ADS-B Rebate re-introduced and tailBeacon info
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 4:36 pm
The FAA has re-introduced their $500 rebate offer to owners who install ADS-B Out devices that meet the appropriate TSO and make a proving/demo-flight.
I had only just last week contacted my local avionics shop, intent on purchasing the Garmin GDL82 which slips between the existing transponder and it's antenna. The GDL 82 is advertised at approx. $2K, ...but my avionics shop stated that by the time they make the installation and certify it will cost approximately $4600!
They suggest I spend $5600 to upgrade to a Garmin Txdr which will do the same thing and enjoy the benefits of a new txdr instead of the risk of failure of old equipment. (My Narcos are 20 years old and never give a problem at all... of course that can be viewed in either light good/bad.)
I revisited the matter and came to investigate the uAvionics website regarding their navigation-light replacement ADS-B Out device and see they are offering their tailBeacon for approx. $2K with the installation being a simple minor-alteration since it merely replaces the tail nav light and consists of a self-contained WAAS-GPS, Nav-Light (LED), and the necessary antennas. The tailBeacon uses the navigation-light power-lead as a "data-bus" to communicate with the existing txdr/encoder to broadcast the necessary ADS-B Out. It is installed using a Bluetooth App to configure it. (Contrary to the wingtip device they offer which is already approved, the tailBeacon will not include anti-collision-lighting, but only the white nav light.) The company promises it to be available Nov. 15 and will charge the credit card when the item ships, and it will meet the TSO as does their wingtip product.
I have two airplanes, a 170B and a 172C, neither of which has a WAAS-GPS presently, both of which have Narco AT150 txdrs. I also have a spare serviceable AT150. So my personal leanings are to avoid having to spend $5K (times TWO...or $10K) for a device which retains my old txdrs (with their risks of old-age-failures)**. I am also not inclined to spend $10 (times TWO) for higher-capability New txdrs with ADS-B In... when I have not needed those services for any of the flying I've done in personal airplanes to-date... or to spend unknown $ for WAAS-GPS for what are basically VFR airplanes used for pleasure and light-business flying. (uAvionics also offer two other products which are self-contained "buddies" that will provide the ADS-B In benefits... the costs being about $1400. See their website if interested.) https://uavionix.com/ Aircraft Spruce also offers the uAvionics products online, as does several other sellers such as Gulf Coast, Dallas Avionics, etc etc.
I have the 170B in my own name, and in a stroke of luck, had registered the 172C in my wife's name.... which does not violate the FAA rule for one-rebate per owner. So with luck and the rebates, We should be able to meet the minimum ADS-B Out requirement for both airplanes for around $3K plus some fuel for the proving flights.
I thought this thread might be re-opened in light of these newer developments. What plans have you?
** I'm also thinking that the market will be deluged with used txdrs at very low prices shortly, and that existing Mode A/C txdrs will likely still be mfr'd… and that even if wrong, the newer txdrs will still be available at that time for replacments, if necessary. I admit, it would be nicer if I didn't have txdrs from a defunct mfr'r, however. Glad I already have spares.
I had only just last week contacted my local avionics shop, intent on purchasing the Garmin GDL82 which slips between the existing transponder and it's antenna. The GDL 82 is advertised at approx. $2K, ...but my avionics shop stated that by the time they make the installation and certify it will cost approximately $4600!
They suggest I spend $5600 to upgrade to a Garmin Txdr which will do the same thing and enjoy the benefits of a new txdr instead of the risk of failure of old equipment. (My Narcos are 20 years old and never give a problem at all... of course that can be viewed in either light good/bad.)
I revisited the matter and came to investigate the uAvionics website regarding their navigation-light replacement ADS-B Out device and see they are offering their tailBeacon for approx. $2K with the installation being a simple minor-alteration since it merely replaces the tail nav light and consists of a self-contained WAAS-GPS, Nav-Light (LED), and the necessary antennas. The tailBeacon uses the navigation-light power-lead as a "data-bus" to communicate with the existing txdr/encoder to broadcast the necessary ADS-B Out. It is installed using a Bluetooth App to configure it. (Contrary to the wingtip device they offer which is already approved, the tailBeacon will not include anti-collision-lighting, but only the white nav light.) The company promises it to be available Nov. 15 and will charge the credit card when the item ships, and it will meet the TSO as does their wingtip product.
I have two airplanes, a 170B and a 172C, neither of which has a WAAS-GPS presently, both of which have Narco AT150 txdrs. I also have a spare serviceable AT150. So my personal leanings are to avoid having to spend $5K (times TWO...or $10K) for a device which retains my old txdrs (with their risks of old-age-failures)**. I am also not inclined to spend $10 (times TWO) for higher-capability New txdrs with ADS-B In... when I have not needed those services for any of the flying I've done in personal airplanes to-date... or to spend unknown $ for WAAS-GPS for what are basically VFR airplanes used for pleasure and light-business flying. (uAvionics also offer two other products which are self-contained "buddies" that will provide the ADS-B In benefits... the costs being about $1400. See their website if interested.) https://uavionix.com/ Aircraft Spruce also offers the uAvionics products online, as does several other sellers such as Gulf Coast, Dallas Avionics, etc etc.
I have the 170B in my own name, and in a stroke of luck, had registered the 172C in my wife's name.... which does not violate the FAA rule for one-rebate per owner. So with luck and the rebates, We should be able to meet the minimum ADS-B Out requirement for both airplanes for around $3K plus some fuel for the proving flights.
I thought this thread might be re-opened in light of these newer developments. What plans have you?
** I'm also thinking that the market will be deluged with used txdrs at very low prices shortly, and that existing Mode A/C txdrs will likely still be mfr'd… and that even if wrong, the newer txdrs will still be available at that time for replacments, if necessary. I admit, it would be nicer if I didn't have txdrs from a defunct mfr'r, however. Glad I already have spares.