Post-install checkout checklist

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   Yay! I preordered an IFD540 in January 2012 and am finally having it installed, along with an AXP340, an AMX240, an MLB100, and a GDC31 GPSS. I am super excited.
Sarasota is doing the install, and I have every confidence that they'll do a good job. However, this is my first avionics upgrade ever, and I want to make sure I have a good list of specific things to check when I do my acceptance test flight. I don't know if anyone else has developed a formal list, but I will be happy to assemble and publish one. If you've had a similar install done, I'd like to ask two questions:

1. What did you take extra care to check as part of your acceptance, and
2. What, if anything, wasn't done correctly during the initial install?

Cheers,
-Paul

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paulr Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Jan 2014 Status: Offline Points: 545	Post Options Post Reply Quote paulr Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Post-install checkout checklist Posted: 02 Jan 2016 at 7:11am
	Yay! I preordered an IFD540 in January 2012 and am finally having it installed, along with an AXP340, an AMX240, an MLB100, and a GDC31 GPSS. I am super excited. Sarasota is doing the install, and I have every confidence that they'll do a good job. However, this is my first avionics upgrade ever, and I want to make sure I have a good list of specific things to check when I do my acceptance test flight. I don't know if anyone else has developed a formal list, but I will be happy to assemble and publish one. If you've had a similar install done, I'd like to ask two questions: 1. What did you take extra care to check as part of your acceptance, and 2. What, if anything, wasn't done correctly during the initial install? Cheers, -Paul

Gring Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2011 Location: Kingston, NY Status: Offline Points: 720	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gring Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jan 2016 at 8:15am
	When you drop off the airplane, sit with your representative and go through a list of all of the features (options) that you want installed / enabled. These would be things like: - IFD540 audio output to the AMX250 - a secondary music input for rear seats - any extra yoke switches for say TXP ident, IFD540 comm flip flop, etc. - Stdby Comm monitoring etc... Talk through all of the features and instrument locations so you both are on the same page. When you pick up the airplane, ensure they have completed the proper 337s with signoff, have the airplane flight manual supplements, etc. Most high volume shops will provide this in a separate binder, all organized for you.

ronl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 08 Apr 2015 Status: Offline Points: 88	Post Options Post Reply Quote ronl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jan 2016 at 10:31am
	Here's an ad hoc list I came up with for my acceptance checkout. It is nowhere near a complete list. Flight test: -Verify current data and charts installed along with the latest IFD and MLB software. -Verify GPS1, GPS2, VLOC1 &VLOC2 are all available as Nav sources and RMI pointers on PFD. -check FD roll steering on startup self-test -check fail safe com mode on pilot headset with main bus turned off -Verify IFD Displays will dim with cockpit rheostat controls if selected on setup page. -Check for electronic audio static on Nav/Coms at various frequencies -Check stormscope strike display on the 440/540, PFD and MFD. -Check WAAS/LPV functional on GPS approach -Check FD, VS, IAS/ALT, GPSS, NAV, HDG and intercept course/glide-slope functions on DFC90 -Verify ADS-B output signal is visible to ATC system. -Verify ADSB weather is displayed on IFDs. -Verify that PFD selected heading displayed on IFD. -Verify PFD selected course displayed on IFD. -Pressure corrected altitude available on IFD's? -Is true airspeed available on IFD's? -Is Glide slope/TOD intercept chime working? - Is TAWS /500 foot callout enunciation working? - Is transponder air/ground switch working (squat switch)? -does the "monitor" standby frequency audio function work? -does the OBS mode function on the IFD and display on the PFD /MFD? -does the IFD automatically sequence properly on Altitude-to-Heading modes (eg on missed approach)?
	Ron L

AzAv8r Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Dec 2011 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 154	Post Options Post Reply Quote AzAv8r Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jan 2016 at 11:40am
	wrt the IFD and the AXP, they can get Altitude from your encoder either via serial or parallel (Gray) code. Make sure the installer uses the serial interface on your encoder, if it has one. And if it doesn't, I'd recommend that you have the encoder replaced with one that does - they are not expensive when compared to the rest of the avionics you are installing. The ACK A-30 Mod 9 is about $250, and since there is a good chance you already have an A-30, install may be a simple bolt-in with a couple of new wires. (And as Gring suggests, have this discussion BEFORE the install starts). The Gray code is limited to 100' resolution, and has bad behavior if a single wire is broken. The serial interface provides 10' resolution. While the 10' resolution may not be terribly important in the cockpit, the AXP 340 will use that altitude in transmissions (transponder and ADS-B Out messages). A recipient of your XPDR transmissions will be able to much more accurately (and quickly) estimate your vertical speed and therefore whether or not evasive action may be appropriate.

AzAv8r Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Dec 2011 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 154	Post Options Post Reply Quote AzAv8r Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jan 2016 at 12:58pm
	btw, the Installation Manuals have post-installation checks in them. If you've not yet downloaded them from Avidyne, you should, and review them. For the AXP-340, its a single page list (section 7). Review that (and the following section, which is operation) to identify items in your installation. Key items for the 340 are squat switch or Air/Ground determination, GPS position received, Altitude received. And any external switches you've had them install. For the IFD540, Section 7 of the Install Manual is post-installation checks, Section 8 is flight checks. Review these, highlight items which will be included in your installation. I think you should go through Section 7 with the installer, then you fly the plane (in a safe, non-busy area) while they go through Section 8.

paulr Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Jan 2014 Status: Offline Points: 545	Post Options Post Reply Quote paulr Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jan 2016 at 10:37am
	This is great stuff, y'all-- thanks. I've downloaded the installation manual and started reading it. Lots of good detail there.