Stache
Pre-takeoff checklist
Recently the compass rose has come up office conversation and who, when, how, and what type of compass survey should be accomplished. I can assure everyone reading this not all airports have their surveyed compass rose (calibrated). Many airports have compass roses that may not be accurate due to underground pipes or other metal objects that will affect the accuracy of the survey.
The FAA has published a document FAA No. 405, Standards for Aeronautical Surveys and Related Products that explains why and how a compass rose should be surveyed.
Next who can perform the compass swing (calibration) to your onboard compass installed in your aircraft? Only a Repair station with the proper ratings with the proper training, current manuals available, and proper tooling. This is where it may get sticky for some. FAR 65 Subpart D for Mechanics does NOT allow Airframe rated mechanic to swing (calibrate) compasses. Only a repair station with the proper rating can perform this task. FAR 65.81(a) excluded airframe mechanics form performing maintenance, major repairs to, and major alterations of, propellers, and any repair to, or alterations of instruments. The compass is considered an instrument. FAR 1.1 under maintenance explains calibrations are considered a repair. So this just leaves repair stations to adjust/swing your compass.
Needless to say a pilot cannot perform this task as it is not considered preventive maintenance.
AC 43.13-1B does explain how to perform a compass swing and is acceptable data however the compass rose has to be surveyed to make it legal. The repair station will make an airframe record entry stated what data the followed such as AC 43.13-1B, chapter 1, section 3. FAR 23.1327 explain the installed compass has to be accurate and all compasses are classified as instruments.
Bottom line is the compass rose has to be surveyed (check with your local airport) and a repair station has to perform the compass swing.
Stache
The FAA has published a document FAA No. 405, Standards for Aeronautical Surveys and Related Products that explains why and how a compass rose should be surveyed.
Next who can perform the compass swing (calibration) to your onboard compass installed in your aircraft? Only a Repair station with the proper ratings with the proper training, current manuals available, and proper tooling. This is where it may get sticky for some. FAR 65 Subpart D for Mechanics does NOT allow Airframe rated mechanic to swing (calibrate) compasses. Only a repair station with the proper rating can perform this task. FAR 65.81(a) excluded airframe mechanics form performing maintenance, major repairs to, and major alterations of, propellers, and any repair to, or alterations of instruments. The compass is considered an instrument. FAR 1.1 under maintenance explains calibrations are considered a repair. So this just leaves repair stations to adjust/swing your compass.
Needless to say a pilot cannot perform this task as it is not considered preventive maintenance.
AC 43.13-1B does explain how to perform a compass swing and is acceptable data however the compass rose has to be surveyed to make it legal. The repair station will make an airframe record entry stated what data the followed such as AC 43.13-1B, chapter 1, section 3. FAR 23.1327 explain the installed compass has to be accurate and all compasses are classified as instruments.
Bottom line is the compass rose has to be surveyed (check with your local airport) and a repair station has to perform the compass swing.
Stache