Cloyd VanHook (aka BE+TH):
Having read Bob Steward’s article, “11 Ways to Get Legal Aircraft Parts”, am I correct that if my plane came equipped with a DG and an AI (which it did), I can replace them with any TSO’d DG and AI? I don’t have to find a model that’s specifically listed for my plane (which I think is the case for PMA parts)?
Bob Steward, A&P-IA:
TSO isn’t a license to kill. There are still restrictions. Tires are TSO’d, but you can only install the size and ply rating listed by Beech.
There are some special issues with Gyros. Some panels have a TILT and the gyro has to be specially compensated for that tilt. Not a problem in the Mouse, but you can’t use just ANY TSO Gyro, but the ones listed in the Spruce catalog, either Sigma-Tek or RC Allen, are quality parts that you can be happy with.
As for installing them, yes you can do the work under supervision, but you can not do the return to service log entry.
For those contemplating things to add to their Musketeer, you want a copy of the Beech Installed Equipment List for your make and model.
Beech will sell you the data package for your plane printed off the microfilm for about $60. It will have the original W&B, the list of installed equipment, original airworthiness, and lots of other interesting paperwork.
With the Installed Equipment List (not to be confused with the Part 121 and
135 Minimum Equipment List), you can see what was optional, what is required, and what is “standard”. Not all standard items are required, so you would know what can legally be removed or installed with just a log entry.
If you had the installed equipment list, you could see that Gyros are optional (I’ve never SEEN one without them), and that you can add (or remove) them with only a log entry.