Dynon EFIS

[faselh]

I am considering to exchange my (inoperable) Attitude Indicator with a Dynon EFIS.
Has any body done this? Are there problems with FAA certification?

Hermann

[Steve Sliwa]

Hi Hermann

My new bird, 200.175, that I just picked up from Ximango USA had the Dynon EFIS, EMS and HS34 installed. So that can be a reference for you.

Check with those guys. I was covered under the new bird provision provided by the factory and its agents. However, this standard may make it easy to get a 337 done, if that is needed.

[N97SM]

My attitude gyro was out for repair 4 times in 10 years. Never worked longer than a few weeks.

Those EFIS look very nice. Both features and price.

I sent an email to Dynon for advise about installing non-TSO'ed gear in certified aircraft. Here is the response:

Hi Roland. Yours is a very common question for us.

Our equipment is not TSO'd, STC'd, or otherwise certified for installation in type-certified aircraft. It is designed for use in Experimental/Homebuilt aircraft and in Light Sport aircraft.

There is a process for installing some types of non-certified equipment into certified aircraft through Field Approval, which relies on documentation using the FAA Form 337. While it may be theoretically possible to obtain FAA field approval for installation of one of our EFIS displays in your aircraft, the Dynon EFIS products need to be permanently mounted and require pitot, static, and power connections. Therefore, it is unlikely you would be successful in obtaining such a field approval. We do not provide supporting documentation for any Form 337 applications.

We appreciate your interest in our equipment and hope you may find the opportunity to use it in other aircraft in your flying future.

Regards,
--
Dynon General Support
info@dynonavionics.com

[N97SM]

Roland,

One follow-up note regarding your inquiry. We are not experts in the certification of gliders and motor gliders. It is possible those certification requirements may differ in such a way as to permit installation of equipment such as ours.

We recommend you contact the aircraft manufacturer, or possibly their US representative/dealer, to inquire further.

Regards,
--
Dynon General Support

[Steve Sliwa]

My installation was handled by the factory and tuned/extended by Ximango USA. They might be able to give some guidance on the installation. Normally, 337s are easier to get if there is a factory reference.

Note I think Dynon would be cautious since their system could be used for night and/or IFR in other type certificated aircraft. Since ours is limited to day/VFR I think we should be easier to convince the FAA to consider a 337.

To motivate people to check it out I have a very brief video here (use free Quicktime Player). Note you can right click the link to download the file, it's about 4MB.

Link: Dynon_Snippet.mov

I will try to do a video in the future showing the various functions. I use the EMS a lot and the EFIS a bit, but mostly during trips.

[N97SM]

Roland,


Yes, it should be able to be done. We have now delivered about ten new Ximangos with Dynon EFIS 10A's installed, all factory-certified and approved by the Brazilian ANAC and the FAA. Based on that history, Jerry Owens has recently obtained 337 approval of an installed Dynon 10A EFIS in an older Ximango, SN 52, I believe. Jerry has the details. He's vacationing a lot but I think can be reached at jowens1824@bellsouth.net. Please keep us posted.


Regards,


Chuck

[Cliff Goldman]

Hi Hermann,

My 200S came from the factory with a D10 installed. It cratered and was upgraded by the previous owner to a D10A. You're welcome to use me as a reference if it will help you get a 337 approved.

Good luck & booming thermals.
Cliff Goldman
N9MQ

[N97SM]

Cliff and Steve (and other owners with Dynon EFIS installed):

Would you be willing to post a copy of your airworthiness certificate and a picture of your instument panel? This might help to get a field approval for retrofitting D10A's in older Ximangos like mine.

I talked to Eric Bubny, the avionics inspector at my FSDO in Philadelhia. Here is what I learned:

The easiest and fastest way to get an approval to install non-TSO'ed avionics is via a Service Bulletin issued by the airframe manufacturer. I asked Chuck to try to get an SB from Aeromot. That will take some time.

Short of that my FSDO must work through an FAA enineering office located somewhere in NY to evaluate the case and get a so called 'field approval'. To speed up that process anything that shows prior evaluation by FAA of similar cases is helpful. This includes names and numbers of inspectors who signed the airworthiness certificate of aircraft imported with such equipment.

An other way to speed up the process is to present approved 337's for similar cases.
If anybody has such a form, please share it with us.

I cannot wait to get a new gadget in my old bird.

Thanks a lot,

Roland Martin
N97SM

[Cliff Goldman]

My panel & airworthiness certificate pic files are attached. Hope they are helpful.

Cliff Goldman
N40CG

[faselh]

Chuck,
I emailed Jerry Owens several times - no reply.
Do you have a telephone number?
Thanks,
Hermann