What Defines Flight hardware?

[kiwisfly]

Re: What Defines “Flight hardware?”

Hi NQA Spec

The first thing I would do is get in touch with the FAA. They may refer you directly to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and / or help you directly. The equipment you have (I assume) designed and manufactured and wish to install in an experimental aircraft may need to undergo FAA approval under Part 21. This is because the experimental aircraft type you are planning to install it in carries an approval under an existing configuration. You are looking to change that configuration with your new system so may need to have the FAA approve the design change depending on the extent of the change. The kit manufacturer may be able to help here but the FAA will certainly confirm, it depends on the system you have changed and the risk this presents.

The FAA web site has a couple of AC's (Advisory Circulars) that you may find useful. It certainly makes references to the parts of Part 21 you may need to comply with. AC 20-27F describes the Certification of an Experimental Aircraft (of which you equipment will be installed) and AC 20-139 describes the commercial assistance the builder can utilise in the building of the EA. There's some other ones as well about certification of the builder and testing you need to undertake.

FDO is the best place to start for all of the above.

EAA web site is www.eaa.org FAA web site is www.faa.gov

Best of luck.

 

[Al Rosen]

Re: What Defines “Flight hardware?”

The aircraft is will not fall under FAA controls.

Is it military?

 

[NQASpec]

Re: What Defines “Flight hardware?”

Is it military?

I do not know what the boundaries of disclosure are for this program.

I am just looking for any and all requirements which might be used to qualify something as “flight hardware” to consider in defining the criteria we will impose.

 

[Al Rosen]

Re: What Defines “Flight hardware?”

I do not know what the boundaries of disclosure are for this program.

I am just looking for any and all requirements which might be used to qualify something as “flight hardware” to consider in defining the criteria we will impose.

The aircraft manufacturer will define the requirements. Then you will meet them and supply the "part" to be installed on the aircraft. The aircraft mfr will get a production approval for the "type" aircraft that your part is installed on. At that point you still can't sell your part directly to the operator, only to the approval holder. This would need to be done for each "type" aircraft. In order to sell directly, you will need a Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) for each aircraft the part is installed on. The process to apply for PMA is described in FAA Order 8110.4b. FAA Orders are instructions for the FAA to use. You can post additional specific questions in this thread. BTW, I was an FAA Designee for around 7 or 8 years. Although I haven't done it in a while and some of the details may have changed, I think I can still navigate the regulations and associated documents.

 

[kiwisfly]

Re: What Defines “Flight hardware?”

It could be a UAV Al ???

 

[Al Rosen]

Re: What Defines “Flight hardware?”

It could be a UAV Al ???

Could be anything, but basically the aircraft manufacturer determines the requirements.