Electroair has received an STC and FAA-PMA for the EA-13000 Ignition Switch Panel. The switch panel comes in two orientations, horizontal and vertical.
The EA-13000 ignition switch is approved to replace the outdated and venerable rotary key-switch, company officials explained.
Electroair’s Mike Kobylik notes that by making this change, a couple of few things are accomplished:
- The AD that accompanies most rotary key-switches is eliminated;
- The problem of faulty contacts inside of the key-switch that can cause a delay in the EIS from coming back on, is eliminated; and
- Because the operation of the ignition systems (both the magneto and EIS) are returned back to the traditional way aircraft engines are supposed to be operated, pilot operation and aircraft safety are improved.
The switch panel does require that if the magneto left is not a starting magneto, the switch for the mag be left in the OFF position for starting.
All of this is explained in the Airplane Flight Manual Supplement (AFMS) that accompanies the Switch Panel.
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As easy as it may be to cut the p leads to short start the engine, at least a key switch buys SOME time.
Given 2 airplanes sitting on the ramp next to each other, if one has a key arrangement and the other has a rocker switch arrangement with no theft protection, guess which airplane the thief will pick first?
Just like any other setup Mike. Turn one off then back on, turn the other off then back on. I have the same setup described by Jim.
Even though the old standard key switches are not that hard to get around, how does this unit provide security from the plane being stolen as it has no key?
Having a key switch just slows down a thief. It’s easy to cut the 2 P-leads and short the ‘start’ contacts and fly away with the airplane.!!
This panel can be replicated with 2 -$7 rocker switches and a $6 pushbutton switch….’certified’ parts are absurdly expensive.
I’ve been scratching my brain, but haven’t come up with an answer yet. How does one do a mag check during run-up and post-flight check?