location Survey (GLS) Tool software, allows the technician to perform magnetic interference survey with satisfactory results. Once the survey is passed, it is very rare for the installation to fail the magnetometer calibration during the post-installation check out. In such situations, failure is usually due to a constant magnetic field present in the aircraft.

Magnetic GLS tool software

To perform this Survey, GMU44 must be placed on the desired installation location and connected to a PC with GLS tool software loaded. Next, the technician will prepare a detailed test sequence list with precise start and stop times for exercising all items in the aircraft which are likely to affect the operation of GMU44 magnetometer. With a test sequence ready, the technician will start the survey and stopwatch simultaneously. It is very important to follow the timeline for each sequence to the end. Once all test sequences have been completed, data is analyzed to verify that the test has passed. If the test failed, the technician can then correlate the time of failure with the actions performed on the detailed test sequence. At this point he can correct the source of interference or consider another mounting location for the magnetometer.

Magnetic survey results

It is very important to properly carry out the magnetic interference survey as it could cause hours, if not days of troubleshooting and relocating a magnetometer at the end of installation. Examples of interference problems we have encountered are Nav and Strobe lights, electrical current return paths, control cables than have become magnetized ( these can sometimes be demagnetized with degaussers), landing gear motors, and air conditioners.

FreeFlight Systems develops and manufactures NextGen avionics out of Waco, Texas. They have a proud team of engineers, fabricators, leaders, and marketers that are AS-9100 accredited.

Their passion has led them to a proven record of innovation, including the first airborne WAAS/SBAS GPS receiver; the first rule-compliant ADS-B UAT TSO; the first UAT STC and the first FAA-approved UAT for ground vehicles.

Their management team works to keep their costs low and they pass those savings along to their customers with affordably priced, high quality solutions. They are excited to have rolled out our EquipIt2020 program this year, embarking on a mission to equip 10,000 aircraft with a fully compliant ADS-B system for less than $2,000. They have ramped up production by modifying their famous RANGR ‘Blue Box’ to have a reduced feature set. This is their way of reducing price without compromising quality. Their RANGR Lite systems are offered through their participating dealer network on a first-come, first-served basis. Please check out Equipit2020.com for more details.