Letter from the President and CEO, John Uczekaj
Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB)
Dear Valued Customers and Partners,
I am writing to you to in response to a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) issued on July 9, 2018 by the FAA regarding an airworthiness concern for aircraft equipped with the Aspen EFD1000 primary flight display.
An Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) event on an aerial application aircraft (Air Tractor - AT-802A) occurred when the aircraft was operating under night VFR conditions. Unlike the majority of aircraft in the general aviation fleet, this particular installation had a high intensity light that draws high electrical currents. Turning this on impacted both the whiskey compass of the aircraft and the Aspen Directional Gyro (DG), and attitude displayed on the Aspen EFD1000. The Aspen system is designed, like other EFIS systems, with a magnetometer that must be installed in an area of the airplane that is not susceptible to magnetic interference. Aspen provides flexibility and instructions to the authorized dealer on where to install the magnetometer during the system installation.
If modifications are made to your aircraft after your Aspen system has been installed, that could potentially affect the heading system, it is recommended your shop recalibrate your Aspen system in accordance with the installation manual procedures.
We are cooperating fully with the FAA, and it is not an airworthiness concern. I have been flying confidently and without issues behind Aspen equipment for over 8 years, as well as my sales, flight test team and Aspen Board of Directors member, retired AOPA President Phil Boyer. Again, if your Aspen installation was signed off in your aircraft logbook and tested according to the installation manual, there's no need for concern.
We will keep you informed of any new developments.
Sincerely,
John S. Uczekaj