Astra / Westwind Spring 2002

• Pulse Light Modifications
• RVSM Continuing Airworthiness
• 2070C01 Fuel Boost Pumps

Pulse Light Modifications

- Joe Austin

Precise Flight has developed a control box which can be hooked into the tail logo lights and will then cycle in sequence with landing and recognition lights. It is a six channel unit, model number 2401. This box can also take input from the TCAS controller. This allows the unit to operate the pulse light system when a TCAS advisory is displayed, making the aircraft more visible during the advisory.

The new control box is the same size as the original, so structural modification to the airframe is not required. Wiring changes are made using wiring prints available through Precise Flight and approved under a 337 document.

One of the benefits of the pulse light system has always been the “soft start” that it gives to the bulb when commanded to illuminate. This “soft start” function helps extend the life of the bulb. Pulse light switches may need to be added or changed to a different style on the instrument panel if the system has not already been installed in the aircraft.

For more information, contact Dennis VanStrien in BTL at 800.525.2376, or Tim Klenke in LNK at 800.228.4277.

RVSM Continuing Airworthiness

- Tim Garity

Once RVSM is installed and operating, there are 12 and 24-month recurring tests, found in Chapter 5-25-00, pages 203 and 204, that must be accomplished. These items may be difficult to locate in the Maintenance Manuals because some of the tests are in the Astra manual, and some in the SPX. Following is a list of requirements for Collins-equipped aircraft and where to find them:

1. Altimetry Systems - Test and Inspection - required every 24 months. This test requires the ADCs to be bench checked, an Air Data System Altitude Accuracy Test, and a Pitot Static Leakage Test to be accomplished. (The bench check is not needed unless the Air Data Accuracy Test does not meet the requirements.)
   • a) The Altitude Accuracy Test can be found in the SPX Maintenance Manual, 34-12-00, page 52. This test applies to altitudes between 29,000 and 41,000 feet.
   • b) The Pitot Static Leak Test can be found in the Astra Maintenance Manual, 34-11-00, page 202.
2. Flight Control Panel (FCP) Test - required every 24 months. This is a diagnostic check found in the SPX Maintenance Manual, 22-10-00 page 506.
3. Static Port Flushness Check - required every 12 months. This test ensures the flushness of the static ports, and can be found in the Astra Maintenance Manual, 34-11-05, page 603.

(Info current as of the August 1, 2001, Electronic Maintenance Manual, Rev 4.)

2070C01 Fuel Boost Pumps

- Karl Detweiler

Duncan Aviation technicians have recently discovered that the fields in the motor portion of the 2070C01 Fuel Boost Pump often have “spliced wires.” The manufacturer, Intertechnique, strictly forbids splicing wires.

If you are operating an aircraft with this type of fuel boost pumps, ask your repair facility (at your next maintenance event) to verify that there are no spliced wires on the fields of your pumps.

If you have any questions about this issue, contact Chris Gress at Duncan Aviation Component Sales at 800.228.4277 ext. 1664, fax at 402.479.4151.

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