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The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the Aero-Instruments 0851HL-AI Pitot Probe as a replacement part on Airbus Airbus A318, A319, A320, A321, A330 and A340 series airplanes airplanes flown worldwide.
Each Airbus commercial aircraft has three Pitot Probes, which are the primary air speed sensing components on aircraft and are designed with integrated electrical heaters to prevent icing.
The Pitot Probes made by another vendor, Thales of France, have been under suspicion in the crash of Air France AF-447. In addition to the standard AA type probes of Thales, even the new modified BA type probes are under suspicion after a recent incident involving an Air France A320 aircraft registration F-GFKJ where all airspeed information as well other air data related indications were lost in the cockpit, and the autopilot and autothrust systems dropped off-line.
In granting Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) for the Aero-Instruments 0851HL-AI Pitot Probe, the FAA concluded that the part meets or exceeds the agreed upon certification plan, which was based on the requirements of TSO C-16A, including the icing requirements outlined in SAE AS393, AS8006, and BS2G.135.
Aero-Instruments will be the third manufacturer of these Pitot Probes. The other being Goodrich of the US.
