CUBCRAFTERS FIRST TO OFFER NON-TSO’d GLASS PANEL & AUTOPILOT IN PART 23 CERTIFIED AIRCRAFT

[sj]

CUBCRAFTERS FIRST TO OFFER NON-TSO’d GLASS PANEL
& AUTOPILOT IN PART 23 CERTIFIED AIRCRAFT

Company’s Flagship XCub Receives Garmin G3X Touch Avionics

Oshkosh, Wisconsin – July 24, 2017: Light aircraft manufacturer, CubCrafters, is pleased to announce FAA approval of a non-TSO’d, fully-integrated EFIS avionics suite as primary instrumentation for the company’s Part 23 Certified XCub. CubCrafters received the approval by amendment to the XCub Type Certificate. The amendment allows installation of the Garmin G3X Touch system, as well as Garmin’s digital autopilot.

“The introduction of the XCub in June of last year served as a catalyst for this certification effort,” says Randy Lervold, President of CubCrafters. “At the time, we recognized that the FAA’s revised “risk based” certification philosophy was forthcoming, so we chose to initially offer an analog day/night VFR panel on the new model. Longer-term, we were determined to offer the same functionality, safety and value as we do in our Carbon Cub family of aircraft. Garmin’s G3X Touch 10-inch flight display is an overwhelming favorite of Carbon Cub buyers, and it is a perfect match for the XCub as well. Now, only a year after the XCub launch, we have added the G3X suite to our Type Certificate, and more importantly, as an Option on the Order Form for 2018 deliveries. We believe the added capabilities and value offered by this new panel are game-changing.”

Certification plans for CubCrafters’ new panel concept were submitted through the FAA’s Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) in Seattle. “We were pleased that the ACO was receptive to our comprehensive, risk-based certification plans, and coordinated effectively with the Small Aircraft Directorate,” says Patrick Horgan, the company’s Director of Engineering & Product Development. “After successfully earning the new XCub aircraft TC, FAA certification and standards officials were familiar with our engineering resources, and supported this barrier-breaking program. Design, validation, and testing proceeded expeditiously, which is a testament to the strong CubCrafters’ team, and to the FAA’s commitment to implement enhanced safety technologies.”

Prior to this announcement, other companies have received approvals of non-certified products, originally intended for the experimental and LSA markets, for retrofit on Part 23 light aircraft. However, this is the first time any OEM has received such an approval for the complete primary flight instrumentation suite on a Part 23 Certified aircraft panel.

“Our new instrument panel delivers much higher performance than anything near this price point”, comments Jim Richmond, CubCrafters’ Founder and CEO. “We’ve heard from customers who own high-end aircraft with sophisticated certified glass cockpits. They tell us they prefer flying with the G3X system in their Carbon Cubs!”

“The implications for our market are clear and significant”, Richmond continues. “The FAA’s new risk-based certification philosophy will allow buyers of new certified airplanes to enjoy high-performance panel choices at prices that were unthinkable before today.”

CubCrafters’ new glass panel includes the Garmin G3X Touch flight display plus angle of attack (AOA) indicator as standard equipment. It also incorporates Garmin’s GTR 200R comm radio and GTX 335R transponder. The GTX 335 includes an integrated WAAS/GPS position source enabling ADS-B “Out” functionality, thus fulfilling NextGen requirements for ADS-B compliance in 2020. Garmin’s dual-axis autopilot, including the GMC 307 control head, is available as an option. The new panel is also “float-ready”, and accepts the control head for Wipaire’s 2100 amphibious floats.

For an introductory period, the new panel will also include the Sandia SAI 340 Quattro multi-function indicator at no additional charge. The self-powered four-in-one backup instrument provides precision Airspeed, Attitude, Altitude, and Slip indications in an easy to read EFIS presentation.

CubCrafters, along with officials from the FAA, will host a press presentation about this announcement at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, July 24 at the EAA Press Center during the upcoming AirVenture 2017. Members of the media are invited to attend.

The new panel will be available on CubCrafters’ 2018 XCub models scheduled for delivery in January. For more information, contact CubCrafters or your local Certified Sales Center.

 

[mike mcs repair]

https://www.avweb.com/videos/CubCrafters-XCub-Gets-the-Garmin-G3X-Touch-229373-1.html

 

[slowjunk]

Do you think this approval of a G3X Touch be sufficient to serve as the basis for the field approval of a G3X Touch as primary instrumentation in a Supercub?

 

[MauledbyaCub]

I had a G3X in my SuperSTOL and RV7 and would buy one for my P-18 in a red-hot second!
I fly a G1000 panel frequently and I like the G3X much better. It is amazingly intuitive.

Trutrak is gauging interest in an STC'd Auto Pilot for various models.

I can't post a link, but there is a page on their Websight where you can tell them which models to work on next.

Please add your name to the waiting list for the P-18!

 

[FdxLou]

It would be real easy for them to do a SC A/P since they already sell a kit for experimental Cubs.

Lou

 

[Steve Pierce]

View attachment 32257

CUBCRAFTERS FIRST TO OFFER NON-TSO’d GLASS PANEL
& AUTOPILOT IN PART 23 CERTIFIED AIRCRAFT

Company’s Flagship XCub Receives Garmin G3X Touch Avionics

Oshkosh, Wisconsin – July 24, 2017: Light aircraft manufacturer, CubCrafters, is pleased to announce FAA approval of a non-TSO’d, fully-integrated EFIS avionics suite as primary instrumentation for the company’s Part 23 Certified XCub. CubCrafters received the approval by amendment to the XCub Type Certificate. The amendment allows installation of the Garmin G3X Touch system, as well as Garmin’s digital autopilot.

“The introduction of the XCub in June of last year served as a catalyst for this certification effort,” says Randy Lervold, President of CubCrafters. “At the time, we recognized that the FAA’s revised “risk based” certification philosophy was forthcoming, so we chose to initially offer an analog day/night VFR panel on the new model. Longer-term, we were determined to offer the same functionality, safety and value as we do in our Carbon Cub family of aircraft. Garmin’s G3X Touch 10-inch flight display is an overwhelming favorite of Carbon Cub buyers, and it is a perfect match for the XCub as well. Now, only a year after the XCub launch, we have added the G3X suite to our Type Certificate, and more importantly, as an Option on the Order Form for 2018 deliveries. We believe the added capabilities and value offered by this new panel are game-changing.”

Certification plans for CubCrafters’ new panel concept were submitted through the FAA’s Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) in Seattle. “We were pleased that the ACO was receptive to our comprehensive, risk-based certification plans, and coordinated effectively with the Small Aircraft Directorate,” says Patrick Horgan, the company’s Director of Engineering & Product Development. “After successfully earning the new XCub aircraft TC, FAA certification and standards officials were familiar with our engineering resources, and supported this barrier-breaking program. Design, validation, and testing proceeded expeditiously, which is a testament to the strong CubCrafters’ team, and to the FAA’s commitment to implement enhanced safety technologies.”

Prior to this announcement, other companies have received approvals of non-certified products, originally intended for the experimental and LSA markets, for retrofit on Part 23 light aircraft. However, this is the first time any OEM has received such an approval for the complete primary flight instrumentation suite on a Part 23 Certified aircraft panel.

“Our new instrument panel delivers much higher performance than anything near this price point”, comments Jim Richmond, CubCrafters’ Founder and CEO. “We’ve heard from customers who own high-end aircraft with sophisticated certified glass cockpits. They tell us they prefer flying with the G3X system in their Carbon Cubs!”

“The implications for our market are clear and significant”, Richmond continues. “The FAA’s new risk-based certification philosophy will allow buyers of new certified airplanes to enjoy high-performance panel choices at prices that were unthinkable before today.”

CubCrafters’ new glass panel includes the Garmin G3X Touch flight display plus angle of attack (AOA) indicator as standard equipment. It also incorporates Garmin’s GTR 200R comm radio and GTX 335R transponder. The GTX 335 includes an integrated WAAS/GPS position source enabling ADS-B “Out” functionality, thus fulfilling NextGen requirements for ADS-B compliance in 2020. Garmin’s dual-axis autopilot, including the GMC 307 control head, is available as an option. The new panel is also “float-ready”, and accepts the control head for Wipaire’s 2100 amphibious floats.

For an introductory period, the new panel will also include the Sandia SAI 340 Quattro multi-function indicator at no additional charge. The self-powered four-in-one backup instrument provides precision Airspeed, Attitude, Altitude, and Slip indications in an easy to read EFIS presentation.

CubCrafters, along with officials from the FAA, will host a press presentation about this announcement at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, July 24 at the EAA Press Center during the upcoming AirVenture 2017. Members of the media are invited to attend.

The new panel will be available on CubCrafters’ 2018 XCub models scheduled for delivery in January. For more information, contact CubCrafters or your local Certified Sales Center.

So when is 4CC scheduled for the install and how much are you asking for the C180?

 

[sj]

So when is 4CC scheduled for the install and how much are you asking for the C180?

HA!

sj

 

[AZinAK]

Did anyone temp the Field Approval Gods with installing this setup in a certified Cub?

 

[dgapilot]

This is an interesting development. I think this needs attention at the upcoming DAR renewal training to see if we can push to allow follow on installations via Field Approval much the way AC23-27 allows the installation of STCs on similar aircraft even though that make/model isn’t on the AML via Field Approval.

 

[aktango58]

This is a good thing! This could lead to great thing!

Consider the advances in navigation and information that have been made in aviation, but only for experimental!

I was just talking to someone telling them that an ipad offers more navigation and airport information ability than the airlines had when I was in flight school.

Not sure that the TSO process can keep up with the advancement- maybe it is time to overhaul the 'approval' system?

 

[bob turner]

All that was eight years ago. Manufacturers have always been able to incorporate non-TSO stuff. Look at all the Champs out there with factory automotive type oil pressure gauges. No TSO on those.

I am in a minority, but I maintain that a field approval means that the parts specified on the 337 are approved for that aircraft. Just recently the federales have decided that if the supplier knows, non-TSO parts cannot be sold for use in a field approved installation.

I have no idea how this applies to, say, tailwheels, for which there is no TSO.

All opinion.

 

[bob turner]

I should note that, for avionics, it is not clear that TSO is required. It is quite clear (c.f. 14 CFR 91.215) that transponder equipment does not have to be TSO (it only has to be”meet” TSO requirements) and the same regulations for com and nav equipment make no statement one way or the other, except for certain over water flights. The issue comes up periodically, but so far the feds have not been able to cite a regulation with the exception of the one that says non-approved parts cannot be sold for use in certificated aircraft.

 

[AZinAK]

I should note that, for avionics, it is not clear that TSO is required. It is quite clear (c.f. 14 CFR 91.215) that transponder equipment does not have to be TSO (it only has to be”meet” TSO requirements) and the same regulations for com and nav equipment make no statement one way or the other, except for certain over water flights. The issue comes up periodically, but so far the feds have not been able to cite a regulation with the exception of the one that says non-approved parts cannot be sold for use in certificated aircraft.

So you're saying that someone could install "experimental" non TSO Trig radio and transponder and be legal?

 

[skywagon8a]

So you're saying that someone could install "experimental" non TSO Trig radio and transponder and be legal?

It appears that the TSO requirements are only applicable to airplanes which are certificated under FAR Part 23. Most of our airplanes are NOT Part 23 airplanes. The fact that Cub Crafters made a big deal about certifying non-TSO equipment is because their airplanes are certified under Part 23. All communication radios must meet FCC requirements (including those marked experimental). This has nothing to do with the FAA.

For reference read the following:

Installation in type-certificated aircraft

It is widely believed that all avionics equipment that is installed in a type certificated aircraft must have TSO authorization. The purpose of this pamphlet is to examine this idea by references...

www.valavionics.com

For the part 23 reference:

Federal Register :: Request Access

CAR Part 3
"03.55 Radio equipment—installation.
03.550 General. Radio equipment and installations in the airplane shall be free from
hazard- in themselves, in their method of operation, and in their effects on other components of
the airplane,"

If my interpretation is wrong, perhaps DGAPILOT will provide the correct answer.
I think when radios are marked "experimental" it is a form of intimidation by the manufacturers to con you into paying more for a "certified" radio. After all if they can get you to pay an extra $1000 per unit and they sell 1000 units, that's an extra $1,000,000 to their bottom line for no extra effort.
In the "old" days the King KX-170 was not TSOd. The KX-175 was TSOd. The only difference was the label on the front and the data plate and $100 more for the KX-175. 1000s of airplanes had KX-170s installed. At no time have I heard that all new radio installations must be TSOd. I would have expected this to be brought up at the annual IA renewal meetings if it were so.

 

[bob turner]

Well, I have heard that, big time. One ASI at my FSDO decided that I had done illegal radio installations, grabbed a junior guy and had him come by about once a week. I told him I would be happy to remove them or submit to some form of sanction if they could find a regulation I was not in conformance with.

After a couple months I had my ducks in a very tight row and the best they could come up with was “you cannot do that.” They also insisted that I apply for a field approval - I did so under protest (it is a minor alteration) and then with mild derision they disapproved the application they had asked for.

Go to 91.215. It clearly states that transponders must meet TSO. Then go to Order 8300.16A App 1.10, where the FAA instructs its ASIs on what “meets” means. It does not mean “must be TSO.”

There are other regs that were in my favor, but the key here is so long as a transponder conforms to the TSO it is legal.

There is also a regulation that says a manufacturer cannot sell a non-approved part for use in a standard certificated aircraft. That is a sticky point, but it simply does not apply to installation.

But, you might urge, a com radio is not a transponder, so 215 has nothing to do with it. That may be ok in our world, but once you start looking at it from a legal standpoint you will find identical regs in part 91 for com and nav radios without any statement at all about meeting a TSO. The argument is that they knew how to restrict radios to the “meets TSO” requirement, yet failed to do so for anything other than a transponder.

And as stated in another post above, any com radio must meet RTCA DO186B, and the Garmin 200 clearly states that it does. Then you go to the TSO and find that it is just a copy/paste of that standard.

I could go on, but you get the idea.