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Used Avionics / Yellow Tags

zemon

Member
Hello,

I'm shopping for ways to balance what I want with what I need. (Why do I always have to do that??? :confused:) Some used radios come to mind, for instance a used KT76A transponder from eBay is $1,000 less expensive than a new GTX-327.

What I want to know is: Do I need the "yellow tag" if the radio will be installed in an experimental airplane? I plan on using the plane for IFR, in case that makes a difference.

Thanks,
-- Art Z.
 
Actually a yellow tag doesn't mean much even to the certified world. All it means is that it passed at the time it was tested. 10 minutes later, it may not pass.
 
FAA Form 8130-3

In partial answer to my own question, I just ran across this in an eBay listing:

**Yellow Tag vs. FAA 8130-3?



Avionics Masters is an FAA Certified Repair Station and Supplies all serviceable or Overhauled avionics with an FAA authorized Maintenance Release form 8130-3

Does a yellow tag satisfy the requirements of a maintenance release?

You must first understand that there's no legal definition of a yellow tag. Regardless of the fact that there are logbooks out there that are full of them, the term "yellow tag" isn't mentioned anywhere in FAR Part 43.

Yellow tags were first used by the Army Air Corps back in the early days of World War II. No reason was given why the color yellow was picked to indicate a serviceable component. Most of us would have picked the color green for serviceable and yellow for repairable ? not the other way around.

I suspect, based on my own military experience, that the decision to use yellow for serviceable parts was probably made by an Army supply clerk who ordered a million yellow tags by mistake and had to find a use for them or be shipped to a combat area.

Regardless, after the war, the airlines stayed with the military tradition of using yellow tags as a serviceable item. Following their lead, the rest of general aviation bought in ? and yellow tags became part of aviation terminology and culture.

The only FAA approved maintenance release under FAR Part 43, Appendix B is The FAA form 8130-3 a yellow tag does not provide any of the requirements for the return to service for avionics components. It?s all a myth and few yellow tags provide the information required by the FAA. And many yellow tags are placed on components removed from aircraft by A&P?s without the inspection required by the regulations, it is not satisfactory to turn the component on before removing it and then yellow tag the component as approved for return to service. The component must be tested and inspected according to the manufacturers specifications which cannot be performed any where else than in an FAA approved repair facility.​

So I learned something today! Cool :eek:

But the question now becomes: Do I need an FAA 8130-3?

-- Art Z.
 
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