Aircraft Modification Certification: Elt Installation

Abstract

The issue to be tackled is the accomplishment of a modification performed on an aircraft based on the installation of an ELT in the Beechcraft 65-88 of the Queen Air series. All processes involved in the certification of this design project are detailed, focusing on the creation of the pertinent documents that ensure compliance with European regulation and therefore verify that the change performed on the aircraft does not impact in any way the safety of its operations. Said documents are the following: Master Document List, Change Classification, Equipment Qualification, Certification Plan, Design Safety Analysis, Technical Order, Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, Ground Test Plan, Ground Test Report, Electromagnetic Compatibility Test Plan, Electromagnetic Compatibility Test Report, and the Aircraft Flight Manual Supplement. In the European Union, this kind of design project can only be accomplished by a company or organization that holds the DOA (Design Organization Approval) provided by EASA, an official recognition that implies that said organism abides by the requirements set by Part 21 Subpart J. Hence, the installation of the ELT to be executed must be founded on this set of norms, and the mentioned documents will be developed as if a DOA bearer was their maker. The mentioned certification documents gather all pertinent information about the equipment being installed, the classification of the modification and the aircraft’s certification basis that could be affected by the change. Regarding the latter, to prove that those requirements set by the authorities are still being satisfied after the modification, the necessary computations and analysis are performed to provide justification in the so-called justification documents.