Avionics News February 2015 - 58

TOOLS AND TEST EQUIPMENT
Continued from page 57

However, some manufacturers
are reluctant to provide relevant
proprietary technical information on
software, tolerances, repeatability
and accuracy of test signals and
measured parameters.
A process called "reverse
engineering" may be required
to obtain the missing technical

information and develop calibration
procedures for the "equivalent"
specialized tools and test panels,
semiautomatic test stations or
automatic test equipment.
Repair stations generally contract
FAA designated engineering
representatives when specialized
tools and test panels, semiautomatic
test stations or automatic test
equipment are involved in the
reverse-engineering process.

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58

avionics news

february

2015

These persons assist repair stations
on tasks related to substantiation of
functional equivalency of technical
data, including the development
and evaluation of alternate
maintenance methods, techniques
and practices that may be required
to use the "equivalent" tools and test
equipment.
The nature and complexity of
the process requires DERs to have
special delegation authorization
to work on major repairs and
alterations, repair specifications and,
possibly, safety analysis.
The component maintenance manual
and other applicable manufacturer
documents must always be carefully
reviewed before contemplating the
use of "equivalent" tools and test
equipment to ensure that sufficiently
detailed technical information is
readily available to perform the
reverse-engineering process.
FAA Order 8900.1, Volume 6,
Chapter 9, Section 9, Paragraph
6-1800C (1) requires FAA
inspectors to verify that the repair
station's RSM or QCM includes
procedures for ensuring the tools
and test equipment used in the
performance of maintenance and
alterations are those recommended
by the component's manufacturer
or equivalents that are acceptable to
the FAA.
The following guidance also
is provided in that document for
equivalency determinations:
1.

The basis of equivalency
is the requirement that
the component meet the
manufacturer's standards
and specifications in all
respects regarding tolerances,
repeatability and accuracy.

FAA designated engineering
representatives may not
Continued on page 60

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Avionics News February 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News February 2015