SAE AS5604a-2012 PDF

Full title and description

SAE AS 5604A-2012 — Compass; Magnetic, Pilot's Standby. This SAE technical specification defines the design and performance requirements for procurement of 1 7/8 inch dial pilot's standby magnetic compasses intended for aircraft use. The document is issued as revision A (2012) of the original AS5604 specification and has been declared stabilized by the publisher.

Abstract

AS5604A-2012 is a procurement and performance standard for small, panel-mounted pilot standby magnetic compasses (1 7/8 inch dial). It covers dimensional, electrical (lighting), mechanical and environmental requirements, identification and test procedures required for acceptance and manufacture. The standard is published by SAE International and is marked “stabilized,” meaning it will not be subjected to routine periodic review for currency by the publisher.

General information

• Status: Stabilized (document declared stabilized by the publisher).
• Publication date: August 22, 2012 (AS5604A issued August 2012, Revision A of AS5604).
• Publisher: SAE International (Society of Automotive Engineers).
• ICS / categories: Navigation and control equipment — ICS area typically associated with magnetic compass and navigation instrument standards (e.g., 47.020.70 Navigation and control equipment).
• Edition / version: AS5604A-2012 (Revision A; revises SAE AS 5604-1999).
• Number of pages: 23 pages.

Scope

This specification covers the design requirements and all performance requirements for procurement of 1 7/8 inch dial pilot's standby magnetic compasses as specified in the document. It addresses dimensional and mounting requirements, illumination/lighting options, materials and finishes, environmental and functional test criteria, marking/identification and acceptance/test procedures required for contract procurement and manufacture. The intent is to provide a clear, repeatable set of procurement and acceptance criteria for small standby magnetic compasses used in aircraft.

Key topics and requirements

• Design and dimensional requirements for a 1 7/8 inch (nominal) dial standby magnetic compass.
• Performance criteria including accuracy, allowable deviation, damping and dynamic behavior under typical aircraft motions.
• Environmental and functional tests (temperature, vibration, shock, fluid integrity, humidity) suitable for aircraft equipment.
• Electrical/lighting requirements (illumination options, voltages and lamp/lighting provisions where applicable).
• Materials, finishes, corrosion resistance and mechanical fastening/mounting provisions appropriate for aircraft installation.
• Identification, marking, documentation and acceptance/test procedures required for procurement and quality assurance.
• Cross-references to related procurement specifications and part-numbering/NSN usage in military/defense supply chains.

Typical use and users

Primary users include aircraft OEMs, component manufacturers, MRO and avionics shops, procurement officers for civil and military fleets, and specification writers who require a repeatable procurement specification for pilot standby magnetic compasses. The standard is also referenced in parts cross-reference and NSN listings for mounted magnetic compasses used in military and government supply chains.

Related standards

Documents commonly associated or cross-referenced with AS5604A include the original AS5604 (1999) that AS5604A revises, related military and procurement specifications such as MS17983 series and legacy MIL-type references (e.g., MILC5604 listed in parts cross-reference), and regulatory TSO documents for aircraft magnetic direction instruments (example FAA TSO-C7 series / TSO-C7c for non-stabilized magnetic direction instruments). These related items are used for complementary requirements, type-approval or as alternate procurement specifications.

Keywords

magnetic compass, pilot standby compass, AS5604A-2012, SAE, 1-7/8 inch dial, aircraft compass, TSO-C7c, MS17983, navigation instruments, procurement specification

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: SAE AS5604A-2012 is an SAE technical specification titled "Compass; Magnetic, Pilot's Standby" that defines design, performance, test and procurement requirements for small (1 7/8 inch dial) pilot standby magnetic compasses used in aircraft.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers dimensional and mechanical design, performance and accuracy limits, environmental and functional test procedures, lighting/illumination provisions, marking and documentation, and acceptance criteria required for contract procurement and manufacture of the specified standby compasses.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Aircraft manufacturers, avionics and instrument suppliers, maintenance and repair organizations, procurement authorities (civil and military), and supply-chain/NSN catalogers reference the standard when specifying, buying or qualifying pilot standby magnetic compasses.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: AS5604A was published in August 2012 as Revision A and the publisher lists the document status as "stabilized." Stabilized indicates the document will not be subject to routine periodic review for currency; users are therefore responsible for verifying continued suitability for their application. The 2012 revision supersedes AS5604-1999.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: AS5604A is the revision (A) of SAE AS5604 and is associated with related compass/mounting procurement documents (for example MS17983 series and legacy MIL procurement references) and with regulatory approval documents such as FAA TSO-C7 series for magnetic direction instruments where type approval is required. It is commonly used alongside these related standards/specifications.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Magnetic compass, pilot standby, 1 7/8 inch dial, SAE AS5604A, procurement specification, environmental testing, TSO-C7c, MS17983.