Frequently asked questions
Repair or replace, part numbers, certifications, Castleberry gyros and shipping an instrument to our shop in Show Low, Arizona.
Instruments and part numbers
Which instruments do you work on?
Flight instruments and engine gauges for helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft. On the gyro side, that's attitude indicators, flight directors, directional gyros, HSIs and turn coordinators; on the pressure side, altimeters, airspeed indicators and vertical speed indicators; and engine gauges such as tachometers and manifold pressure gauges.
Our capabilities list covers more than 5,000 instruments, from manufacturers including Sigma-Tek, Collins Aerospace, Honeywell, AIM, Jet/L-3, Kratos, INSCO, Bendix/King and Castleberry.
My instrument isn't listed on the site. Can you still help?
Very likely. The site covers the instruments operators send us most, not the whole capabilities list. Send us the manufacturer and part number and we'll check it.
Where do I find the part number?
On the data plate: the label on the instrument's case that lists the manufacturer, model and part number, and usually the serial number. If the plate is hard to read, email a photo of it to sales@ciamfg.com with your request.
Do you work with individual owners, or only fleets?
Both. Fleet and EMS operators, government and law enforcement agencies and flight schools send us instruments, and so do private owners with a single aircraft, whether it's one instrument or several.
Repair or replace
What's the difference between a repair and an overhaul?
Scope. A repair finds and fixes a specific fault, such as an erratic indication or a warning flag that won't clear, and confirms the instrument operates properly. An overhaul restores the whole instrument: it is disassembled, cleaned, inspected, repaired as necessary, reassembled and tested.
How do I know which one my instrument needs?
That's what the bench evaluation is for. We find the cause of the problem and check the instrument's overall condition, then talk through what we found and recommend whether to repair, overhaul or replace it. You choose how to proceed.
As a rule of thumb, a repair suits one problem in an otherwise reliable instrument. An overhaul suits high time, an unknown history, a problem that keeps coming back, or a unit coming out of storage.
Do you sell new instruments and avionics?
Yes. When replacing makes more sense than repairing, we supply outright instrument replacements and complete avionics upgrades from Garmin, Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics, Sigma-Tek and other trusted manufacturers. We'll also tell you when a repair is the better buy.
What is an exchange?
An exchange gets a serviceable instrument back in the panel without waiting for your own unit to be repaired or overhauled. Whether an exchange is available, and on what terms, depends on the instrument, so send us the part number and we'll tell you what's possible.
My altimeter failed its 24-month check. Can you help?
Yes. Under 14 CFR 91.411, an aircraft flown under IFR in controlled airspace must have had its static system, altimeter and altitude reporting equipment tested within the preceding 24 calendar months. If the altimeter doesn't pass, send it to us for repair or overhaul, and note the test result in your request.
Castleberry gyros
Do you still make Castleberry gyros?
No. The Castleberry line is no longer in production. We repair and overhaul the Castleberry instruments still flying: the attitude indicators, flight director gyros and 200 series directional gyro, plus the EPU28-24RM emergency power unit and the PAC-75 inverter.
How can I tell which Castleberry model I have?
Check the data plate. Configurations varied by part number, so the part number is the surest guide. Our Castleberry gyros page lists every model in the last Castleberry brochure with its features, or send us the part number and we'll confirm it.
Which autopilots do the Castleberry flight director gyros work with?
The brochure lists the 900-23V and 900-23EVPS for S-Tec autopilots, the 900-23EVPC for Century Flight Systems autopilots, and a front-mount 900-23EVPC that replaces the KI-254 for Bendix/King autopilots. Name your autopilot in your service request.
Shipping an instrument
Do I need to contact you before I ship?
Yes. Send a service request first so we know what's on the way. Once it's sent, you can print a sheet with your request on it to put in the box.
How should I pack an instrument?
In a sturdy box with at least 2 inches of foam or bubble wrap on every side, face up, with the cover glass and knobs wrapped. Let a gyro spin down completely before you remove it, and double-box it. On a pressure instrument, cap the pitot and static fittings.
Where do I ship it?
To Castleberry Instruments & Avionics, 700 N. 40th Street, Show Low, AZ 85901. Questions before you ship? Call (928) 537-8400 or email sales@ciamfg.com.
Quotes and certifications
How much will it cost?
It depends on the instrument, its condition and the service you choose. Send us the manufacturer and part number for a quote. Once the instrument is on the bench, we'll talk through what we found and recommend whether to repair or replace it before you decide how to proceed.
Are you a certified repair station?
Yes. We're an FAA Part 145 certified repair station with an Unlimited Rating, and we're also EASA certified, FAA-PMA certified and CAGE code equipped for government and law enforcement work.
What if I think I have a warranty problem?
If you believe you have a warranty problem, please contact us directly so we can provide you with a solution. Call (928) 537-8400 or email sales@ciamfg.com.
Ask the shop
Have a question we didn't cover?
Send the make, model and part number with your question, and we'll get back to you by email or phone.