AERO 551-101-002 Panel Mount Digital CO Detector

AERO 551 Panel Mount Digital CO Detector and Cabin Pressure Warning

The Aero 553-101-001 Digital Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector is a panel mounted TSO Certified unit designed especially for use in both FAA certified aircraft and experimental aircraft. Designed to fit in, and replace a standard 2.25” (2 1/4”) standard instrument panel clock, the AERO 551 gives you highly accurate and extremely fast CO detection and PPM readings within the cockpit on an easy-to-read LCD display.

The Aero 551 will display carbon monoxide (CO) levels on the screen from 10 ppm to 999 ppm. The onboard LCD and audio alarm and headset tone generator will sound within 5 minutes if the CO level stays above 75 +/- 5 ppm. If the CO level rises above 300 ppm, the alarms will trigger within one minute.

The Aero 551 is a valuable upgrade for any certificated aircraft that has a spare 2 1/4″ instrument position available and requires only a few hours to install.

All Guardian Avionics CO Detectors feature a One (1) Year Limited Warranty and a 5-7 year TBO on the CO Sensor.

Specifications

• Power usage less than 2 watts
• Temperature range 0 °C to 50 °C
• Humidity 5% to 95% (non-condensating)
• Circuit breaker 2 amps
• Interface: RS-232
• Size: fits standard 2/14 inch round panel cut-out and is 2 1/2 inch deep
• Weight 7.5 oz.
• Sensor tested to 25,000 feet
• 15 pin connector

Approved PFD, MFD, and Engine Monitor Products that will display the Aero 551 data:

• Garmin: Garmin G3X, Garmin G3X Touch, Garmin GNS 480, Garmin G900
• J.P. Instruments (JPI): EDM 730, EDM 830, EDM 900 Primary, EDM 900 Experimental, EDM 960 Twin
• Electronics Instruments (EI): MVP50P, MVP-50T, CGR-30P
• Advanced Flight System: AF2500/3500/4500/5000/5400/5500/5600/5800
• Grand Rapids Technologies (GRT): Sports SX, Horizon HX, and HXr EFIS Systems
• Ultra Electronics: AuRACLE CRM 2120
• MGL Avionics: XTreme EFIS

FAA Certification

When installed in accordance with this installation manual and the limitations, the installation of our TSO Approved models 452/454/455/551 and 553 is unlikely to have an appreciable effect on the weight, balance, structural strength, reliability, operational characteristics, or other characteristics affecting the airworthiness of the aircraft, and should therefore be eligible for installation as a minor alteration.

Please see the Instructions of continued Airworthiness for each model for limitations (available on downloads page). Most customers have been able to install these as Minor installation per AC 23.1309-IE and FAR 23.109. You must seek proper guidance prior to installation from you local FAA FISDO for clarification.

FAA Advisory Circular on CO

The above FAA circular provides information on the potential dangers of Carbon Monoxide contamination from faulty engine exhaust systems or cabin heaters of the exhaust gas heat exchange type. It also discusses means of detection and procedures to follow when contamination is suspected.

FAA Requirements for CO in Aircraft during Certification

FAR. 23.831 Ventilation in Aircraft

(a) Each passenger and crew compartment must be suitably ventilated. Carbon monoxide concentration may not exceed one part in 20,000 parts of air (50 PPM).

All Panel mounted units are designed to alarm within 5 minutes if CO is between 50 PPM and 75 PPM to meet the requirements of TSO C48.

AERO-152WD Warning Levels shown below. Note: (252,352’s, 353’s,452’s and 552 all alarm with 5 minutes if CO is above 50PPM).

Caution – This product is intended to be used in aircraft enclosed cabins. Because of its super-sensitivity, it’s not designed to be in compliance with UL2034, OSHA, and other industry standards.

National Transportation Safety Board Recommends CO Detectors to be installed in all General Aviation Aircraft.

FAA CERTIFICATION / STC

When installed in accordance with this installation manual and the limitations that follow, the installation of the model 452 is unlikely to have an appreciable effect on the weight, balance, structural strength, reliability, operational characteristics, or other characteristics affecting the airworthiness of the aircraft, and should therefore be eligible for installation as a minor alteration.

Model AERO 452 has TSO certification and is STC approved for installation on certified aircraft. Customers have three options depending on their relationship with their local FAA FISDO office (you must seek proper guidance prior to installation). 1) Install it as minor log book entry since the unit is TSO approved as non essential equipment. 2) Install it using FAA Form 337 as minor alternation. 3) Install it per supplied STC on a Cessna 172.

However, no approval exists for the other panel-mount models of CO Guardian (models AERO 252, 352’s, 353’s, 551 and 553). Acceptance for the installation and use of as a non-essential equipment (per AC 23-15, paragraph V, pg. 28), must be sought through your local FBO and the appropriate offices of the Federal Aviation Administration or other certifying agency.