Compass swinging?

I've got AC 43.13-1B, which describes the procedure to swing a compass.
What I can't find is the bureaucratic stuff -- who can do it (any pilot?),
and what paperwork follow-up is required (airframe logbook entry, or is
just making the new compass card sufficient?).

This is probably something best left to someone with experience to avoid the
frustration of making interacting adjustments until you get it right. I had
the avionics tech do it for me at my last annual. He used test tools to
generate a magnetic field instead of actually taking the plane out onto a
compass rose on the ramp. The guy did a superb job.

--
Best Regards,
Mike

http://photoshow.comcast.net/mikenoel

"Roy Smith" wrote in message
...
I've got AC 43.13-1B, which describes the procedure to swing a compass.
What I can't find is the bureaucratic stuff -- who can do it (any pilot?),
and what paperwork follow-up is required (airframe logbook entry, or is
just making the new compass card sufficient?).

Roy Smith wrote:
I've got AC 43.13-1B, which describes the procedure to swing a compass.
What I can't find is the bureaucratic stuff -- who can do it (any pilot?),
and what paperwork follow-up is required (airframe logbook entry, or is
just making the new compass card sufficient?).

I swung my own several years ago and made a new card. An A&P has to
sign it off.

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 22:46:44 -0700, Newps
wrote:



Roy Smith wrote:
I've got AC 43.13-1B, which describes the procedure to swing a compass.
What I can't find is the bureaucratic stuff -- who can do it (any pilot?),
and what paperwork follow-up is required (airframe logbook entry, or is
just making the new compass card sufficient?).

I swung my own several years ago and made a new card. An A&P has to
sign it off.


I also swung my own (and a few friends). Our radio guy did the sign
off. Not to split hairs, but only an airframe license is required for
this one as far as I know. (He says putting on his flame proof
blazer).

HTH.
z

In article ,
Roy Smith wrote:

I've got AC 43.13-1B, which describes the procedure to swing a compass.
What I can't find is the bureaucratic stuff -- who can do it (any pilot?),
and what paperwork follow-up is required (airframe logbook entry, or is
just making the new compass card sufficient?).

If it isn't listed as one of the tasks us pilots can do, then you need the A&P
sign-off.

--
Bob Noel
Looking for a sig the
lawyers will hate

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 22:00:24 -0700, "Mike Noel"
wrote:

This is probably something best left to someone with experience to avoid the
frustration of making interacting adjustments until you get it right. I had
the avionics tech do it for me at my last annual. He used test tools to
generate a magnetic field instead of actually taking the plane out onto a
compass rose on the ramp. The guy did a superb job.


I have never heard of that method being used, but in principle, I don't like
it! It is always best to calibrate something under the same conditions in
which it will be used. Simulating the earth's magnetic field is just adding
one more approximation to the calibration.

First: Just how did your avionics tech align the generated field with the
airplanes longitudinal axis? How accurately? How could you tell?

Second: How did the tech adjust the generated field to be the same strength
as the earth's magnetic field? It would have to be, or the compass
ajustments will not be correct.

Third: How did your tech eliminate the earth's magnetic field from
influencing the compass during the swinging? Seems your compass was
compensated in the presence of two magnetic fields -- one of which won't be
there when you are flying.

I'm more than a little suspicious about the technique.

Can't give a helpful answer. I just know how he told me he did it and that
the results were excellent.

--
Best Regards,
Mike

http://photoshow.comcast.net/mikenoel

"Jay Somerset " wrote in message
...
On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 22:00:24 -0700, "Mike Noel"
wrote:

This is probably something best left to someone with experience to avoid
the
frustration of making interacting adjustments until you get it right. I
had
the avionics tech do it for me at my last annual. He used test tools to
generate a magnetic field instead of actually taking the plane out onto a
compass rose on the ramp. The guy did a superb job.


I have never heard of that method being used, but in principle, I don't
like
it! It is always best to calibrate something under the same conditions in
which it will be used. Simulating the earth's magnetic field is just
adding
one more approximation to the calibration.

First: Just how did your avionics tech align the generated field with the
airplanes longitudinal axis? How accurately? How could you tell?

Second: How did the tech adjust the generated field to be the same
strength
as the earth's magnetic field? It would have to be, or the compass
ajustments will not be correct.

Third: How did your tech eliminate the earth's magnetic field from
influencing the compass during the swinging? Seems your compass was
compensated in the presence of two magnetic fields -- one of which won't
be
there when you are flying.

I'm more than a little suspicious about the technique.

ps Check out:

http://www.firstmarkaerospace.com/standbycompass.asp

--
Best Regards,
Mike

http://photoshow.comcast.net/mikenoel

"Mike Noel" wrote in message
. ..
This is probably something best left to someone with experience to avoid
the frustration of making interacting adjustments until you get it right.
I had the avionics tech do it for me at my last annual. He used test
tools to generate a magnetic field instead of actually taking the plane
out onto a compass rose on the ramp. The guy did a superb job.

--
Best Regards,
Mike

http://photoshow.comcast.net/mikenoel

"Roy Smith" wrote in message
...
I've got AC 43.13-1B, which describes the procedure to swing a compass.
What I can't find is the bureaucratic stuff -- who can do it (any
pilot?),
and what paperwork follow-up is required (airframe logbook entry, or is
just making the new compass card sufficient?).

C'mon Roy, you've been around airplanes long enough to know the real
answer -- "Why that compass card has been in the airplane since I bought
it."

Now, if the FAA really wanted to get snotty, they'd go to Part 43, appendix
A, section (b)(4)(i) and ask to see the major repair signoff for the
"calibration of ... instruments", which is what a compass swing is.

Jim




"Roy Smith" wrote in message
...
I've got AC 43.13-1B, which describes the procedure to swing a compass.
What I can't find is the bureaucratic stuff -- who can do it (any pilot?),
and what paperwork follow-up is required (airframe logbook entry, or is
just making the new compass card sufficient?).

"Mike Noel" wrote in message
. ..
ps Check out:

http://www.firstmarkaerospace.com/standbycompass.asp


Also, this thing is much less prone to errors:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...rd_compass.php
and http://www.pai700.com/index.html