Sporty's is offering a $349.00 tso'd Iphone charger. Seriously!

[danielfindling]

A tso'd iphone charger for $349.00. Are you kidding me? How different is it from the "tso'd" gas station variety for $10.00? Seriously?

$349.00:

http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/stratus-powertm.html?utm_source=MarketingEmail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=A17032D&email=dannyk@lewisklein.com&utm_content=Stratus%20Power%E2%84%A2&trk_msg=UHMJSIQDSL7KHDDGD0K8KQOF2O&trk_contact=1PMHGN490J5G7OI70FPHSPMA9C&trk_sid=HDI6AQMJ4O18PRR33QMU4N7H6S&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2fwww.sportys.com%2fpilotshop% 2fstratus-powertm.html%3futm_source%3dMarketingEmail%26utm_m edium%3demail%26utm_campaign%3dA17032D%26email%3d% 3f%3fuserEmail%3f%3f%26utm_content%3dStratus+Power %E2%84%A2&utm_campaign=A17032D&utm_content=Certified+-+Stratus+Power+is+now+TSO%27d

$10.00

https://www.amazon.com/AUKEY-Charger-Output-iPhone-Samsung/dp/B00M6QODH2/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1489614304&sr=8-9&keywords=dual%20cigarette%20lighter%20iphone%20cha rger

I take pride in complying with the FAR's. Anyone have a sample 337? (I am not being serious)

An Iphone port seems a little over the top. If I plug my handheld into the lighter port am I busting a reg?

[Mike M]

..... If I plug my handheld into the lighter port am I busting a reg?


When you plug in the handheld or the USB charger, is it still portable? Of course. Is it an electronic device? Of course. How about if your portable electronic device (PED) isn't plugged in, like, oh, your Android tablet with GPS running your app showing your moving map progress across the approach plate? CFR 14 Pt 91.21 is what you might "bust". And AC91.21-1 helps you fig'r how to avoid busting more than a regulation. AC120.76 is also interesting reading (yawn) and you might find this helpful: http://fsims.faa.gov/wdocs/other/electromagnetic_compatibility_assessment_checklist %20-%2008-22-2013.pdf

And this: http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgPolicy.nsf/0/fce53346d1e3417986257bf3006b423b/$FILE/PS%20ACE-23-01-R1.pdf

Surely others have gone down this road and can fill in blanks I've left.

addendum:

https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC%2020-173.pdf

https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_120-76C.pdf

[FlyingRon]

The Sporty's thing is permanently installed in your plane so it needs to be meet some standard for an aircraft part. Plugging something into your cigar lighter doesn't need to comply.

As far as 91.21, the standard out is (b)(5), if you're not an air carrier, you as the pilot/operator can make the call as to whether it is interfering or not.
AC 120-76 only applies to air carriers and those operating part 91 subparts F (large/turbine aircraft) and K (fractional owners).

[Buster1]

I can install a TSO'd FAA cigarette lighter port for about $10. Then use a plug in USB thingy.

[martymayes]

Sportys didn't set the price, Stratus did

[Mayhemxpc]

Sportys didn't set the price, Stratus did

Quibbling. Sporty's accepted it and is marketing it.

[martymayes]

http://www.appareo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Stratus-Power-Sell-Sheet.pdf

[martymayes]

When considering the big picture, the price is not outrageous.

And no personal interest but appereo has one of the more cost effective ADS-B single box solutions.

[Kurt Flunkn]

Last year at our local IA maintenance seminar one of the FAA inspectors had a presentation that included panel photos of a part 135 plane with a bogus usb power port. The 135 operator was given the opportunity to make corrections (or get written up). So there is a market for this type of product.....and $350 is a fraction of the headache or fine.

The tso'do model from mid continent is in the same price range
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/trueblueusb11-12159.php

Either way a 337 would be required for the installation... that will run you an extra $350.:eek:

[martymayes]

At work they are installing in-seat charging plugs. The price for those would make most people fall out of their chair .

[rwanttaja]

At work they are installing in-seat charging plugs. The price for those would make most people fall out of their chair .

Then they should be mounting them on the floor. :-)

Ron Wanttaja

[TedK]

There is no requirement for TSO'd equipment in most cases for a privately used aircraft. I finally got the DC FSDO to say that in an email. I was looking at adding a second radio.

[martymayes]

There is no requirement for TSO'd equipment in most cases for a privately used aircraft. I finally got the DC FSDO to say that in an email. I was looking at adding a second radio.

A TSO is only required where the regs say a TSO is required. For example, an ELT is required to meet the applicable TSO specified in 91.207

[FlyingRon]

I don't know why it took a letter from the FSDO. The FAA has always held that TSO is neither a necessary nor sufficient condition to have a part installed.

[flyunleaded]

"How different is it from the "tso'd" gas station variety for $10.00?"

There is a huge difference.

Tso'd charger will not cause RFI and will not burn up. No such guarantee from the gas station variety. In fact most of them will cause noise in your comm radio and many of them will overheat.

However practically no chargers will tell you accurately how they will charge your device, especially if it is not an Apple device. Most of the gas station chargers lie about their capabilities.

BTW, I sell USB chargers for homebuilts and have written a book about USB charging and given a forum at AirVenture in the past. You can view the presentation on Commit Lift (http://www.commitlift.com/usbchargers.html) website.

[Mike M]

...You can view the presentation on Commit Lift (http://www.commitlift.com/usbchargers.html) website.

Thank you!