transponder / battery power

[cnehus]

Yes, a legal transponder can be installed in your PT22 with min. added weight. Most of us already have some sort of battery we use and call it 'carry on' equipment. Here I have attached a Walter Dittel battery box, housing a 9 amp/hr Power Sonic battery in the baggage area at a total weight of 7 lbs. and still considered "Carry On Equipment" due to lack of PMA, or TSO on these items. A Becker remote transponder with ACK a-30 encoder both good to 15,000 ft have been installed, around 2.2 lbs. The battery will power these items for around 8 hours. An Electronics International Volt/Amp, VA-1 indicator has been installed to monitor power, around .5 lbs. Switches, C.B.s and Fuses located behind the Flight Report case. Power plugs for any additional carry on item located R/H side behind the pilots seat. So thats about it....a total loss battery system, no inflight charging, transponder, mode c, and battery volt amp indicator for around 11 lbs. that will last around 8 hours. "Field Approval" is required via a 337 form for this installation as is any transponder installation. The FAA has approved my package, it took several weeks, and a couple of minor revisions. I have put this off for 25 years, but felt it was time since I fly in the So. California airspace with lots of traffic. This added around 3 lbs to my aircraft since I already had a similar battery in the baggage area.

An added benifit for me was the removal of 10 lbs of ballast weight in my tail. With the removal of the starter, starter adapter, and all the brackets up front (years ago), the hard mounting of this equipment in the back, as well as my growing mid section, I found no aircraft loading where I required any ballast in the tail. I actually lost weight to my normal operating weight.

Chris Nehus

N53271

[cnehus]

The only issue the FAA had with this installation was the Power Sonic battery and Walter Dittel box as both are non TSO / PMA parts. We addressed this by identifying these two items as "Carry On Equipment" much the same as an iPad or Handheld GPS. If you wish to have a field approved battery with more capacity (11Amp/hr) and double the weight (12 lbs) you could use one of the new Light Sport Batteries now for sale. They are TSOed and could be installed via a Field Approval 337.

The whole process with the FAA did take 5 weeks, due to work load. The Van Nuys FSDO is one of the toughest to get things approved. If they would do it I believe any other would fly right through. Find an IA who has a good working relationship with the FSDO and you should not have any issues. The Field Approval Process is not dead, it just takes time and a knowledge of the regulations and good old AC43.13 for guidance. No DER, DAR was used, but be ready to quote AC43.13 and the regulations to get it done. The process would be quicker if DER, DAR was used, but more dollars! I have had a couple of DER's tell me this could not be done without them, it helps to have a GREAT working relationship with your FSDO!

Chris