Inside Look - Aircraft Transponder and Static System Test

[@maheralazzawi7814]

very good

[@rael5469]

5:31 That is what we use at a major airline.

[@Maximka1100]

I came across with your video in perfect time Martin. I have scheduled my first IFR inspection for next week. Thanks.

[@martinpauly]

I hope your transponder and altimeter will pass with flying colors! - Martin

[@raulsandoval7003]

Thank you for the video!

[@martinpauly]

My pleasure! - Martin

[@jamesjames8402]

Wow! IFR6000! What a good rig!😍

[@boaz7051]

Cheers from the Netherlands! Blue skies!

[@martinpauly]

Heel erg bedankt, veel groeten uit Iowa.

[@lorendjones]

Very educational. Helps understand the cost involved.

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, Loren. Yes, a lot goes on during this inspection. - Martin

[@michaelsauser1482]

martin--my name is mike sauser -i was co-owner of bonanza 1566z--sadly my co-owner and his 2 passengers were lost in a CFIT on a very foggy night in 2011 on dec 2nd--i really enjoy flying with you from my utube on a 24inch screen-- I am too old to fly but about 1500 of my 2000 hrs are in bonanzas-other planes were cessna 310 and pipers but bonanzas are great

[@billnicholson2470]

Very interesting Martin. Thanks for this idea to show everyone. Great job.

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, Bill - glad you found it interesting. - Martin

[@edsonherald3720]

Pretty Interesting ! I Can Imagine The Same Maintenance Being Done at EHAM (Amsterdam) With 12 ft Below Sea Level ! Truly Important Everywhere !

[@eugeneweaver3199]

Invoice! What?! All this free advertising you are doing? I think I'd have an invoice for THEM! 😂 Great vid, Martin! Thanks!

[@martinpauly]

I am sure there is some dream world in which KZbinrs get everything for free - but in the REAL world... well, you saw it in the video. 😁 All kidding aside - Shane and his team at Classic Aviation are a great shop, and I'm happy to put a plug in for them. - Martin

[@HoundDogMech]

You are absolutely correct about doing a very through Preflight after any maintained. I failed to do just that after a Static/Transponder check on a buddy's 182. He dropped me off at the maintained facility in his supper cub and turned right around and left for home airport. I rushed the preflight and on take of I saw the altimeter wasn't reading correctly and neither was the altimeter. I pulled the alternate static source knob and things corrected. Upon getting back to our home airport I found what looked Blackjack Gum on both static ports. My fault for a pispoor preflight.

[@johnbalieboardman5324]

Thank you for a very interesting video.

[@martinpauly]

You are welcome, John. Glad you enjoyed it. - Martin

[@richardbieber9323]

Great video, thanks Martin!

[@hartvanmeter214]

Guys did a very good comprehensive check with one significant exception. The bare scale check is important as frequently ATC reported altimeter settings are very different from QNH (29.92 in. Hg) and the altimetry must adjust and track accurately. The checks are done every 0.50 in. Hg from 28.00 to 30.99 in. Hg. and must be accurate to +- 20’.

[@hartvanmeter214]

PS . The. Baro-scale is legitimately adjustable. It’s a delicate tweak of the Kolsman knob lock which is behind the cover screw just next to that knob. Don’t try it unless competently trained!

[@Stepclimb]

Martin mentioned that there were several parts that were edited for time. I’m sure the technicians completed all of the required tests in 14 CFR 43 Appendix E and F.

[@christinewunder1672]

Thanks, Martin, very interesting!

[@PilotFun101]

Thanks for sharing! It is amazing what we dependent on. It may not look like much but its the brains of what information it gives us.

[@martinpauly]

Exactly. Just think of how much we depend on the altimeter showing accurate altitude - keeping aircraft from running into each other in instrument weather. - Martin

[@LimeyTX]

I was shocked to see the Garmin poster in your hangar! Then I realized you weren't in your hangar :) Very interesting video. We take these instruments for granted but, when IFR, the altimeter is extremely important, especially on a non precision approach. My Comanche failed its last test but since I have installed a G500 Txi and a new transponder it should be OK now.

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, Martin. I agree, your new avionics should make it more likely to pass these tests. - Martin

[@Newberntrains]

The rental Cherokee had inop suckies on everything but the airspeed for training I assume Whoever preflighted next wrote in the logbook and Mx book “Nxxx Whole panel inop not fit for VFR flight” so they had to get all the instruments retested to null that entry The Mx is no longer kept in the hangar open and alone and is at the FBO where we get the tractor keys to pull the plane to the startup area ( parking spot blasts into light sports T hangar )

[@GMascelli]

Really enjoyed the video! This provided a detailed look at what needs to be checked and the process. I went through hell in my recent pitot/static cert. Labor intensive but now everything is squared away.

[@martinpauly]

Glad you enjoyed this one! - Martin

[@kevinstruska5823]

Cool stuff! I really appreciate you guys going into detail, even if you may not be able to describe everything to a blind guy! Happy father's day!!

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, Kev! - Martin

[@kevincollins8014]

I've always been the type of person that has to know how things work and what's inside them. I guess that's probably why I really enjoy and appreciate these types of videos. I must say a huge thank you to both of those gentleman for allowing them to be filmed and interviewed while they were doing their job. As always of course thanks Martin for taking the time to create these videos for all of us to enjoy. 😁

[@johnopalko5223]

Being a consummate geek, I really enjoyed this look behind the scenes at a fairly technical process. Thanks! And, yes, I was that weird guy in ground school who got all excited when we went over "Aircraft Systems."

[@martinpauly]

Good on you, John. A thorough understanding of aircraft systems could make a difference in the outcome of an in-flight failure of something important. Without systems knowledge, how would you even diagnose what's going on? - Martin

[@chris.D1]

Its really cool that your shop went through all this. Not many would do that.

[@GGBSystems]

Super interesting, Martin. Thanks!

[@markzimmermann3441]

Good explanation. Pilots really need to know these things.😎

[@martinpauly]

Thank you, Mark. I agree this is helpful for all pilots to understand, at least at a high level. - Martin

[@ravingcyclist624]

FYI. The difference between biennial and biannual is that biennial means once every two years whereas biannual means twice a year.

[@wgmskiing]

Thanks Martin and thanks a ton to the shop for showing us this. It's a really important set of checks and it's nice to see how they complete the work. These guys are clearly conscientious and thorough.

[@mishmish1968]

Appreciation, to the maintenance people they're doing a very precise, organized job, these people who make plane fly safely, thanks for sharing this part of the annual maintenance , all the best.

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

Hello Martin from Sydney Australia. Really appreciate the new learning experience with you and the avionics technicians. Printing a logbook sticker for: *Altimeter *Transponder *Encoder *Static system, highlights the professional standards. Overall very pleased of the accuracy tolerance shown by the gauges, great video. 🌫️🏔️

[@martinpauly]

Thank you, John. - Martin

[@Airplane_Willy]

Shane is the man. No doubt. You learn so much from hanging out in the shop. Although I was probably annoying "what's that do" "what's that? Ohhh, that's what that looks like" "why do you have to do that?!?". Most of the mechanics were cool with it. I'm a perpetual dry sponge looking for information to suck up like water.

[@martinpauly]

And that's how we learn 👍 - Martin

[@guntherbohlen4939]

Great inside look in an instrument package we are heavily dependent on. 👍

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, Günther. You are right, we depend heavily on the accuracy of the altimeter for aircraft separation but also for not running into terrain and obstacles. Even a slight inaccuracy could have bad results. - Martin

[@maheralazzawi7814]

Please how can I learn more about transponder SQUAWK

[@prestonmiller9552]

Martin, you did it again. Came up with another very interesting video. The technical stuff is probably not what most would consider the most exciting part of flying but it is a necessary and important part of it for sure. Thanks for another great learning video. Hope you made the trip to the bakery. Next to an airport, the bakery (any bakery) is my favorite stop.

[@martinpauly]

Thank you, Preston. At some point, I'll have to make a video just about the bakery in Pella! 😁 - Martin

[@Airplane_Willy]

I wonder if that machine can do RVSM checks.

[@martinpauly]

Good question, Craig. RVSM requires more than just an accurate altimeter check, but I admit I don't know much about it. Certainly those systems would be tested to higher than 20,000 feet. - Martin

[@5128goldenrod]

Very interesting. Great to see this......”unfortunately” your bird was dead nuts on.....would be cool to see the adjustments process....assume there is a screw/valve in th instruments somewhere? Like adjusting a magnetic compass?

[@martinpauly]

Unfortunately? 🤣

[@4-7th_CAV]

@@martinpauly I think he means unfortunate in the respect that we didn't get to see what happens if the system is not spot on accurate. A learning process.

[@WolfPilot]

Great tech video Martin! I always love seeing under dash/cowling videos.

[@CharlesReiche]

A static system with such a low leak rate, a rare find! Interestingly enough the NEW aircraft I worked on usually leaked like a sieve.

[@martinpauly]

Interesting observation, Charlie. Do you think that's because of the plumbing materials, or workmanship? Hope to see you in Oshkosh next month. - Martin

[@lynnkramer1211]

Did they state what aircraft need this to be performed on them? My Ercoupe has NEVER had these tests done that I know of. I have not owned the plane since new in 1946, but it does have a pitot tube and a alternate static port (both together). Could it be because it is VFR only?

[@martinpauly]

Lynn, does your Ercoupe have a transponder? If so, it needs to be inspected every 24 months (§ 91.413, "ATC transponder tests and inspections"). The altimeter inspection (§ 91.411) is only required for IFR flight. Regards, Martin

[@e.l.walker5050]

TennesseeTurkey is 30 for 30. Thanks for cross wind tips

[@crissd8283]

Does doing all this mess with airtraffic control?? Are they seeing a plane at 5000ft with a strange sqwuak number while it is sitting on the ground?

[@PuppyDogPilot]

Yes. See my post on this thread.

[@jimgiordano5378]

Very informative and well done video. I always wondered why it cost $300 or more for this test. After watching this video, it seems like that is a fair price.

[@grayrabbit2211]

Please more videos on what's behind the cowling / panel! So often pilots drop their planes off at the shop and have no idea what goes on.

[@FeralPreacher]

Since this is an instrument check, and nothing failed, is there a flat rate for the service? What would be the min-max costs for certification? Glad all worked out well for 70TB. Thanks for sharing.

[@jetdoctn]

Don't know if Martin wants to publish figures but on our Comanche 260B depending on the shop(we try and use the same one all the time but sometimes it isn't possible)it has run anywhere from 275.00 to no more than 350.00(if they come to you). Not a bad cost in the aircraft world especially if you consider what that test equipment cost.

[@martinpauly]

Yes, if everything passes this is a flat rate, at least at the times and the shops I've done this in the past. I've only found an issue once during this inspection, which was with the vertical speed indicator, and of course there was an extra charge to have that repaired. Around $300 seems to be an average price I've seen for the inspection flat rate. - Martin

[@FeralPreacher]

@@jetdoctn Thanks for the info. Was just curious about the recurring cost of IFR certification. Your numbers are in the range I was imagining.

[@4-7th_CAV]

@@jetdoctn Somewhat related to the testing on your Comanche... yesterday I watched an FAASAFETY . gov webinar on the "2021 National GA Award Winners". It included Michael Colin Dunkley, the 2021 Aviation Technician of the Year. He commented that always taking your plane to the same mechanic could lead to not finding defects because the mechanic "knows" the airplane and has already done the inspection so many times in the past. He wasn't saying that having a go-to mechanic is bad, just that about every 3rd inspection or so owners should have someone else do the inspection and get a fresh set of eyes on it to be able to spot something that may be being inadvertently overlooked. It was a very good webinar. If you, or anyone else, is interested in watching it here is the link to it: www.gaa-live.com/2021.html.

[@jetdoctn]

@@4-7th_CAV I'am the mechanic and couldn't agree more.

[@davidspeyers]

No trip to the bakery? Were the Tulips at least out or not yet in early March?

[@martinpauly]

No pastries were harmed in the making of this movie, David. - Martin

[@aeromotivesteampunk4567]

How much did the test cost?

[@martinpauly]

I don't recall exactly, but somewhere between $300 and $400 - that seems to be a typical price range for these checks. - Martin

[@eansugarman4675]

Excellent video Martin, appreciate the multi camera angle! Is that your son filming? Perfect video for understanding the test. It would be interesting to know the method by which the altimeter talks to the encoder. I’m guessing it must be a ‘analogue to digital’ conversion. Thanks again!

[@martinpauly]

Thank you, Ean. The altimeter does not talk to the encoder at all. They are both connected to the same static pressure line and work independently from there. An important aspect of the 91.411/91.413 tests is to confirm they are producing the same results based on static pressure changes. - Martin

[@Cavalier-lp8tr]

If the barometric readings are off, can they be adjusted?

[@DreadDoctor]

With the digital Encoder my understanding was you only checked a single point. Is the Trans Cal unit different in some way? Im referring to Advisory Circular 43-6D section 9.4.2. There is a note under item 5 about if the altitude is supplied via a digital form, ie 232 or 429 data. For the Trans Cal is 232 (Serial) iirc. Unless Martins is connected via greycode in which case you have to do the entire test. BTW, I like your checklist for the testing. Mind if I use it?

[@stevenslager2323]

FAR 91.411 appendix E explains it a little better

[@noochification]

Great video, always love to see the insides of an airplane! Even our the new electronic packages will still need checks, just different ones (hopefully easier and cheaper). The piezoelectric sensors to convert pressure into electrons are still susceptible to calibration drift and other problems.

[@Joe_Not_A_Fed]

Aero Peru Flight 603 crashed into the Pacific after ground techs forgot to remove silver tape from the static ports after washing the aircraft.

[@Whitewaterworthy]

Great info uhm well uhm , uhm, uhm,uhm . Hard to listen too. IA does not = public speaker. Again great info.

[@ravingcyclist624]

What is the enforcement to ensure that successful testing is done? If I don't have emissions testing done on my car, I can't renew the license plate. Any law enforcement officer can see that, write me a ticket, etc.

[@martinpauly]

There are random ramp checks that could be extended to a log review, but in most cases you could fly undetected without these required tests until an accident or incident prompts a log review. I would not want to take those chances. - Martin

[@paratyshow]

👍☑️Always interesting Martin, how's you new photo crew working out, is his fee separate or is it included?

[@martinpauly]

Sullivan was great help during this recording. I haven't seen an invoice for his services (yet). Maybe he'll settle for a flight in my Bonanza? 😁

[@paratyshow]

@@martinpauly + future flight instruction from "Uncle Martin" if he is a good negotiator!