Avionics Cockpit Accessories Instruments Technology Analysis

Digital Attitude Indicators: The End of Vacuum Gyro Systems

In a recent policy statement, the FAA gave the regulatory green light to replace traditional vacuum-driven attitude instruments with electronically driven replacement indicators. This means you can remove the vacuum system from the aircraft, since the policy doesnt require a backup spinning gyro. In many cases, you wont need a backup at all.

Larry Anglisano
Verified

In a recent policy statement, the FAA gave the regulatory green light to replace traditional vacuum-driven attitude instruments with electronically driven replacement indicators. This means you can remove the vacuum system from the aircraft, since the policy doesn’t require a backup spinning gyro. In many cases, you won’t need a backup at all.

Coincidentally, the FAA’s announcement was perfectly timed around the certification of new products, including the long-awaited Sandia SAI-340, L-3 Aviation’s ESI-500 and the soon-to-be-certified BendixKing KI-300.

Larry Anglisano

Editor in Chief Larry Anglisano has been a staple at Aviation Consumer since 1995. An active land, sea and glider pilot, Larry has over 30 years’ experience as an avionics repairman and flight test pilot. He’s the editorial director overseeing sister publications Aviation Safety magazine, IFR magazine and is a regular contributor to KITPLANES magazine with his Avionics Bootcamp column.