[f-AA] uAvionix ADS-B Group Purchase Option
Jim Holdeman
Hello F-A-A members,
I am Jim Holdeman, Director of Development for General Aviation Solutions/Rose Aircraft Services, located KMEZ, Mena, AR. After making an ADS-B presentation to the Ercoupe Owners Club in June, Larry Snyder ( President EOC) and I developed a group purchase plan for the uAvionix line of ADS-B options. This was initially offered to the EOC exclusively. However, after further discussion with Larry, we decided that the safety benefits was significant enough for all aircraft owner/pilots that we have extended this to the aircraft community via type clubs. I am a member of the F-A-A and have had some private consultation time with John Rodkey regarding presenting this offer without appearing as an aviation business greedily trolling for business through the type clubs. I am an A&P, own/fly a D-35 Bonanza equipped with two kinds of avionics…old and older. I too, am shopping for the best ADS-B solution for me, my airplane, and the type of flying I generally do.
General Aviation Solutions (GAS) is a division of Rose Aircraft Services (RAS) which primarily refurbs corporate aviation customers. RAS’s core business is King Airs through Gulfstreams. GAS serves the aviation community concentrating on the $15K-80K aircraft owner/pilot including Experimentals. We are a dealer for Garmin, Bendix-King, Appareo/Stratus, Free Flight Systems, Sandia Aerospace, Levil Technologies, uAvionix to name a few. We have no particular loyalty to any one avionics manufacturer. So, whatever works best for the customer is what we install or sell. I spent all my time at Oshkosh working our GAS booths located at 4143 and 4152. As a result, I want to share some observations, clear up misconceptions about ADS-B, and give you the latest information, as a dealer for uAvionix, regarding certification dates.
ADS-B “Out” is a transmission plus reception. This requires a transceiver. ADS-B “IN” is receiving. This requires a receiver. Currently, all ADS-B avionics require the installation of a Mode C or S transponder. ADS-B avionics use the transponder broadcast/ receiving information, adding horizontal/vertical speed, WAAS positioning information plus aircraft type, N number. The aircraft type information includes the wingspan of your airplane which, when combined with the WAAS GPS positioning information, is able to literally calculate the airspace your airplane is using at any given time.
To be compliant with the 2020 ADS-B mandate, one’s aircraft must be able to transmit all the required positional information to ATC. You are not required to see or observe the results…all you are required to accomplish is transmitting the positional information to ATC which allows you to enter class C or B airspace after Jan. 1, 2020. If you do not care about your relationship to other aircraft beyond ATC’s ability to keep traffic separated and your eyesight you do not need any additional avionics other than having a working Mode C or S transponder and an ADS-B “OUT” compliant transceiver. If you feel comfortable in flying under Class C or B airspace only using your “Mark III Eyeball” this is and will be your privilege. Class D airspace remains the same…you are required to establish contact with the local tower by radio or phone call prior to entering Class D airspace…no ADS-B needed or mandated.
ADS-B “IN” does not require a WAAS GPS source. ADS-B “OUT” does. However, to “see” all the traffic, receive all the weather capability available, the best solution is equipping with ADS-B hardware that will provide WAAS GPS positon capability on both ADS-B IN and OUT.
Pilot apps such as Foreflight, iFly 740, Wing-X, Garmin Pilot etc. is your choice of how you are going to view all this information in the cockpit via tablet or smartphone. It is the use of these apps, with all their individual services/options, that allow you to see as much or as little as you want or need at any given time. Your app will have many ways to declutter this huge amount of information. So, when making a decision on which ADS-B unit you might want, my advice is first pick out a pilot app you are comfortable with to determine how you want to “see” all this information BEFORE you decide which ADS-B solution you want to pursue. Many pilots already have made this decision but many of us have not.
Unless your Aeronca has a GTN650/750 installed, your handheld GPS does not have the capability of receiving all the information therefore cannot be used as a way to view all the information that can be viewed via the pilot apps via a tablet or smartphone.
The question frequently posed to me is what is the best and least expensive solution to comply with the January 1, 2020 ADS-B mandate? The simplest, easiest to install unit is the uAvionix skyBeacon, skySensor, and tailBeacon products.
The skyBeacon replaces the left red nav light providing full compliance with the ADS-B OUT mandate with an internal WAAS GPS source. Included with the ADS-B OUT capability is a red LED nav light plus LED strobe. These lights meet or exceed all night lighting requirements. Regarding lighting alone, these are fully TSO’d, certified improvements over the standard incandescent bulb. Plus, reduce the load on the electrical system considerably. The whole unit weighs 90 grams. Installation requires the removal of the 3 screws holding the standard Whelen style nav light, detaching the red power wire and black ground wire, reattaching both wires to the skyBeacon. Installation complete. Since this is a fully TSO’d design, all the installation requires is a logbook entry signed off by an A&P. uAvionix, has supplied the skyBeacon with a third yellow wire which allows the installation of a switch to turn on and off the LED strobe independent of the nav light switch.
skySensor replaces the green nav light providing ADS-B “IN” information. Likewise, it is a green LED nav light plus LED strobe. Same simple installation. No need for an ADS-B IN source suctioned cup to a window or an ADS-B IN source lying on top of the instrument panel, and the normal tangle of wires to power the unit in addition to the wires to the tablet, handheld GPS, and headset/intercom. Cleans up the cockpit, lowers the current draw on the electrical system, provides LED lighting and LED strobes. It too contains its own WAAS GPS source.
SkyBeacon and skySensor combined will give you ADS-B IN and OUT, provide LED lighting for both nav lights and the bonus of LED strobes for additional night and daytime visibility. His will lower the aircraft weight a bit, lesson the load on the electrical system considerably, provide certified night lighting, and give the benefits of LED strobe light visibility.
For those of you concerned about preserving the integrity of the original look to your airplane, you can install tailBeacon. It replaces the white nav light currently installed on your rudder or tailcone. It provides ADS-B OUT compliance. It DOES NOT contain a strobe.
All three units connect to the information broadcast from your transponder wirelessly. The purchase of any of these units includes an app for your smart phone. Once you install the units in the wing or tail, the app will configure the transponder information to the ADS-B unit of choice automatically. Then you will be able to test the system and verify that it fully operational, functioning, and be assured of a passing check flight before you even start the engine. No more guess work on whether will it work, is it properly configured, etc. You will know before you waste any time and fuel. One in seven ADS-B installation has failed to pass its acceptance flight.
Regarding the test flight in Class C airspace, when you contact ATC let them know you are in their airspace for an ADS-B check flight. They know what NEX/GEN is looking for and will vector you within their airspace for compliance parameters. For all those who are nervous about contacting center, don’t be. They are prepared for this and will assist you in making all the right turns, altitude changes, and providing traffic separation while performing the test flight. In the case of the uAvionix ADS-B offerings, you will know in advance that your equipment will pass the flight test. All you have to do is follow ATC instructions.
skyBeacon is fully TSO’s and certified. skySensor will be certified by September. tailBeacon will be certified by the end of November. All the uAvionix testing, check flights, vibration/lighting analyses, etc is complete. All three ADS-B units are using the same technology that has already been certified. Following a TSO rather than an STC process is far more expensive but a major benefit to the aviation consumer. uAvionix has set a very aggressive yet logical priority schedule to accomplish all this. They have amortized all these expensive development costs and thoroughly tested their products thru the much more stringent UAV/UAS market which is being led by Amazon, UPS, and FedEx in the 55-220lb drone market. So, these offering are not some cheap trinket devices as many legacy ADS-B manufacturers are trying to imply.
Warranty on all these products are one year after installation.
Prices for tailBeacon have not been firmed up. They will be as low as $1849 but no more than $2,000.
Sky Beacon is $1849. skySensor is $750. The bundling of these two is $2500.
Average installation of skyBeacon and skySensor together is 1 hour. In other words, each unit can easily be done in less than 30 minutes. Like wise for tailBeacon. It will add a bit more time of one wants to add an additional switch and wiring for the LED strobes to operate independently of the nave lights.
Attached is the EOC group buying purchase plan. We are offering a 13.75% discount off retail prices if we get over 50 firm orders. Larry Snyder has told me there are currently 61 firm orders as of last week. I have personally confirmed with the uAvionix CEO that they will honor a total unit commitment. So if there are 49 tailBeacons sold, 48 skySensors sold, and 20 skyBeacons sold, the discount which we at GAS are giving you is based off a combined unit sale rather than individual components. We have already passed that 50+ benchmark. GAS will be placing that order sometime around the first of December following the official uAvionix confirmation of the certification of tailBeacon.
We are hoping that by leveraging our dealer discounts for aircraft owner/pilots, you will remember us when you need your seats recovered or rebuilt, want an interior upgrade, an engine overhauled, spot painting or complete strip and paint, or any other maintenance. We have learned that by making this group purchase offer available for type clubs, many of you own more than one airplane. So, we are looking for that business related to the other airplanes including the airplanes represented by the type clubs. Different airplanes require different needs. We are an EASA/FAA repair station and have the capability to be a one stop source for all things relating to the refurbishment of airplanes…virtually any airplane from experimental, warbird, GA, or commercial/corporate. We are making a little bit of money regarding the sale…but nobody is going to Tahiti with these discounts.
One order is placed with Larry Snyder. One order is shipped to Larry Snyder. He will repackage and distribute them to you. There is a $10 fee for that. This way uAvionix only has to ship one order, GAS does not have to be a middleman, and this simplifies and trims down the whole process. When you contact Larry Snyder, and ask to be put on the list you are making a firm commitment. You will be required to send money shortly before the order is placed. We are not offering this to people who have not made a commitment. This is not a test market survey. You place an order with Larry, you are expected to follow up with money when the order is placed. Unsure right now? Do your own research. When satisfied, contact Larry and give the required information.
This group purchase is well known by uAvionix. We are not nationally advertising it. This is a great time to save some significant money and get a great product. The 13.75% discount is subtracted from the retail pricing.
uAvionix is a US based company which makes many remarkable products for the both the experimental and GA airplanes. They have an excellent track record and the FAA recognizes their genius in providing affordable ADS-B solutions. The FAA is very cooperative with uAvionix as they have well established track record working with the FAA. This is not an adversarial relationship. The FAA wants compliance because the main reason for all of this is the ability to tighten present traffic separation requirements allowing more airplanes in the current airspace.
Below is the link to AC 20-172B. It gives some insight to what is requires electrically for ADS-B IN. uAvionix said that a small lithium ion battery would power any of their products very well and for a long time because of their low current draw. As has been shared before, battery powered transponders are not that uncommon. Since any addition contributing to the safety of flight, the FAA is very open to field approvals for these kind of installations. Before installing a battery, I would have a chat with your local PMI. A lot has changed within the FAA culture with 2020 getting closer and closer.
https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_20-172B.pdf
Attached is the EOC Newsletter detailing the purchase agreement. Plus I have included the ADS-B presentation I have done in several venues on the current “State of ADS-B”.
I am sorry for the length. It’s hard to cram 8lbs into the proverbial 4 lb bag.
Sincerely,
Jim
Jim Holdeman
Director of Development
General Aviation Solutions
Division of Rose Aircraft Services
KMEZ Mena, AR, 71953
Roger Anderson
Wow Jim! Super interesting. A lot of high tech stuff going on out there. Thanks for all that info! roger
_______________________________________________
Aeronca mailing list
Aer...@westmont.edu
http://mail.westmont.edu/mailman/listinfo/aeronca
Richard Murray
fearless Aeronca Aviators mailing list
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "aeronca" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to aeronca+u...@westmont.edu.
To post to this group, send email to aer...@westmont.edu.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/westmont.edu/group/aeronca/.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/westmont.edu/d/optout.
David Polley
Richard Murray
Lucy Ooi
Richard Murray
Lucy Ooi
Harvey Brock
Sent: Thursday, November 8, 2018 3:45 PM
To: aer...@westmont.edu
Subject: Re: [f-AA] uAvionix ADS-B Group Purchase Option
Richard Murray
Lucy Ooi
j...@joea.com
Richard Murray
Keith Kie
'Ken McClelland' via aeronca
<FILE23631.JPG>
Richard Murray
'Ken McClelland' via aeronca
j...@joea.com
From: "Richard Murray" [murra...@gmail.com]
Date: 11/08/2018 05:32 PM
To: aer...@westmont.edu
Subject: Re: [f-AA] uAvionix ADS-B Group Purchase Option
j...@joea.com
Matt Slezak
Roger Anderson
The day a non transponder, battery powered Out is approved for an 11AC, let me know. I'll grab me one. But yea, I never fly in airspace requiring a transponder now.. and actually don't need too around here. roger
On November 8, 2018 at 6:01 PM Matt Slezak <matthew...@gmail.com> wrote:
I take it everyone here flies in controlled airspace with a transponder. Otherwise with no alternator you don't need ADS-B and you don't need a transponder. If everyone already knew that apologies.BTW look at Gulf Coast Avionics - the price on the tail light is around the minimum posted "discounted" price (a whole $50 higher). They don't charge shipping or tax either. That one is not TSOd yet but I didn't check the wing lights but imagine the price is also good. They seem to be the cheapest on a lot of airplane electronics. Bought a portable icom radio and 2 person intercom there a week ago.Matt/11ACOn Thu, Nov 8, 2018, 4:53 PM 'Ken McClelland' via aeronca < aer...@westmont.edu wrote:Guess I should have googled before answering - looks like it’s backhttps://www.faa.gov/nextgen/equipadsb/rebate/
Sent from my iPhoneThey are talking about restarting it. I don’t know where that standsKen
Sent from my iPhonethere was but it is no longer available , at lest that is what the FAA guys said at the last IA meeting-----Original Message-----
From: "Keith Kie" [ keit...@gmail.com]
Date: 11/08/2018 05:45 PM
To: aer...@westmont.edu
Subject: Re: [f-AA] uAvionix ADS-B Group Purchase Option
There's a rebate?
Matt Slezak
Mark Peterson
Sent: Thursday, November 8, 2018 4:07 PM
The day a non transponder, battery powered Out is approved for an 11AC, let me know. I'll grab me one. But yea, I never fly in airspace requiring a transponder now.. and actually don't need too around here. roger
Matt Slezak
David Rude
From: "" [j...@joea.com]
Date: 11/08/2018 06:57 PM
To: aer...@westmont.edu
Subject: Re: [f-AA] uAvionix ADS-B Group Purchase Option
Date: 11/08/2018 05:45 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [f-AA] uAvionix ADS-B Group Purchase Option
Date: 11/08/2018 05:32 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [f-AA] uAvionix ADS-B Group Purchase Option
 |
Virus-free. www.avast.com |
--
fearless Aeronca Aviators mailing list
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "aeronca" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to aeronca+u...@westmont.edu.
To post to this group, send email to aer...@westmont.edu.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/westmont.edu/group/aeronca/.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/westmont.edu/d/optout.
David Rude
From: "Matt Slezak" [matthew...@gmail.com]
Date: 11/08/2018 08:01 PM
To: aer...@westmont.edu
Subject: Re: [f-AA] uAvionix ADS-B Group Purchase Option
Yep, until then my Stratux kit keeps my eyes inside the cockpit too much already! It does tell me that for VFR work, we are going to have to really use our eyes outside the cockpit because there are going to be a lot of people assuming we show up on their little screens and that is all they are going to watch because they grew up with video games. If you haven't been flying like you ride a motorcycle (assume you are invisible) now is a good time to start!
Sent: Thursday, November 8, 2018 4:07 PM
The day a non transponder, battery powered Out is approved for an 11AC, let me know. I'll grab me one. But yea, I never fly in airspace requiring a transponder now.. and actually don't need too around here. roger
--
fearless Aeronca Aviators mailing list
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "aeronca" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to aeronca+u...@westmont.edu.
To post to this group, send email to aer...@westmont.edu.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/westmont.edu/group/aeronca/.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/westmont.edu/d/optout.
--
fearless Aeronca Aviators mailing list
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "aeronca" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to aeronca+u...@westmont.edu.
To post to this group, send email to aer...@westmont.edu.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/westmont.edu/group/aeronca/.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/westmont.edu/d/optout.
Harvey Brock
Was that class A? I thought it’s class C with ATC checking operation.
I bet I better pack lunch if I plan to get the Champ in class A. That might be even more fun while flying VFR while using a Sport Pilot certificate.
Harvey, who is learning the new ABCs.
Sent: Thursday, November 8, 2018 7:13:44 PM
David Rude
Roger Anderson
Many years ago, we would occasionally have jets climbing out of L.A. NE bound, while passing over the mountains out there, report passing sailplanes that were up in the flight levels. That was before transponder requirements (and what is now called class A, previously known as area of positive control) didn't start until 24K'. They would be doing mountain wave soaring. No Aeroncas reported though. roger
Richard Murray
Jim Holdeman
Hello All,
This is a clarification and/or update of the uAvionix EOC Group Purchase Plan.
Attached is the FAA AC 20-165B ADS-B Acceptance Flight Test Guidelines. Starting on page 41 of this 113pg AC is what you have to perform the acceptance flight. You do not have to be in Class C or B airspace. You need to be in the area of a ground station. All NexGen is doing is getting your ADS-B data into the computer system. ADS-B works gathering data from satellites, ground stations, and radar…even other ADS-B OUT compliant aircraft that are receiving and transmitting your ADS-B data . Once you complete your flight you go to FAA.gov and verify your system has transmitted the required data.
You can reserve your spot for the $500 rebate in advance of your ADS-B purchase. FAA.gov has all the rules to get your rebate.
We at General Aviation Solutions/Rose Aircraft Services and the Ercoupe Owners Club (EOC) worked with uAvionix to provide anyone wanting ADS-B OUT compliance for a certified airplane a fully TSO’d and backed with an STC, self-configuring, easy to install solution called The EOC Group Purchase Plan. It is good for a 13.75% discount off retail any combination of uAvionix skyBeacon, tailBeacon, skySensor, or skyLight ADS-B certified units. Attached are the retail prices for all of the uAvionix ADS-B offerings for certified airplanes.
skyBeacon is already certified. tailBeacon and skySensor are waiting for the FAA “paperwork” certifying the STC process. All are already fully TSO’d approved. Based on estimates, it appears tailBeacon and skySensor’s STC process will be approved by the end of November or first week of December. THIS IS AN ESTIMATE ONLY! All of the uAvionix products have been approved for experimentals and LSA aircraft for over a year now. Yes, they are cheaper because uAvionix did not have to go through the FAA quagmire of glacial decision-making and official approval process for certified aircraft.
The electrical requirements for the uAvionix products are miniscule in comparison to one incandescent nav light. All of their ADS-B OUT products contain it’s own altitude encoding device far more accurate that your transponder altitude encoder or altimeter. Also, they contain their own WAAS GPS source which also reports altitude far more accurately than your transponder’s altitude encoder or altimeter. Technically, the uAvionix ADS-B OUT products can provide all the required NexGen data as a stand-alone product. However, the FAA only recognizes transponder equipped airplanes providing this data at this time. Transponders with their altitude encoders use up a huge amount of power especially when interrogated by radar. This is why the FAA only allows transponders aboard aircraft with engine powered electrical systems. uAvionix products worked for over 12 hours continuously using a standard garden tractor battery transmitting and receiving ADS-B info with the LED nav lights and LED strobes on. However, with the current regs, all aircraft using ATC/NexGen system must be transponder equipped which requires an engine driven electrical source.
When tailBeacon and skySensor are certified, we are waiting 2 additional weeks to gather the money from those who have made a commitment to the EOC Group Purchase Plan. You do not have to be an EOC member. Currently, there are 125+ orders through this opportunity. If you purchased tailBeacon for your certified airplane through this group Purchase Plan with a retail price of $1995, you would get a $274.31 discount. Combined with the FAA $500 rebate, your net cost to be fully ADS-B OUT compliant is $1220.69 via tailBeacon. Look at all the options available to you as there are several.
All uAvionix ADS-B units are self-configuring. They will self-configure to your transponder. You will know that it is working properly BEFORE you fly your acceptance flight. The process takes between 43 and 47 seconds to complete.
Look at all of the attachments as they will answer most if not all your questions. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me. This opportunity is available to all F-A-A members.
Sincerely,
Jim
Jim Holdeman
Director of Development
General Aviation Solutions
Division of Rose Aircraft Services
KMEZ Mena, AR, 71953
Virus-free. www.avast.com
