Missing STC

Baronpilot244

Baronpilot244

Killick Stoker
Hi all,

I need some help and guidance here on a technical question.

During a prebuy a few discrepanicies were found in the logbooks.

It turns out that the airplane had some avionics installed when it had about 10 hours on the airframe.
The work was done by Raytheon in Dallas, Tx - this facility has closed down.

The 337 is in the log as well as a logbook entry, but no STCs for the installed equipment. What doesn't help is that the entry doesn't list the relevant STC number.

How does one get copies of the STCs in this case?

The specific STCs I need are:

AIM 305 Attitude Gyro
General Design 5550 Turn and Slip
Bose Interface Adapter kit
Argus 7000CE moving map display
David Clark 500 intercom

I've talked to some of the manufacturers and they haven't been much help.

I've also talked to Beechcraft and they don't seem to want to do much either.

Help!!!!

Bp244
 
Was a copy of the STC submitted to the FAA with the 337?

Come to think of it, couldn't some of that stuff be installed without an STC -- a simple field approval? Maybe that is why there is no reference to the STC.

Are any of the items, like the DC intercom, TSOed? If so, does that need an STC?

I'm just spit-ballin' ideas here. I'm no expert and didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express, either.
 
A STC is VERY specific about what was removed and what was installed. You typically only see an STC for "Remove everything and install XYZ glass display system"

However most avionics upgrades are done under "field approval" which is much more flexible. Assuming all the items are TSO'd and installed by a shop with some history, then this is usually done very quickly.


BOTH methods require a 337 form to be filled out.


The work you describe was likely done under a "field approval" and therefore would not be documented as an STC.
 
Thanks - I've requested a CD from the FAA to see if any of the 337's were filed with STCs.

I also noted in the log entry that all this stuff was installed in accordance with the various installation manuals so there could well be field approvals in those.

Thanks all for the input.

Bp244
 
The first thing I would recommend is requesting the complete records on the aircraft from Aircraft Registry in Oklahoma City. You can call 866-762-9434 toll free on Monday morning and ask how to do that.

My GUESS is that the installation was done with a field approval as opposed to an STC by virtue of the absence of the STC being noted in the maintenance records.

However, if it is an STC, that could be a problem. The STCs are not recorded with the FAA, only the 337. So, if you don't have the STC, you have to go to the owner of the STC and request a copy. That can be a problem because STCs are bought and sold and even lost by the owner. I was once involved in an aircraft that had an STC modification and I found the STC owner, but he couldn't find the STC. It was a big problem because we needed to remove the STC and the mechanics said they couldn't certify that they had removed the STC if they couldn't see what the STC involved during installation.
 
Houston said:
The first thing I would recommend is requesting the complete records on the aircraft from Aircraft Registry in Oklahoma City. You can call 866-762-9434 toll free on Monday morning and ask how to do that.

My GUESS is that the installation was done with a field approval as opposed to an STC by virtue of the absence of the STC being noted in the maintenance records.

However, if it is an STC, that could be a problem. The STCs are not recorded with the FAA, only the 337. So, if you don't have the STC, you have to go to the owner of the STC and request a copy. That can be a problem because STCs are bought and sold and even lost by the owner. I was once involved in an aircraft that had an STC modification and I found the STC owner, but he couldn't find the STC. It was a big problem because we needed to remove the STC and the mechanics said they couldn't certify that they had removed the STC if they couldn't see what the STC involved during installation.
Click to expand...


I had an STC that I was trying to verify compliance on and all the paperwork was missing from the A/C records. During my research I found that another "company" had purchased the STC from the original owner. They gave me the number for the current owner but calls to them only got me "leave a message BEEEEEP" After weeks of messages I gave up. I ended up calling the gentleman who originally installed the STC and he gave me the scoop... the new "company" had been a husband and wife that split up, she won the STC as part of the divorce settlement and refuses to return calls regarding it.

Luckily he was able to send me all the installation paperwork, as he had done several dozen of them, and the airplane is good to go now.
 
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