VFR & IFR Certifications

IFR & VFR certifications as they are commonly called are more specifically 24 calendar checks done in accordance with FAR 91.411 & 91.413. Basically a VFR check consists of pulling a vacuum all the way up to the maximum expected altitude of the aircraft on the static system to check for leeks and verify the altitude output of the encoder matches the altimeter readout, and checking all parameters of the installed transponder (pulse with, spacing, frequency, sensitivity etc…).   IFR basically is the same with the addition of checking the altimeter against our master altimeter. 

Rates for VFR & IFR:

• See our Shop Rates

    Note: Mode S transponders require additional tests by specialized test equipment not found at all Repair Stations.

VFR & IFR certifications usually take approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete, assuming everything passes without adjustment or repair.

The Process

IFR

The altimeter is removed*, it is connected to our digital master altimeter, pressure and vacuum is applied in order to check all parameters outlined in FAR 43 Appendix E. The altimeter is reinstalled* and the procedures for a VFR cert are performed.

VFR

Appropriate lines are connected to the pitot and static ports, the static system is checked for leeks (100ft/minuet at 1,000 AGL for non-pressurized or a percentage of cabin pressure for pressurized). A test box and remote antenna are set up to read the output of the transponder. Vacuum and pressure are applied and the correlation of the output of the transponders mode C are compared to readings on the altimeter at various intervals up to the normally expected altitude of the aircraft. Then the transponder is checked in accordance with FAR 43 Appendix F, to be sure all parameters are operating properly, some of these include reply frequency, power, pulse width, spacing, Ident, etc… Pitot and static ports are inspected for deformation and operation (pitot heat etc…). 

Note: The altimeter is removed on most non-pressurized aircraft. The reason for this is because according to FAR 43 Appendix E the altimeter must be checked for no more than a 100 foot per minuet leek at 18,000 feet. Most static systems in non-pressurized aircraft will leak much more than this at 18,000 feet.

Rates for VFR & IFR:

• VFR: $100.00 (1 transponder with mode A & C, 1 encoder).
• IFR: $225.00 (1 transponder with mode A & C, 1 encoder, 1 altimeter)
• IFR: $300.00 (1 transponder with mode A & C & S, 1 encoder, 1 altimeter)

Note: Mode S transponders, such as the Garmin GTX 330, require more advanced test equipment, be sure the facility performing your inspection has this equipment.

The specific FAR regulations are listed below, you will notice they are quite lengthy…

Federal Aviation Regulations

The specific FAR regulations are listed below, you will notice they are quite lengthy . . .

Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules

Subpart E–Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations

Sec. 91.411

Altimeter system and altitude reporting equipment tests and inspections.

1. No person may operate an airplane, or helicopter, in controlled airspace under IFR unless-
1. Within the preceding 24 calendar months, each static pressure system, each altimeter instrument, and each automatic pressure altitude reporting system has been tested and inspected and found to comply with appendix E of part 43 of this chapter;
2. Except for the use of system drain and alternate static pressure valves, following any opening and closing of the static pressure system, that system has been tested and inspected and found to comply with paragraph (a), appendices E and F, of part 43 of this chapter; and
3. Following installation or maintenance on the automatic pressure altitude reporting system of the ATC transponder where data correspondence error could be introduced, the integrated system has been tested, inspected, and found to comply with paragraph (c), appendix E, of part 43 of this chapter.
2. The tests required by paragraph (a) of this section must be conducted by–
1. The manufacturer of the airplane, or helicopter, on which the tests and inspections are to be performed;
2. A certificated repair station properly equipped to perform those functions and holding–
1. An instrument rating, Class I;
2. A limited instrument rating appropriate to the make and model of appliance to be tested;
3. A limited rating appropriate to the test to be performed;
4. An airframe rating appropriate to the airplane, or helicopter, to be tested; or
5. deleted]
3. A certificated mechanic with an airframe rating (static pressure system tests and inspections only).
3. Altimeter and altitude reporting equipment approved under Technical Standard Orders are considered to be tested and inspected as of the date of their manufacture./li>
4. No person may operate an airplane, or helicopter, in controlled airspace under IFR at an altitude above the maximum altitude at which all altimeters and the automatic altitude reporting system of that airplane, or helicopter, have been tested.

Part 91: General Operating and Flight Rules

Subpart E–Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations

Sec. 91.413
ATC transponder tests and inspections.

1. No persons may use an ATC transponder that is specified in 91.215(a), 121.345(c), or Sec. 135.143(c) of this chapter unless, within the preceding 24 calendar months, the ATC transponder has been tested and inspected and found to comply with appendix F of part 43 of this chapter; and
2. Following any installation or maintenance on an ATC transponder where data correspondence error could be introduced, the integrated system has been tested, inspected, and found to comply with paragraph (c), appendix E, of part 43 of this chapter.
3. The tests and inspections specified in this section must be conducted by–
1. A certificated repair station properly equipped to perform those functions and holding–
1. A radio rating, Class III;
2. A limited radio rating appropriate to the make and model transponder to be tested;
3. A limited rating appropriate to the test to be performed;
4. [deleted]
2. A holder of a continuous airworthiness maintenance program as provided in part 121 or Sec. 135.411(a)(2) of this chapter; or
3. The manufacturer of the aircraft on which the transponder to be tested is installed, if the transponder was installed by that manufacturer.

Part 43: Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding and Alteration

Appendix E–Altimeter System Test and Inspection

Appendix E
Sec. E43.1

Each person performing the altimeter system tests and inspections required by Sec. 91.411 shall comply with the following:

1. Static pressure system:
1. Ensure freedom from entrapped moisture and restrictions.
2. Determine that leakage is within the tolerances established in Sec. 23.1325 or Sec. 25.1325, whichever is applicable.
3. Determine that the static port heater, if installed, is operative.
4. Ensure that no alterations or deformations of the airframe surface have been made that would affect the relationship between air pressure in the static pressure system and true ambient static air pressure for any flight condition.
2. Altimeter:
1. Test by an appropriately rated repair facility in accordance with the following subparagraphs. Unless otherwise specified, each test for performance may be conducted with the instrument subjected to vibration. When tests are conducted with the temperature substantially different from ambient temperature of approximately 25 degrees C., allowance shall be made for the variation from the specified condition.
1. Scale error. With the barometric pressure scale at 29.92 inches of mercury, the altimeter shall be subjected successively to pressures corresponding to the altitude specified in Table I up to the maximum normally expected operating altitude of the airplane in which the altimeter is to be installed. The reduction in pressure shall be made at a rate not in excess of 20,000 feet per minute to within approximately 2,000 feet of the test point. The test point shall be approached at a rate compatible with the test equipment. The altimeter shall be kept at the pressure corresponding to each test point for at least 1 minute, but not more than 10 minutes, before a reading is taken. The error at all test points must not exceed the tolerances specified in Table I.
2. Hysteresis. The hysteresis test shall begin not more than 15 minutes after the altimeter’s initial exposure to the pressure corresponding to the upper limit of the scale error test prescribed in subparagraph (i); and while the altimeter is at this pressure, the hysteresis test shall commence. Pressure shall be increased at a rate simulating a descent in altitude at the rate of 5,000 to 20,000 feet per minute until within 3,000 feet of the first test point (50 percent of maximum altitude). The test point shall then be approached at a rate of approximately 3,000 feet per minute. The altimeter shall be kept at this pressure for at least 5 minutes, but not more than 15 minutes, before the test reading is taken. After the reading has been taken, the pressure shall be increased further, in the same manner as before, until the pressure corresponding to the second test point (40 percent of maximum altitude) is reached. The altimeter shall be kept at this pressure for at least 1 minute, but not more than 10 minutes, before the test reading is taken. After the reading has been taken, the pressure shall be increased further, in the same manner as before, until atmospheric pressure is reached. The reading of the altimeter at either of the two test points shall not differ by more than the tolerance specified in Table II from the reading of the altimeter for the corresponding altitude recorded during the scale error test prescribed in paragraph (b)(i).
3. After effect. Not more than 5 minutes after the completion of the hysteresis test prescribed in paragraph (b)(ii), the reading of the altimeter (corrected for any change in atmospheric pressure) shall not differ from the original atmospheric pressure reading by more than the tolerance specified in Table II.
4. Friction. The altimeter shall be subjected to a steady rate of decrease of pressure approximating 750 feet per minute. At each altitude listed in Table III, the change in reading of the pointers after vibration shall not exceed the corresponding tolerance listed in Table III.
5. Case leak. The leakage of the altimeter case, when the pressure within it corresponds to an altitude of 18,000 feet, shall not change the altimeter reading by more than the tolerance shown in Table II during an interval of 1 minute.
6. Barometric scale error. At constant atmospheric pressure, the barometric pressure scale shall be set at each of the pressures (falling within its range of adjustment) that are listed in Table IV, and shall cause the pointer to indicate the equivalent altitude difference shown in Table IV with a tolerance of 25 feet.
2. Altimeters which are the air data computer type with associated computing systems, or which incorporate air data correction internally, may be tested in a manner and to specifications developed by the manufacturer which are acceptable to the Administrator.
3. Automatic Pressure Altitude Reporting Equipment and ATC Transponder System Integration Test. The test must be conducted by an appropriately rated person under the conditions specified in paragraph (a). Measure the automatic pressure altitude at the output of the installed ATC transponder when interrogated on Mode C at a sufficient number of test points to ensure that the altitude reporting equipment, altimeters, and ATC transponders perform their intended functions as installed in the aircraft. The difference between the automatic reporting output and the altitude displayed at the altimeter shall not exceed 125 feet.
4. Records: Comply with the provisions of Sec. 43.9 of this chapter as to content, form, and disposition of the records. The person performing the altimeter tests shall record on the altimeter the date and maximum altitude to which the altimeter has been tested and the persons approving the airplane for return to service shall enter that data in the airplane log or other permanent record.

Table I

Altitude	Equivalent pressure (inches of mercury)	Tolerance ±(feet)
-1,000	31.018	20
0	29.921	20
500	29.385	20
1,000	28.856	20
1,500	28.335	25
2,000	27.821	30
3,000	26.817	30
4,000	25.842	35
6,000	23.978	40
8,000	22.225	60
10,000	20.577	80
12,000	19.029	90
14,000	17.577	100
16,000	16.216	110
18,000	14.942	120
20,000	13.750	130
22,000	12.636	140
25,000	11.104	155
30,000	8.885	180
35,000	7.041	205
40,000	5.538	230
45,000	4.355	255
50,000	3.425	280

Table II — Test Tolerances

Test	Tolerance (feet)
Case Leak Test	±100
Hysteresis Test:
First Test Point (50 percent of maximum altitude)	75
Second Test Point (40 percent of maximum altitude)	75
After Effect Test	30

Table III — Friction

Altitude (feet)	Tolerance (feet)
1,000	±70
2,000	70
3,000	70
5,000	70
10,000	80
15,000	90
20,000	100
25,000	120
30,000	140
35,000	160
40,000	180
50,000	250

Table IV — Pressure Altitude Difference

Pressure (inches of Hg)	Altitude difference (feet)
28.10	-1,727
28.50	-1,340
29.00	-863
29.50	-392
29.92	0
30.50	+531
30.90	+893
30.99	+974

Part 43: Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding and Alteration

Appendix F–ATC Transponder Tests and Inspections

Appendix F, Section F43.1

The ATC transponder tests required by Sec. 91.413 of this chapter may be conducted using a bench check or portable test equipment and must meet the requirements prescribed in paragraphs (a) through (j) of this appendix. If portable test equipment with appropriate coupling to the aircraft antenna system is used, operate the test equipment for ATCRBS transponders at a nominal rate of 235 interrogations per second to avoid possible ATCRBS interference. Operate the test equipment at a nominal rate of 50 Mode S interrogations per second for Mode S. An additional 3 dB loss is allowed to compensate for antenna coupling errors during receiver sensitivity measurements conducted in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) when using portable test equipment.

1. Radio Reply Frequency:
1. For all classes of ATCRBS transponders, interrogate the transponder and verify that the reply frequency is 1090±3 Megahertz (MHz).
2. For classes 1B, 2B, and 3B Mode S transponders, interrogate the transponder and verify that the reply frequency is 1090±3 MHz.
3. For classes 1B, 2B, and 3B Mode S transponders that incorporate the optional 1090±1 MHz reply frequency, interrogate the transponder and verify that the reply frequency is correct.
4. For classes 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4 Mode S transponders, interrogate the transponder and verify that the reply frequency is 1090±1 MHz.
2. Suppression: When Classes 1B and 2B ATCRBS Transponders, or Classes 1B, 2B, and 3B Mode S transponders are interrogated Mode 3/A at an interrogation rate between 230 and 1,000 interrogations per second; or when Classes 1A and 2A ATCRBS Transponders, or Classes 1B, 2A, 3A, and 4 Mode S transponders are interrogated at a rate between 230 and 1,200 Mode 3/A interrogations per second:
1. Verify that the transponder does not respond to more than 1 percent of ATCRBS interrogations when the amplitude of P2 pulse is equal to the P1 pulse.
2. Verify that the transponder replies to at least 90 percent of ATCRBS interrogations when the amplitude of the P2 pulse is 9 dB less than the P1 pulse. If the test is conducted with a radiated test signal, the interrogation rate shall be 235±5 interrogations per second unless a higher rate has been approved for the test equipment used at that location.
3. (c) Receiver Sensitivity:
1. Verify that for any class of ATCRBS Transponder, the receiver minimum triggering level (MTL) of the system is -73±4 dbm, or that for any class of Mode S transponder the receiver MTL for Mode S format (P6 type) interrogations is -74±3 dbm by use of a test set either:
1. Connected to the antenna end of the transmission line;
2. Connected to the antenna terminal of the transponder with a correction for transmission line loss; or
3. Utilized radiated signal.
2. Verify that the difference in Mode 3/A and Mode C receiver sensitivity does not exceed 1 db for either any class of ATCRBS transponder or any class of Mode S transponder.
4. Radio Frequency (RF) Peak Output Power:
1. Verify that the transponder RF output power is within specifications for the class of transponder. Use the same conditions as described in (c)(1) (i), (ii), and (iii) above.
1. For Class 1A and 2A ATCRBS transponders, verify that the minimum RF peak output power is at least 21.0 dbw (125 watts).
2. For Class 1B and 2B ATCRBS Transponders, verify that the minimum RF peak output power is at least 18.5 dbw (70 watts).
3. For Class 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4 and those Class 1B, 2B, and 3B Mode S transponders that include the optional high RF peak output power, verify that the minimum RF peak output power is at least 21.0 dbw (125 watts).
4. For Classes 1B, 2B, and 3B Mode S transponders, verify that the minimum RF peak output power is at least 18.5 dbw (70 watts).
5. For any class of ATCRBS or any class of Mode S transponders, verify that the maximum RF peak output power does not exceed 27.0 dbw (500 watts).

Note: The tests in (e) through (j) apply only to Mode S transponders.

5. Mode S Diversity Transmission Channel Isolation: For any class of Mode S transponder that incorporates diversity operation, verify that the RF peak output power transmitted from the selected antenna exceeds the power transmitted from the non-selected antenna by at least 20 db.
6. Mode S Address: Interrogate the Mode S transponder and verify that it replies only to its assigned address. Use the correct address and at least two incorrect addresses. The interrogations should be made at a nominal rate of 50 interrogations per second.
7. Mode S Formats: Interrogate the Mode S transponder with uplink formats (UF) for which it is equipped and verify that the replies are made in the correct format. Use the surveillance formats UF=4 and 5. Verify that the altitude reported in the replies to UF=4 are the same as that reported in a valid ATCRBS Mode C reply. Verify that the identity reported in the replies to UF=5 are the same as that reported in a valid ATCRBS Mode 3/A reply. If the transponder is so equipped, use the communication formats UF=20, 21, and 24.
8. Mode S All-Call Interrogations: Interrogate the Mode S transponder with the Mode S-only all-call format UF=11, and the ATCRBS/Mode S all-call formats (1.6 microsecond P4 pulse) and verify that the correct address and capability are reported in the replies (downlink format DF=11).
9. ATCRBS-Only All-Call Interrogations: Interrogate the Mode S transponder with the ATCRBS-only all-call interrogation (0.8 microsecond P4 pulse) and verify that no reply is generated.
10. Squitter: Verify that the Mode S transponder generates a correct squitter approximately once per second.
11. Records: Comply with the provisions of Sec. 43.9 of this chapter as to content, form, and disposition of the records.