FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-1B
Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices
Aircraft Inspection and Repair
AC 43.13-1B | 12. Aircraft Avionics Systems | 5. Avionics Test Equipment | 12-70. General
9/27/01
SECTION 5. AVIONICS TEST EQUIPMENT AC 43.13-1B CHG 1
12-70
GENERAL. Certificated indi-
viduals who maintain airborne avionics
equipment must have test equipment suitable
to perform that maintenance.
12-72 TEST EQUIPMENT CALIBRA-
TION. Test equipment such as meters, torque
wrenches, static, and transponder test equip-
ment should be checked at least once a year.
12-71 TEST EQUIPMENT CALIBRA-
TION STANDARDS.
a. The test equipment calibration stan-
dards must be derived from and traceable to
one of the following:
(1) The National Institute of Standards
and Technology.
(2) Standards established by the test
equipment manufacturer.
c. National Institute of Standards and
Technology traceability can be verified by re-
viewing test equipment calibration records for
references to National Institute of Standards
and Technology test report numbers. These
numbers certify traceability of the equipment
used in calibration.
d. If the repair station uses a standard
for performing calibration, that calibration
standard cannot be used to perform mainte-
nance.
(3) If foreign-manufactured test equip-
ment, the standards of the country, where it
was manufactured, if approved by the Admin-
istrator.
b. The technician must make sure that the
test equipment used for such maintenance is
the equipment called for by the manufacturer
or equivalent.
e. The calibration intervals for test
equipment will vary with the type of equip-
ment, environment, and use. The accepted in-
dustry practice for calibration intervals is usu-
ally one year. Considerations for acceptance
of the intervals include the following:
(1) Manufacturer’s recommendation for
the type of equipment.
(1) Before acceptance, a comparison
should be made between the specifications of
the test equipment recommended by the manu-
facturer and those proposed by the repair facil-
ity.
(2) The test equipment must be capable
of performing all normal tests and checking all
parameters of the equipment under test. The
level of accuracy should be equal to or better
than that recommended by the manufacturer.
(2) Repair facility’s past calibration
history, as applicable.
f. If the manufacturer’s manual does
not describe a test procedure, the repair station
must coordinate with the manufacturer to de-
velop the necessary procedures, prior to any
use of the equipment.
12-73 – 12-83. [RESERVED.]
(3) For a description of avionics test
equipment used for troubleshooting, refer to
the equipment or aircraft manufacturing in-
struction manual.
Par 12-70
Page 12-25 (and 12-26)