VAN NUYS, Calif. – Mid-Continent Instruments announced today that the company’s well-known instrument shop in Van Nuys, Calif., has earned FAA Full Class 1, 2, 3 Radio and Class 3 Accessory repair certification from the FAA.

Full Class 1, 2, 3 Radio and Class 3 Accessory certification enables Mid-Continent Instruments west coast facility to add additional avionics and accessory types to its current service offerings without applying for each approval from the local FAA Flight Standards District Office.

“More and more avionics shops are turning their instrument and avionics bench work over to our experienced technicians to save time and money. Earning this Full Class rating will enable us to add new products that fall within our class ratings to our capabilities list more efficiently,” explained Matt Fowle, Western Regional Director, Mid-Continent Instruments – West. The Class 1, 2, 3 Radio and Class 3 Accessory categories refer to all avionics found in the majority of general and business aviation aircraft.

The Class 1, 2, 3 Radio and Class 3 Accessory ratings are the highest repair certifications issued by the FAA. Only after a repair station has the experience and capabilities to perform maintenance on a significant variety of items within the class description can it apply for these advanced capability ratings.

“After a series of in-depth internal audits of our procedures and policies, we have demonstrated to the FAA that we have the processes, training, proper test equipment and current technical data necessary to perform this type of maintenance in Van Nuys in a way that is consistent with our parent facility in Wichita,” stated Charles Shumate, Quality Assurance Manager, Mid-Continent Instruments. “The two facilities can now operate as one organization with the same level of services. This is a very proud moment for the entire Mid-Continent team,” Shumate continued.

According to Fowle, the added capabilities are especially valuable because so many avionics and instrument units are integrated in aircraft panels.

“Sometimes a shop won’t know which component of an integrated avionics and instrument system is malfunctioning so they will send multiple components to our facility for troubleshooting,” Fowle said. “With our extensive capabilities we can connect and test the system as a whole.” The major benefits are more comprehensive services and faster turn-around — clear value for avionics shops and their customers.

For more information regarding Mid-Continent Instruments’ new Full Class ratings, contact Matt Fowle, Western Regional Director, Mid-Continent Instruments – West, at 800-345-7599 or visit www.mcico.com.

About Mid-Continent Instruments
Mid-Continent Instruments manufactures aircraft instruments for the general aviation industry. Services at the Wichita, Kan., facility include developing and manufacturing new instruments and avionics products, overhaul and repair. Mid-Continent Instruments – West in Van Nuys, Calif., provides new instrument sales and is the top-rated instrument overhaul shop on the West Coast. Specialties include gyro, altimeter, HSI and autopilot system overhauls. Mid-Continent Instruments products are found in most Cessna-built aircraft and Hawker Beechcraft’s line of Bonanzas, Barons, King Airs and 1900 Airliners. Other key customers include Garmin International, Cirrus, Diamond, Piper, Robinson Helicopter Co., Vulcanair, Eurocopter and Bell Helicopter. For more information, visit www.mcico.com.