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My 1961 PA–24–250 came with a single cylinder CHT gauge and a carburetor temperature gauge (original equipment, I believe). I’m upgrading to a mostly glass panel and have a JPI 830 (non-certified). I would like to remove the old steam gauges but I do not see a list of required equipment in my POH and am having difficulty finding a AFM (if there is one for a 1961 Piper Comanche). Anybody know if I have to keep those gauges in place to keep the aircraft certified for IFR flight?
Correction! I have a single cylinder, EGT, not CHT. I tried to edit the post, but you know how it is with old people and technology! Lol 😀
There is no minimum equipment list (MEL) for our fleet, all certified under CAR3 (category three). But if you read the early pages of the service manual it talks about provided equipment.
I could go on about certification, but the type certificate also states various requirements.
The bottom line is that CHT and EGT and a fuel gauge are required instruments. If you choose to install an engine monitor from Insight Avionics it is certified as primary. If You install a JPI unit the 900 series (930, I think) is certified as primary. Just for information, I was misled during the 1980s and 1990s by sales people at JPI telling me that the 700 series engine monitors were certified as primary, but the STC states that they are ADVISORY.
You must maintain these primary instruments UNLESS you install other approved equipment (like an engine monitor that if certified as PRIMARY) in which case you can disable or remove the original panel gauges. However, all of this has to be signed off by a knowledgeable IA. Your existing engine monitor has to be replaced with one that is primary or you keep the advisory one that you have and maintain the original gauges.
I recommend the Insight Avionics units over the JPI units because they are certified as primary and I suggest that you call Insight and discuss this. Otherwise the JPI primary unit is the 900 series and is way more expensive.
I hope that this answers your question. You can call me on (949) 362.1600 if you wish to discuss panel options.
Pat Barry
