TSO-C6e

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Effective
Aircraft Certification Service
Date: 04/24/08
Washington, D.C.

Technical Standard Order

Subject: DIRECTION INSTRUMENT, MAGNETIC (GYROSCOPICALLY
STABILIZED)

1. PURPOSE. This technical standard order (TSO) is for manufacturers of gyroscopically

stabilized magnetic direction instruments applying for a TSO authorization or letter of
design approval (LODA). In it, we (the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA) tell you
what
minimum performance standard (MPS) your gyroscopically stabilized magnetic direction
instruments must first meet for approval and identification with the applicable TSO marking.

2. APPLICABILITY. This TSO affects new applications submitted after its effective date.

a. Prior revisions to this TSO are no longer effective. Generally we will not accept
applications submitted for prior revisions of this TSO after this TSO’s effective date. However,
we may do so up to six months after this TSO’s effective date, if we know that you were
working against the earlier MPS before this change became effective.

b. Gyroscopically stabilized magnetic direction instruments approved under a previous TSO

authorization may still be manufactured under the provisions of their original approval.
c. Major design changes to gyroscopically stabilized magnetic direction instruments
approved under this TSO will require a new authorization. See Title 14 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (14 CFR) § 21.611(b).

3. REQUIREMENTS. New models of gyroscopically stabilized magnetic direction

instruments, identified and manufactured on or after the effective date of this TSO must meet
the MPS in SAE International’s Aerospace Standard (AS) 8013A, Direction Instrument,
Magnetic (Gyroscopically Stabilized), dated September 1996, except for the FAA
modification in
appendix 1.

a. Functionality. This TSO’s standards apply to equipment intended to provide magnetic

heading during flight in all possible position combinations and sequences.

b. Failure Condition Classification. Failure of the function identified in paragraph 3.a

of this TSO is a major failure condition. You must develop the system to, at least, the design
assurance level equal to this failure condition classification.
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c. Functional Qualification. Demonstrate the required performance under test conditions

in SAE AS 8013A.

d. Environmental Qualification. Test the equipment according to RTCA, Inc. document

RTCA/DO-160E, Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment,
dated December 9, 2004. Use RTCA/DO-160E instead of DO-160A as cited in SAE AS8013A.

e. Software Qualification. If the article includes a digital computer, develop the

software according to RTCA/DO-178B, Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and
Equipment Certification, dated December 1, 1992.

f. Electronic Hardware Qualification. If the article contains a complex custom micro-

coded component, develop the electronic hardware according to FAA advisory circular (AC) 20-
152, RTCA, Inc., Document RTCA/DO-254, Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne
Electronic Hardware, dated July 5, 2005.

g. Deviations. We have provisions for using alternate or equivalent means of compliance

to the criteria in the MPS of this TSO. If you invoke these provisions, you must show that your
equipment maintains an equivalent level of safety. Apply for a deviation under 14 CFR §
21.609 before submitting your data package.

4. MARKING.

a. Mark at least one major component permanently and legibly with all the information in
14 CFR § 21.607(d).

b. Mark the following permanently and legibly, with at least the manufacturer’s name,
subassembly part number, and the TSO number:

(1) Each component that is easily removable (without hand tools);

(2) Each interchangeable element; and

(3) Each subassembly of the article that you determined may be interchangeable.

c. If the component includes a digital computer then the part number must include
hardware and software identification. Or, you can use a separate part number for hardware and
software. Either way, you must include a means to show the modification status.

NOTE: Similar software versions, approved to different

software levels, must be differentiated by part number.

d. If applicable, identify deviations granted to the article by marking “Deviation. See

installation/instruction manual (IM)” after the TSO number. You can abbreviate the marking to
“Dev. See IM.”

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5. APPLICATION DATA REQUIREMENTS. As a TSO manufacturer-applicant, you must

give the FAA aircraft certification office (ACO) manager responsible for your facilities a
statement of conformance, as specified in 14 CFR § 21.605(a)(1) and one copy each of the
following technical data to support our design and production approval. (Under 14 CFR §
21.617(a)(2), LODA applicants submit the same data through their civil aviation
authority:)
a. Operating instructions and equipment limitations in an IM, sufficient to describe the
equipment’s operational capability. Describe any deviations in detail. If needed, identify
equipment by part number, version, revision, and criticality level of software, classification
for use, and environmental categories.
b. Preliminary installation procedures and installation limitations in an IM, sufficient to
ensure that the gyroscopically stabilized magnetic direction instruments when installed according
to installation procedures. Final installations procedures and limitations would be part of the
installation approval and the installation should meet the intended airworthiness requirements for
the specific aircraft. Finally, the limitations must include a note with the following statement:

The conditions and tests required for TSO approval of this article are
minimum performance standards. Those installing this article, on or in
a specific type or class of aircraft, must determine that the aircraft
installation conditions are within the TSO standards. TSO articles
must have separate approval for installation in an aircraft. The
article may be installed only in accordance with the applicable
airworthiness requirements and, if applicable, the requirements of 14
CFR part 43.

c. Schematic drawings of the installation procedures.

d. Wiring diagrams of the installation procedures.

e. List of components, by part number, that make up the gyroscopically stabilized direction
magnetic instruments complying with the standards in this TSO. Include vendor part number
cross-references, when applicable.

f. A component maintenance manual (CMM) covering periodic maintenance, calibration,

and repair, for the continued airworthiness of installed gyroscopically stabilized direction
magnetic instruments. Include recommended inspection intervals and service life.

g. Material and process specifications list.

h. The quality control system description (QCS) required by 14 CFR §§ 21.143 and
21.605(a)(3), including functional test specifications. The QCS tests each production article to
ensure compliance with this TSO. (Not required for LODA applicants.)

i. Manufacturer’s TSO qualification test report.

j. Nameplate drawing with the information required by paragraph 4 of this TSO.

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k. List of drawings and processes (including revision level), to define the

article’sdesign. For a minor change, you only need to make the revision to the list available
on request.

l. An environmental qualifications form as described in RTCA/DO-160E for

each component of the system.

m. If the article includes a digital computer: a plan for software aspects of certification
(PSAC), software configuration index, and software accomplishment summary. We recommend
that you submit the PSAC early in the software development process. Early submittal allows us
to quickly resolve issues, such as partitioning and determining software levels.

n. If the article includes a complex custom micro-coded component: a plan for

hardware aspects of certification (PHAC), hardware verification plan, top-level drawing, and
hardware accomplishment summary. We recommend that you submit the PHAC early in the
software development process. Early submittal allows us to quickly resolve issues.

6. MANUFACTURER DATA REQUIREMENTS. Besides the data given directly to us,

have the following technical data available for review by the responsible ACO or civil
aviation authority:

a. The functional qualification specifications for qualifying each production article to ensure
compliance with this TSO.

b. Equipment calibration procedures.

c. Corrective maintenance procedures within 12 months after TSO authorization.

d. Schematic drawings.

e. Wiring diagrams.

f. Material and process specifications.

g. The results of the environmental qualification tests conducted per RTCA/DO-160E.

h. If the article includes a digital computer, the appropriate documentation defined in

RTCA/DO-178B including all data supporting the applicable objectives in Annex A, Process
Objectives and Outputs by Software Level.

i. If the article contains a complex micro-coded component, the appropriate hardware

life cycle data in combination with design assurance level, as defined in AC 20-152.

7. FURNISHED DATA REQUIREMENTS. If giving one or more articles to one entity (an
operator or repair station), provide the following for each article manufactured under this
TSO:

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a. One copy of the data in paragraphs 5.a through 5.f of this TSO. Add any other data
needed for the proper installation, certification, and use, or for continued airworthiness, or both,
of gyroscopically stabilized magnetic direction instruments.

b. One copy of the data in paragraphs 5.k through 5.n, if the appliance performs
functions beyond those described in paragraph 3.a of this TSO.

8. HOW TO GET REFERENCED DOCUMENTS.

a. Order SAE documents from SAE International, 400 Commonwealth Drive,

Warrendale, PA 15096-0001. Telephone (724) 776-4970, fax (724) 776-0790. You can also
order copies
online at: www.sae.org.

b. Order RTCA documents from RTCA Inc., 1828 L street NW, Suite 805, Washington,
DC 20036-4001. Telephone (202) 833-9339, fax (202) 833-9434. You can also order copies
online at: http://www.rtca.org/.

c. Order copies of 14 CFR parts from the Superintendent of Documents, Government

Printing Office, P.O. Box 37154, Pittsburgh PA 15250-7954. Telephone (202) 512-1800,
fax (202) 512-2250. You can also order copies from the Government Printing Office,
electronic CFR Internet website at www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr. Select “Title 14, Aeronautics
and Space.”

d. You can find a current list of technical standard orders on the FAA Internet website
Regulatory and Guidance Library at www.airweb.faa.gov/rgl. You will also find the TSO
Index of Articles at the same site.

e. You can find a current list of technical standard orders and advisory circulars on the
FAA Internet website Regulatory and Guidance Library at http://rgl.faa.gov. You will also find
the TSO Indexof Articles at the same site.

David W. Hempe
Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division
Aircraft Certification Service

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APPENDIX 1. FAA MODIFICATION TO MPS FOR DIRECTION INSTRUMENT,

MAGNETIC (GYROSCOPICALLY STABILIZED)

The FAA modification to AS8013A section 3.4 is as follows:

SAE AS8013A reference: Replace with:

Section 3.4:
Except for small parts (such as knobs, Except for small parts (knobs, fasteners, seals,
fasteners, seals, grommets, and small grommets, and small electrical parts) that don’t
electrical parts) that would not contribute contribute significantly to the propagation of a
significantly to the propagation of a fire, fire, all materials must be self-extinguishing
all materials must be self-extinguishing when tested according to 14 CFR §
when 25.869(a)(4). See further to Appendix F, Part I
tested in accordance with the requirements of (b)(2), Specimen configuration, for current
Federal Aviation Regulation 25.1359 (d) and requirements.
Appendix F thereto, with paragraph (b) of
Appendix F or may be configured as used.

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