No person may operate an airplane, or helicopter, in controlled airspace under IFR unless—

Within the preceding 24 calendar months, each static pressure system, each altimeter instrument, and each automatic pressure altitude reporting system has been tested and inspected and found to comply with appendices E and F of part 43 of this chapter;

Except for the use of system drain and alternate static pressure valves, following any opening and closing of the static pressure system, that system has been tested and inspected and found to comply with paragraph (a), appendix E, of part 43 of this chapter; and

Following installation or maintenance on the automatic pressure altitude reporting system of the ATC transponder where data correspondence error could be introduced, the integrated system has been tested, inspected, and found to comply with paragraph (c), appendix E, of part 43 of this chapter.

The tests required by paragraph (a) of this section must be conducted by—

The manufacturer of the airplane, or helicopter, on which the tests and inspections are to be performed;

A certificated repair station properly equipped to perform those functions and holding—

An instrument rating, Class I;

A limited instrument rating appropriate to the make and model of appliance to be tested;

A limited rating appropriate to the test to be performed;

An airframe rating appropriate to the airplane, or helicopter, to be tested; or

A certificated mechanic with an airframe rating (static pressure system tests and inspections only).

Altimeter and altitude reporting equipment approved under Technical Standard Orders are considered to be tested and inspected as of the date of their manufacture.

No person may operate an airplane, or helicopter, in controlled airspace under IFR at an altitude above the maximum altitude at which all altimeters and the automatic altitude reporting system of that airplane, or helicopter, have been tested.