AC 43.13-1B

Historical

Advisory circular · Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices—Aircraft Inspection and Repair

A newer version is currentThis is a historical version. AC 43.13-1B CHG 1 Ed Update is the version in force, approved September 27, 2001.
Approved
September 8, 1998
Last reviewed
June 11, 2024
Cancelled by
AC43.13-1B CHG 1
Family
AC 43.13-1 · 7 versions
Revision
B
14 CFR parts
43, 65, 145, 21, 105, 23, 91, 121, 25
Cited by
95 ADs

Guidance, not mandatory unless a rule or AD requires it. DRS record last changed November 21, 2025.

Show pages 44–55

Contents (continued) Paragraph Page

Page lvi SECTION 13. SPLICING.

11-167GENERAL

.11-65

FIGURE 11- 18.......................STAGGERED SPLICES IN WIRE BUNDLE 11-65

11-168.11-173. [RESERVED.]11-65

SECTION 14. TERMINAL REPAIRS

11-174GENERAL

.11-67

11-175..............................................................ATTACHMENT OF TERMINALS TO STUDS

.11-68

11-176.........................................................................................STUDS AND INSULATORS

.11-68

11-177................................................................ WIRE TERMINALS AND BINDING POSTS

.11-69

11-178............................................................ CRIMP ON TERMINAL LUGS AND SPLICES

.11-69

11-179............................................. LOCK WASHERS FOR TERMINALS ON EQUIPMENT

.11-70

11-180.11-184. [RESERVED.]11-70

SECTION 15. GROUNDING AND BONDING

11-185GENERAL

.11-71

11-186GROUNDING

.11-71

11-187BONDING

.11-73

11-188..............................................................................................BONDING INSPECTION

.11-73

FIGURE 11- 19.................................................... MILLIVOLT DROP TEST 11-74

11-189........................................................................BONDING JUMPER INSTALLATIONS

.11-75

TABLE 11-14...STUD BONDING OR GROUNDING TO FLAT SURFACE 11-76 TABLE 11-15.PLATE NUT BONDING OR GROUNDING TO FLAT SURFACE 11-77 TABLE 11-16.BOLT AND NUT BONDING OR GROUNDING TO FLAT SURFACE 11-78 FIGURE 11-20.COPPER JUMPER CONNECTOR TO TUBULAR STRUCTURE 11-79 FIGURE 11-21. ............................BONDING CONDUIT TO STRUCTURE 11-79 FIGURE 11-22.ALUMINUM JUMPER CONNECTION TO TUBULAR STRUCTURE 11-79

11-190.............................................................................................. CREEPAGE DISTANCE

.11-75

11-191.......................................................................................................... FUEL SYSTEMS

.11-80

11-192........................................................... ELECTRIC SHOCK PREVENTION BONDING

.11-80

Contents (continued) Paragraph Page

Page lvii

11-193...................................................................... LIGHTNING PROTECTION BONDING

.11-80

11-194................. LIGHTNING PROTECTION FOR ANTENNAS AND AIR DATA PROBES

.11-81

11-195................................................................................. STATIC-DISCHARGE DEVICES

.11-81

11-196CLEANING

.11-81

11-197............................................................................................ HARDWARE ASSEMBLY

.11-81

11-198.11-204. [RESERVED.]11-81

SECTION 16. WIRE MARKING

11-205GENERAL

.11-83

11-206.............................................................................................. WIRE IDENTIFICATION

.11-83

11-207.IDENTIFICATION AND INFORMATION RELATED TO THE WIRE AND WIRING

DIAGRAMS11-83

11-208....................................................... PLACEMENT OF IDENTIFICATION MARKINGS

.11-83

FIGURE 11-23.SPACING OF PRINTED IDENTIFICATION MARKS (DIRECT MARKING) 11-84 FIGURE 11-24.SPACING OF PRINTED IDENTIFICATION MARKS (INDIRECT MARKING) 11-84

11-209.....................................................................................TYPES OF WIRE MARKINGS

.11-83

11-210...............................................................................................HOT STAMP MARKING

.11-84

Contents (continued) Paragraph Page

Page lviii

11-211............................................................................................. DOT MATRIX MARKING

.11-85

11-212...................................................................................................... INK JET MARKING

.11-85

11-213........................................................................................................LASER MARKING

.11-85

11-214....................................................................................... IDENTIFICATION SLEEVES

.11-85

11-215.............................................................................................. IDENTIFICATION TAPE

.11-86

11-216.........................................................................................OPERATING CONDITIONS

.11-86

11-217................................................................... INSTALLATION OF PRINTED SLEEVES

.11-86

TABLE 11-17. RECOMMENDED SIZE OF IDENTIFICATION SLEEVING 11-86

11-218...................................... IDENTIFICATION OF WIRE BUNDLES AND HARNESSES

.11-86

FIGURE 11-25.IDENTIFICATION OF WIRE BUNDLES AND HARNESSES 11-86

11-219...............................................................TERMINAL MARKING SLEEVE AND TAGS

.11-87

FIGURE 11- 26.........................................STANDARD SLEEVES (135 °C) 11-87 FIGURE 11-27.INSTALLATION OF HEAT-SHRINKABLE INSULATION SLEEVES 11-87

11-220....................................................... SLEEVES AND CABLE MARKERS SELECTION

.11-87

FIGURE 11-28..............................................................CABLE MARKERS 11-88 FIGURE 11- 29.................................. TIE-DOWN STRAP INSTALLATION 11-88 TABLE 11-18...............SELECTION TABLE FOR STANDARD SLEEVES 11-88 TABLE 11-19...............SELECTION TABLE FOR THIN-WALL SLEEVES 11-88 TABLE 11-20.SELECTION TABL E FOR HIGH-TEMPERATURE SLEEVES 11-89 TABLE 11-21..................... SEL ECTION TABLE FOR CABLE MARKERS 11-89 TABLE 11-22.PLASTIC TIE-DOWN STRAPS (MS3367, TYPE I, CLASS 1) 11-89 FIGURE 11-30. .......................TIE-DOWN STRAP INSTALLATION TOOL 11-89 FIGURE 11-31. .......................................... COMPLETED INSTALLATION 11-90

11-221.....................................TEMPORARY WIRE AND CABLE MARKING PROCEDURE

.11-90

FIGURE 11-32.............TE MPORARY WIRE IDENTIFICATION MARKER 11-90

11-222. MARKER SLEEVE INSTALLA TION AFTER PRINTING11-90

FIGURE 11- 33.................................... INSERTING WIRE INTO MARKER 11-90

Contents (continued) Paragraph Page

Page lix FIGURE 11-34. ...................................... SHRINKING MARKER ON WIRE 11-90

11-223.11-229. [RESERVED.]11-90

SECTION 17. CONNECTORS

11-230GENERAL

.11-91

11-231SELECTION

.11-91

11-232.........................................................................................TYPES OF CONNECTORS

.11-91

FIGURE 11- 35.........................CONNECTOR INFORMATION EXAMPLE 11-92 FIGURE 11- 36...........................DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONNECTORS 11-93 FIGURE 11- 37...........................................COAX CABLE CONNECTORS 11-94

11-233.......................................................................... VOLTAGE AND CURRENT RATING

.11-96

11-234....................................................................SPARE CONTACTS (FUTURE WIRING)

.11-97

11-235INSTALLATION

.11-97

11-236.................................................FEED-THROUGH BULKHEAD WIRE PROTECTION

.11-98

11-237........................................................................... SPECIAL PURPOSE CONNECTOR

.11-98

11-238.............................................................................................POTTING COMPOUNDS

.11-98

11-239...........................................................................................POTTING CONNECTORS

.11-98

.......................................... FIGURE 11-38. SPARE WIRES FOR POTTING CONNECTOR

.11-99

11-240...................................................................................................... THROUGH BOLTS

.11-99

11-241.11-247. [RESERVED.]11-99

Contents (continued) Paragraph Page

Page lx SECTION 18. CONDUITS

11-248GENERAL

.11-101

11-249...................................................................................................... SIZE OF CONDUIT

.11-101

11-250....................................................................................................CONDUIT FITTINGS

.11-101

11-251.......................................................................................... CONDUIT INSTALLATION

.11-101

11-252.......................................................................................................... RIGID CONDUIT

.11-101

TABLE 11-23..................................... BEND RADII FOR RIGID CONDUIT 11-101

11-253...................................................................................................FLEXIBLE CONDUIT

.11-102

TABLE 11-24.MINIMUM BENDING RADII FOR FLEXIBLE ALUMINUM OR

BRASS CONDUIT11-102

11-254.11-259. [RESERVED.]11-102

SECTION 19. PROTECTION OF UNUSED CONNECTORS

11-260GENERAL

.11-103

11-261..................................................................................... QUICK REFERENCE CHART

.11-103

TABLE 11-25.......... CONTACT CAVI TY SEALING-QUICK REFERENCE 11-104

11-262.................................................................UNPRESSURIZED AREA CONNECTORS

.11-103

FIGURE 11-39. .............................................STUB WIRE INSTALLATION 11-104 TABLE 11-26. .............................................SEALING ROD DIMENSIONS 11-104

11-263...............................................................................................PRESSURIZED AREAS

.11-103

FIGURE 11-40.SEALING UNUSED CO NTACT CAVITIES-UNPRESSURIZED

AREAS-(CUT-AWAY VIEW)11-104

11-264.11-270. [RESERVED.]11-104

SECTION 20. ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS

11-271GENERAL

.11-105

11-272SYMBOLS

.11-105

Table 11-27. Electronic/ Electrical Symbols................................................................................... 1 1-105

11-273.11-283. [RESERVED.]11-118

Chapter 12. Aircraft Avionics Systems SECTION 1. AVIONICS EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

12-1GENERAL

.12-1

12-2. Handling of Components12-1

12-3.12-7. [RESERVED.]12-1

SECTION 2. GROUND OPERATIONAL CHECKS FOR AVIONICS EQUIPMENT (ELECTRICAL)

Contents (continued) Paragraph Page

Page lxi

12-8GENERAL

.12-3

12-9........................................................................... INSPECTION OF AVIONICS SYSTEM

.12-3

12-10......................................................................................COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

.12-5

Par 1-1 Page 1-62

12-11...................................................................VHF OMNI-DIRECTIONAL RANGE (VOR)

.12-5

12-12............................................................DISTANCE MEASURING EQUIPMENT (DME)

.12-5

12-13....................................................................AUTOMATIC DIRECTION FINDER (ADF)

.12-5

12-14................................................................... INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEMS (ILS)

.12-6

12-15........................................................................................................MARKER BEACON

.12-6

12-16........................................................................LONG RANGE NAVIGATION (LORAN)

.12-6

12-17...................................................................... GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (Gps)

.12-7

12-18.................................................................................................AUTOPILOT SYSTEMS

.12-7

12-19ALTIMETERS

.12-7

12-20TRANSPONDERS

.12-7

12-21.........................................................EMERGENCY LOCATOR TRANSMITTERS (Elt)

.12-8

12-22...................................................................................................... INSPECTION OF Elt

.12-8

12-23..........................................................................................FLIGHT DATA RECORDER

.12-9

12-24..........................................................................COCKPIT VOICE RECORDERS (Cvr)

.12-10

12-25........................................................................................................WEATHER RADAR

.12-10

12-26...............................................................................................RADOME INSPECTION.

.12-10

12-27..................................................................................................................... DATA BUS

.12-11

12-28.12-36. [RESERVED.]12-11

SECTION 3. GROUND OPERATIONAL CHECKS FOR AVIONICS EQUIPMENT (NON ELECTRICAL)

12-37..........................................................................................COMPASS CHECK SWING

.12-13

12-38.................................................................................................... PNEUMATIC GYROS

.12-14

FIGURE 12-1.VENTURI SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING AIRFLOW THROUGH GYRO INSTRUMENTS 12-15 FIGURE 12-2.INSTRUMENT VACUUM SYSTEM USING A WET-TYPE VACUUM PUMP 12-16 FIGURE 12-3.INSTRUMENT VACUUM SYSTEM USING A DRY-TYPE AIR PUMP 12-17 FIGURE 12-4.INSTRUMENT PRESSURE SYSTEM USING A DRY-TYPE AIR PUMP 12-17

12-39.12-50. [RESERVED.]12-17

Section 4. Avionics Test Equipment

12-51GENERAL

.12-19

12-52.......................................................TEST EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION STANDARDS

.12-19

Par 1-1 Page 1-63

12-53.............................................................................. TEST EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION

.12-19

12-54.12-64. [RESERVED.]12-19

Appendix 1. Glossary. (10 pages)

Appendix 2................................................... Acronyms and ABBREVIATIONS (4 pages)

APPENDIX 3.......................METRIC-BASED PREFIXES AND POWERS OF 10 (1 PAGE)

Par 1-1 Page 1-64 CHAPTER 1. WOOD STRUCTURE

SECTION 1. MATERIALS AND PRACTICES

GENERAL. Wood aircraft construction dates back to the early days of certificated aircraft.

Today only a limited number of wood aircraft structures are produced. However, many of the older airframes remain in service. With proper care, airframes from the 1930’s through the 1950’s have held up remarkably well considering the state of technology and long term experience available at that time. It is the responsibility of the mechanic to carefully inspect such structures for deterioration and continuing airworthiness.

WOODS.

Quality of Wood. All wood and plywood used in the repair of aircraft structures should be of aircraft quality (reference Army Navy Commerce Department Bulletin ANC-19, Wood Aircraft Inspection and Fabrication).

Table 1-1 lists some permissible variations in characteristics and properties of aircraft wood.

However, selection and approval of woodstock for aircraft structural use are specialized skills and should be done by personnel who are thoroughly familiar with inspection criteria and methods.

Substitution of Original Wood. The wood species used to repair a part should be the same as that of the original whenever possible; however, some permissible substitutes are given in table 1-1. Obtain approval from the airframe manufacturer or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for th e replacement of modified woods or other nonwood products with a substitute material.

Effects of Shrinkage. When the moisture content of a wooden part is lowered, the part shrinks. Since the shrinkage is not equal in all directions, the mechanic should consider the effect that the repair may have on the completed structure. Th e shrinkage is greatest in a tangential direction (across the fibers and parallel to the growth rings), somewhat less in a radial direction (across the fibers and perpendicular to the growth rings), and is negligible in a longitudinal direction (parallel to the fibers). Figure 1-1 illustrates the different grain directions and the effects of shrinkage on the shape of a part. These dimensional changes can have several detrimental effects upon a wood structure, such as loosening of

FIGURE 1-1. Relative shrinkage of wood members due to drying.

Par 1-2 Page 1-65 TABLE 1-1. Selection and Properties of Aircraft Wood. (See notes following table.)

Species of Wood

Strength properties as compared to spruce Maximum permissible grain deviation (slope of grain)

Remarks

1. 2. 3. 4.

Spruce(Picea) Sitka (P.

Sitchensis) Red (P. Rubra) White (P. Glauca).

100%

1:15 Excellent for all uses. Considered as standard for this table.

Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga Taxifolia).

Exceeds spruce.

1:15 May be used as substitute for spruce in same sizes or in slightly reduced size s providing reductions are substantiated. Difficult to work with handtools.

Some tendency to split and splinter during fabrication and considerable more care in manufacture is necessary. Large solid pieces should be avoided due to ins pection difficulties.

Gluing satisfactory.

Noble Fir (Abies Nobiles).

Slightly exceeds spruce except 8% deficient in shear.

1:15 Satisfactory characteri stics with respect to workability, warping, and splitting. May be used as direct substitute for spruce in same sizes providing shear does not become critical. Hardness somewhat less than spruce. Gluing satisfactory.

Western Hemlock (Tsuga Heterpphylla).

Slightly exceeds spruce.

1:15 Less uniform in texture than spruce. May be used as direct substitute for spruce. Upland growth superior to lowland growth. Gluing satisfactory.

Pine, Northern White (Pinus Strobus).

Properties between 85 % and 96 % those of spruce.

1:15 Excellent working qualities and uniform in properties, but somewhat low in hardness and shock-resisting capacity. Cannot be used as substitute for spruce without increase in sizes to compensate for lesser strength. Gluing satisfactory.

White Cedar, Port Orford (Charaecyparis Lawsoniana).

Exceeds spruce.

1:15 May be used as substitute for spruce in same sizes or in slightly reduced size s providing reductions are substantiated. Easy to work with handtools. Gluing difficult, but satisfactory joints can be obtained if suitable precautions are taken.

Poplar, Yellow (Liriodendrow Tulipifera).

Slightly less than spruce except in compression (crushing) and shear.

1:15 Excellent working qualities. Should not be used as a direct substitute for spruce without carefully accounting for slightly r educed strength properties.

Somewhat low in shock-resisting capacity. Gluing satisfactory.

Notes for Table 1-1

1. Defects Permitted.

a. Cross grain. Spiral grain, diagonal grain, or a combination of the two is acceptable providing the grain does not diverge from the longitudinal axis of the material more than specified in co lumn 3. A check of all four faces of the board is necessary to determine the amount of divergence. The direction of fr ee-flowing ink will frequently assist in determining grain direction.

b. Wavy, curly, and interlocked grain. Acceptable, if local irregularities do not exceed limitations specified for spiral and diagonal grain.

c. Hard knots. Sound, hard knots up to 3/8 inch in maximum diam eter are acceptable providing: (1) they are not projecting portions of I-beams, along the edges of rectangular or bevel ed unrouted beams, or along the edges of flanges of box beams (except in lowly stressed portions); (2) they do not cause grain divergence at the edges of the board or in the flanges of a beam more than specified in column 3; and (3) they are in the cent er third of the beam and are not closer than 20 inches to anot her knot or other defect (pertains to 3/8 inch knots—smaller knots may be proportionately closer). Knots greater than 1/4 inch must be used with caution.

d. Pin knot clusters. Small clusters are acceptable providi ng they produce only a small effect on grain direction.

e. Pitch pockets. Acceptable in center porti on of a beam providing they ar e at least 14 inches apart when they lie in the same growth ring and do not exceed 1-1/2 inches length by 1/8 inch widt h by 1/8 inch depth, and providing they are not al ong the projecting portions of I-beams, along the edges of rectangular or beveled unrouted beams, or along the edges of the flanges of box beams.

f. Mineral streaks. Acceptable, providing careful inspection fails to reveal any decay.

Par 1-2 Page 1-66 TABLE 1-1. Selection and Properties of Aircraft Wood. (See notes following table.) (continued)

2. Defects Not Permitted.

a. Cross grain. Not acceptable, unless within limitations noted in 1a.

b. Wavy, curly, and interlocked grain. Not acceptable, unless within limitations noted in 1b.

c. Hard knots. Not acceptable, unless within limitations noted in 1c.

d. Pin knot clusters. Not acceptable, if they produce large effect on grain direction.

e. Spike knots. These are knots running completely thr ough the depth of a beam per pendicular to the annual rings and appear most frequently in quarter-sawed lumber. Reject wood containing this defect.

f. Pitch pockets. Not acceptable, unless within limitations noted in 1e.

g. Mineral streaks. Not acceptable, if accompanied by decay (see 1f).

h. Checks, shakes, and splits. Checks are longitudinal cracks extending, in general, across the annual rings.

Shakes are longitudinal cracks usually between two annual rings . Splits are longitudinal cracks induced by artificially induced stress. Reject wood containing these defects.

i. Compression wood. This defect is very detrimental to strengt h and is difficult to recognize readily. It is characterized by high specific grav ity, has the appearance of an excessive growth of summer wood, and in most species shows little contrast in color between spring wood and summer wood. In doubtful ca ses reject the material, or subject samples to toughness machine test to establish the quality of the wood. Reje ct all material containing compression wood.

j. Compression failures. This defect is caused from the w ood being overstressed in compression due to natural forces during the growth of the tree, felling trees on rough or irregul ar ground, or rough hand ling of logs or lumber. Compression failures are characterized by a buckli ng of the fibers that appear as streaks on the surface of the piece substantially at right angles to the grain, and vary from pronounced failures to very fine hairlines that require close inspection to detect. Reject wood containing obvious failures. In doubtfu l cases reject the wood, or make a further inspection in the form of microscopic examination or toughness test, the latter means being the more reliable.

k. Decay. Examine all stains and discoloration carefully to det ermine whether or not they are harmless, or in a stage of preliminary or advanced decay. All pieces must be free from rot, dote, red heart, purple heart, and all other forms of decay.

fittings and wire bracing and checking or splitting of wood members. A few suggestions for minimizing these shrinkage effects are:

Use bushings that are slightly short so that when the wood member shrinks the bushings do not protrude and the fittings may be tightened firmly against the member.

Gradually drop off plywood faceplates by feathering as shown in figure 1-2.

Thoroughly seal all wood surfaces, particularly end grain and bolt holes, with varnish, epoxy, or other acceptable sealer to slow or prevent moisture changes in the member. (See Section 5. Finishing Wood Structures.)

MODIFIED WOOD PRODUCTS. The most common forms of modified woods found in aircraft construction are plywood. Although not a wood product, Phenolic parts

FIGURE 1-2. Tapering of faceplate.

are sometimes incorporated into structures. These products are used whenever the manufacturer requires specialized strength or durability characteristics.

ADHESIVES. Because of the critical role played by adhesives in aircraft structure, the mechanic must employ only those types of adhesives that meet all of the performance requirements necessary for use in certificated civil aircraft. Use each product strictly in accordance with the aircraft and adhesive manufacturer’s instructions.

Par 1-2 Page 1-67 Adhesives acceptable to the FAA can be identified in the following ways:

Refer to the aircraft maintenance or repair manual for specific instructions on acceptable adhesive selection for use on that type aircraft.

Adhesives meeting the requirements of a Military Specification (Mil Spec), Aerospace Material Specification (AMS), or Technical Standard Order (TSO) for wooden aircraft structures are satisfactory providing they are found to be compatible with existing structural materials in the aircraft and the fabrication methods to be used in the repair.

Common types of adhesives that are or have been used in aircraft structure fall into two general groups: casein and synthetic-resins. Adhesive technology continues to evolve, and new types (meeting the requirements of paragraph 1-4a) may become available in the future.

Casein adhesive performance is generally inferior to other available products. These adhesives should be considered obsolete for all repairs.

CAUTION: Casein adhesive deteriorates over the years after exposure to moisture in the air and temperature variations. Some modern adhesives are incompatible with casein adhesive. If a joint that has previously been bonded with casein is to be rebonded with another type adhesive, all traces of the casein must be scraped off before the new adhesive is applied. If any casein adhesive is left, residual alkalinity may cause the new adhesive to fail to cure properly.

Synthetic-resin adhesives comprise a broad family which includes plastic resin glue, resorcinol, hot-pressed Phenol, and epoxy.

Plastic resin glue (urea-formalde-hyde resin glue) has been used in wood aircraft for many years. Caution should be used due to possible rapid deterioration (more rapidly than wood) of plastic resin glue in hot, moist environments and under cyclic swell-shrink stress. For these reasons, urea-formaldehyde should be considered obsolete for all repairs.

Any proposed use of this type adhesive should be discussed with the appropriate FAA office prior to using on certificated aircraft.

Resorcinol adhesive (resorcinol-formaldehyde resin) is a two-part synthetic resin adhesive consisting of resin and a hardener.

Resorcinol is widely used in wooden aircraft structure and fully meets necessary strength and durability requirements. The appropriate amount of hardener (per manufacturer’s instruction) is added to the resin, and it is stirred until it is uniformly mixed; the adhesive is now ready for immediate use. Quality of fit and proper clamping pressure are both critical to the achievement of full joint strength. The adhesive bond lines must be very thin and uniform in order to achieve full joint strength.

CAUTION: Read and observe material safety data. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding mixing, open assembly and close assembly times, and usable temperature ranges.

Phenol-formaldehyde adhesive is commonly used in the manufacturing of aircraft grade plywood. This product is cured at elevated temperature and pressure; therefore, it is not practical for use in structural repair.