Mid-Continent Instrument MD215 Series Technical Document

Installation Manual and Operating Instructions
Model MD215 Series
Hybrid Counterdrum Altimeter
Mid-Continent Instrument Co., Inc.
dba Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics
®
9400 E. 34th Street N.
Wichita, KS 67226 Manual Number 9018501
ph [phone] fx [phone] Revision C, October 11, 2017

Manual Number 9018501 2 Revision C, October 11, 2017
FOREWORD
This manual provides information intended for use by persons who, in accordance with current regulatory
requirements, are qualified to install this equipment. If further information is required, please contact:
Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics
Attn: Customer Service Dept.
9400 E. 34th Street N.
Wichita, KS 67226 USA
PH [phone]
FX [phone]
www.mcico.com
We welcome your comments concerning this manual. Although every effort has been made to keep it free
of errors, some may occur. When reporting a specific problem, please describe it briefly and include the
manual part number, the paragraph/figure/table reference and the page number. Send your comments to:
Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics
Attn: Technical Publications
9400 E. 34th Street N.
Wichita, KS 67226 USA
PH [phone]
FX [phone]
[e-mail]
All products produced by Mid-Continent Instrument Co., Inc., including those identified as Mid-Continent
Instruments and Avionics or True Blue Power, are designed and manufactured in Wichita, KS, USA.
© Copyright 2016
Mid-Continent Instrument Co., Inc.

Manual Number 9018501 3 Revision C, October 11, 2017
REVISION HISTORY
Revision Date Approved Detail
A 10/30/2015 BAW Initial Release.
B 01/19/2016 BAW Updates for TSO application.
C 10/11/2017 MKN Updated Figure 3.1 with notch.

Manual Number 9018501
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1GENERAL DESCRIPTION ..................................................................................6
1.1  Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 6 
1.2  Technical specifications ................................................................................................................... 7 
 Electrical Attributes ............................................................................................................... 7 
 Physical Attributes................................................................................................................. 7 
 Qualifications......................................................................................................................... 7 
 ARINC data labels................................................................................................................. 8 
 Gillham Code (Encoding Altimeter output)............................................................................ 9 
SECTION 2PRE-INSTALLATION.........................................................................................10
2.1  General Information ....................................................................................................................... 10 
2.2  Unpacking and inspecting equipment ............................................................................................ 10 
2.3  Equipment Location ....................................................................................................................... 10 
2.4  Cable Harness ............................................................................................................................... 10 
 Wire Gauge Selection ......................................................................................................... 11 
 Cable Harness Assembly.................................................................................................... 11 
2.5  Limitations ...................................................................................................................................... 13 
SECTION 3INSTALLATION .................................................................................................14
3.1  General .......................................................................................................................................... 14 
3.2  mounting ........................................................................................................................................ 14 
 Rear Mount Installation ....................................................................................................... 15 
 Front Mount Installation....................................................................................................... 16 
3.3  installation completion.................................................................................................................... 16 
SECTION 4OPERATION......................................................................................................17
4.1  Description ..................................................................................................................................... 17 
4.2  User Interface................................................................................................................................. 17 
 Altitude Display and Units ................................................................................................... 18 
 Pointer ................................................................................................................................. 18 
 Baro Setting and Units ........................................................................................................18 
 Push-button Rotary Knob (Flight Mode) ............................................................................. 18 
 Push-button Rotary Knob (Configuration Mode) ................................................................. 19 
 INOP Flag............................................................................................................................ 19 
 Annunciations (Flight Mode) ............................................................................................... 19 
4.3  Modes of Operation........................................................................................................................ 19 
 Flight Mode.......................................................................................................................... 19 

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 Emergency Mode (for battery-installed units only).............................................................. 20 
 Configuration Mode............................................................................................................. 22 
SECTION 5CONFORMANCE ..............................................................................................24
5.1  Instructions for Continued Air-Worthiness ..................................................................................... 24 
 Pressure System and Altimeter Verification........................................................................ 24 
 Maintenance........................................................................................................................ 24 
 Firmware Updates............................................................................................................... 24 
 Storage Information (for battery-installed units only) .......................................................... 24 
 Battery Maintenance and End of Life (for battery-installed units only) ............................... 24 
 Battery Disposal (for battery-installed units only)................................................................ 25 
 Shipping (for battery-installed units only) ............................................................................ 25 
5.2  ENVIRONMENTAL QUALIFICATION STATEMENT .................................................................... 26 

Manual Number 9018501 6 Revision C, October 11, 2017
SECTION 1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The model MD215-( ) series two-inch Electric Hybrid Counterdrum Altimeter is a pressure actuated,
encoding, sensitive altimeter built to meet or exceed standards set forth in FAA TSO-C10b, C88b, C106,
C179a. The unit provides critical altitude data to the pilot and crew and offers features that enhance
usability, reliability and convenience.
The MD215 provides a needle pointer and two rotating counter drums to indicate altitude up to 55,000
feet and includes an adjustable barometric pressure correction. The user interface features a simple
push-and-turn knob to change the barometric pressure adjustment and address other features. The
flexibility of the MD215 also allows user-configurability to meet a variety of altitude requirements,
including altitude units in both feet and meters and barometric pressure units in both inches of mercury (in
Hg) and millibars (mBar).
The MD215 is designed to be installed in an aircraft cockpit instrument panel and has available options
for either a standard 2-inch ARINC-style front mount or round, bezel-mounted rear mount. Anti-reflective
glass maximizes contrast ratio and provides a clear, efficient display.
The primary input is a pneumatic connection to the aircraft’s static pressure system. Additionally, power is
provided by any input between 10 and 32 volts DC, allowing operation with 14 or 28V aircraft electrical
buses. The configurable lighting input powers an LED backlit display and can accept 5, 14 or 28V lighting
systems.
The MD215 offers excellent reliability based on its solid-state pressure sensor and servo-driven display,
far exceeding the expected life of traditional mechanical altimeters. Versions of the unit are also available
that include an integral and rechargeable Nanophosphate® lithium-ion battery that can power the unit for
one hour if main aircraft power is lost.
The unit has enhanced outputs and communication that provide information to and from the aircraft via a
single ARINC 429 receive bus and an ARINC 429 transmit bus. The input function can receive ARINC
data from the primary flight display system to automatically synchronize the baro adjustment with that
system without redundant pilot intervention. The data outputs provide altitude, baro and other data that
make the unit useful as an independent source of this information as needed on the aircraft. Traditional
encoding outputs (Gillham code) may also be connected to a mode-C transponder or similar legacy
equipment.
The operation and certification of the MD215 make it a great fit for Part 23 and 25 fixed-wing applications
as well as Part 27 and 29 rotorcraft.

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1.2 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Electrical Attributes
Characteristics:
Input Voltage: 10-32 VDC
Input Power: (nominal) 3 watts (0.11A @ 28VDC)
(maximum) 9 watts max (when charging)
Battery Capacity (if installed): 3.3 watt-hours
Lighting Input: 5, 14, or 28VDC or automatic photocell control
Input Data: ARINC 429 (see Section 1.2.4)
Output Data: ARINC 429 (see Section 1.2.4);
Gillham encoded data (see Section 1.2.5)
Valid discrete signal to ground; invalid signal is open (pin 2)
Physical Attributes
Characteristics:
Range (altitude): -1,500 feet to 55,000 feet (-450 to 16,900 meters)
Range (baro): 28.00 to 31.00 IN HG (948 to 1050 MBAR)
Weight: 2.0 pounds (0.91 kg)
Dimensions:
(without connectors, mates & knob)
Bezel: 2.27” x 2.27” x 0.23” (HxWxD)
Chassis: 2.18” x 2.18” x 4.63” (HxWxD)
Cover Glass: HEA (anti-reflective) coated per MIL-C-14806
Mating Connectors: 9/16-18 UNJF-3B per MS33649-06 pneumatic fitting (MCI P/N
NY-400-1-6ST)
26-pin D-Sub, MCIA p/n 9018118 (Installation Kit)
Mounting: Front or rear mount, see panel cutout; Figure 3.1 and Figure 3.2
Lighting: Internally lit with white LEDs
Qualifications
Specifications:
Qualification: FAA TSO-C10b, C88b, C106, C179a
Environmental Qualification: RTCA DO-160G
(details listed in Section 5.2)
Complex Hardware Qualification: RTCA DO-254, Design Assurance Level A

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ARINC data labels
All labels are defined as Equipment ID 006 in BNR format.
ARINC 429 Output (Transmit) Speed
Label Description High Low
203 Pressure Altitude X
204 Baro Corrected Altitude X
212 Altitude Rate X
217 Static Pressure, Corrected X
234 Baro Correction (mbar) X
235 Baro Correction (in Hg) X
350 Hardware Version (custom) X
377 Equipment ID (006) X
ARINC 429 Input (Receive) Speed
Label Description High Low
203 Pressure Altitude X X
204 Baro Corrected Altitude X X
234 Baro Correction (mbar) X X
235 Baro correction (in Hg) X X
Table 1.1
ARINC Data Labels

Manual Number 9018501
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Gillham Code (Encoding Altimeter output)
Gillham output data (10 bits plus enable) is provided to be consistent with a legacy encoding
altimeter. These outputs are traditionally connected to an ATC Transponder, although they could
be used for other purposes.
The data format is described in the International (ICAO) Standard Code for S.S.R. Pressure
Altitude Transmission contained in ICAO International Standards and Recommended Practices;
Aeronautical Telecommunications, Annex 10, Volume I, Part I, Equipment and Systems. This
document is referenced by SAE AS8003, as required by FAA TSO C88b.
The enable bit (TRANSMIT_ENABLE_N pin 25 listed in the pinout Table 2.1) must be connected
to GND (pin 2 or equivalent) in order to actively update the outputs for normal operation.
Specifications:
Output voltage tolerance 0 – 40V
Current per output 0 – 150mA
Output impedance Modeled as FET in series with 15 ohms to GND
Output voltage Dependent on supply, self-limiting to 150mA
Leakage current 250uA
Maximum rate of change for coded altitude 20,000 ft/min
Maximum switching rate for transmit enable 100 KHz
Table 1.2
Gillham Output Data Specifications

Manual Number 9018501 10 Revision C, October 11, 2017
SECTION 2 PRE-INSTALLATION
2.1 GENERAL INFORMATION
This section contains information and considerations required to prepare for the MD215 installation,
including provided equipment, panel location, wiring and other information.
2.2 UNPACKING AND INSPECTING EQUIPMENT
When unpacking this equipment, make a visual inspection for evidence of any damage that may have
incurred during shipment. The following parts should be included:
a. Hybrid Counterdrum Altimeter MCI P/N 6420215-( )
b. Installation Kit MCI P/N 9018105
i. Electrical Connector Kit MCI P/N 9018118
ii. Pneumatic Fitting MCI P/N NY-400-1-6ST
iii. Screw, #6-32x3/8” MCI P/N 90-612-10011
c. Installation Manual MCI P/N 9018501
Equipment Not Provided
a. Wire, 22AWG (see 2.4.1)
b. Mounting Hardware (Front Mount Installation)
i. ATI2 Instrument Clamp MSP 9962B or similar
ii. Washer, Lock, #6 (optional) Qty (3)
2.3 EQUIPMENT LOCATION
The MD215 Hybrid Counterdrum Altimeter is designed primarily to be installed in the instrument
panel of the aircraft. However, within the limitations of the environmental qualifications, other
locations may be acceptable when considered within the context of the specific application and
with the appropriate installation certification.
Additionally, consider what equipment is behind the panel which may impede the installation of
the MD215. Clearance for the unit as well as its electrical and pneumatic connections and routing
must be allowed. Be aware of routing cables near other electronics or with other wire bundles that
may be susceptible to high energy flow. Avoid sharp bends in cabling or hoses and routing near
aircraft control cables. Also, avoid proximity and contact with aircraft structures, avionics
equipment, heat sources or other obstructions that could chafe or damage wires or hoses during
flight and cause undesirable effects.
2.4 CABLE HARNESS
Construct the cable harness in accordance with the instructions below (see Figure 2.1). Installers
should follow industry-accepted practices regarding aircraft wiring and applicable regulatory
requirements and guidance. The instructions for constructing the cable harness as listed within
this manual were also used to construct the harness during environmental and electrical testing.
Alterations may invalidate environmental qualification and/or performance results. Refer to
Section 2.3: Equipment Location for routing precautions.