ADSB Choices

V

VMO/MMO

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Dec 6, 2021
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Hong Kong
Hello all, I am new here. Looking for some opinions. Just got a Decathalon and need to add ADSB to it. I have a couple of months to decide what to do. I can make it simple but possibly have to upgrade again later, or future proof myself and spend a bit more. (I may wind up flying in Canada where ADSB Diversity will be required so have to consider that and we are planning another move in a few years to New Zealand where 1090 ADSB is required).
Simple is leave the King Transponder in and put one of those 978 UAT Skybeacon on the wingtip. $1,900 and simple to install. May have to replace it in a few years but maybe there are better options available then.
The other idea is to buy a TailbeaconX and an AV-30C. I can't say I fancy the appearance of the TailbeaconX (although it does look like it might reduce VMC on a twin) and think it would be easily damaged. UAvionix however says it can be installed inside a fabric covered aircraft. I would feel more confident with that option if I heard reports from someone who had installed one inside their airplane. That would solve the ugly problem and for $2,500 I can comply with ADSB in USA and Diversity if we fly in Canada after the mandate there. I can also get rid of my transponder which probably saves a couple of pounds. I'd like to get rid of the gyros and vacuum system to save weight and the AV-30C will control the SkybeaconX. I am not sure I need a DG as it has a vertical card compass and there is heading in the AV-30C. Bundle for the AV-30C and the TailbeaconX is $4,100 or so. More work and money to install. Weight savings as no more vacuum system or transponder.
Airplane will need to be recovered in a couple of years so maybe it's better to go cheap now as it's easier when it's apart for more involved upgrades.
Ideas and opinions?
 
The best solution for ADS-B with diversity at the moment, IMHO, is the Garmin GTX-345D. It's expensive but it also contains a GPS receiver and AHRS so it can provide position and attitude to other devices like a Garmin flat panel or tablet devices connected via a Bluetooth link. The ADSB receiver also can send almost-real-time weather info to other devices in addition to being a pseudo-TCAS display.

There are a lot of options, this is just one if you want to bite the bullet, as they say, and do it once.

My Super Decathlon project is getting the non-diversity GTX-345 and an AV-30C but the data from the transponder will be displayed on a panel mounted iPad mini running Foreflight or Garmin Pilot.
 
I just drilled out the tail light bracket with a hole saw (put lots of masking tape in there to catch the chips) and installed the tailbeacon. No complaints ever.

For the magic I am using a handheld 295 programmed to have a glideslope to the surface and a horizontal flight director. I can disable all gyro instruments and shoot an approach, without vectors, to my home airport (with a check pilot). I have a certain amount of disdain for some of these more complicated systems - I have seen checked-out pilots touch the wrong spot on the screen and lose comm. Boo. There should be a button in all such aircraft that returns you to a six-pack, raw data, with knobs for frequencies.

I flew a Cirrus that would lose the flight director if you touched the trim button. Double-Boo!

And remember - I have an A320 type, so I am not a stranger to advanced avionics. It has its place, but maybe not in single pilot airplanes flying in the clouds at night.

Opinion.
 
True, but as a simple example:
I have actually programmed the Icom A-6 for local frequencies. I did so with manual in hand. Ask me to do that without a manual in front of me? Unable.
Ditto the Garmin 430 - I have been more or less up-to-speed on them, but would not dare to try an approach with one without an extensive training session. One of my students is checking out in a G-1000 Cirrus - he is very bright and has owned two earlier Cirrusi - yet he is undergoing extensive training.
Simpler is better.
Opinion.
 
I’m trying to avoid spending a lot of money on fancy avionics that need databases. After the ADSB problem is solved I may eventually replace the obsolete GPS/Com with a GTR 200 and maybe a VOR receiver. It seems like an iPad can suffice for the other stuff if I want. I do like the idea of an attitude indicator in case I got in clouds by mistake or decided to fly a single at night again.
as far as automation, it has a time and a place. I don’t mind following pink lines on the ND at work. Biggest weakness I see is guys skills at manual flight and basic aircraft control atrophy and they are very hesitant to disconnect all the magic when they should.
 
Or a μavionics wingtip or tail beacon - cheap, easy to install, does the job.
I lied - I am sticking a handheld 296 on the glare shield so I can be precise on the Coliseum route through LA. You want me to leave the mount? If I remove it you will see only two shiny #6 Screws. I will get a photo.
I think the panel is fine - all the gyros work. You need to disable them somehow if you plan on aerobatics. I bet the radio would allow navigation if an update is still available.
 
I think I will go the cheapest route for now and either regular tail beacon or wingtip version. Spend the money on flying and airworthiness things. That will get me through until the airplane gets recovered and a few years from now I can make the choice again with a better idea of where I am flying and hopefully some new and even better options to choose from.
No updates are available anymore for the GPS/COM, so it is just a com for now I guess.
 
Had to show off my tail beacon mount for a ‘46 7EC conv. I wanted to be able to keep the original bullet mount housing and add ADSB so I machined up an aluminum adapter. I’m going to recess it back in another 1/4” to clean it up a little more but it was a last minute addition to get me down to sun n fun and back without dodging airspace. 37.8 hrs round trip!
 

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