Definition
The avionics equipment that is permanently mounted in an aircraft and certified as part of that aircraft's approved configuration. For IFR operations, the installed avionics must meet the regulatory requirements for the type of flight being conducted (for example, the navigation, communication, and instrument systems required for the planned IFR procedure).
Plain English
The radios, navigation gear, and flight instruments that are built into the aircraft as a permanent part of it — not portable units the pilot brings on board.
Context Anchor
Seen in helicopter instrument flight certification discussions, where the aircraft must have specific equipment installed before it can be approved for instrument operations.
Derivation
Installed' comes from Latin 'installare,' meaning to place or set in position. In aviation, it carries a regulatory weight: equipment is 'installed' only when it has been mounted, wired, and certified as part of the aircraft, not just placed inside it.
Why Pilots Care
Determines whether the helicopter meets regulatory standards for safe instrument flight operations.
Intuition Check
Installed does not just mean “present in the aircraft.” It means mounted, connected, and accepted as part of the aircraft’s equipment; a device sitting in the cockpit is not installed avionics.
Example Sentence 1
Before filing IFR, the pilot confirmed that the helicopter's installed avionics met the requirements for the planned approach.
Example Sentence 2
During certification inspection, all installed avionics were checked against the equipment list for compliance.