SOUTH SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Wipaire has launched a program designed to take the hassle out of ADS-B compliance for general aviation aircraft owners and operators.
The program features a stress-free quoting process with a simple questionnaire. Interested owners need only fill out a form on the Wipaire website, at EAA Airventure Oshkosh, or other events.
Based on the information submitted, Wipaire’s avionics staff will generate three quotes for each aircraft, encompassing a range of compliance and functionality options.
Owners may then select and reserve an installation slot with a deposit (a variety of payment options are available), according to company officials.
Shop slots are now available from August 2016 through December 2018 in Wipaire’s South St. Paul, Minnesota, and Leesburg, Florida, locations.
Exact installation times may vary based upon equipment selected, but most general aviation aircraft can expect to become ADS-B compliant in one to two weeks, Wipaire officials said.
“Make no mistake about it, there is not enough shop capacity to retrofit all of the affected aircraft by Jan. 1, 2020,” said Steve Fuchs, Senior Director of Aircraft Services. “Utilizing our slot system, owners can ensure available capacity and prevent down time before 2020 arrives.”
“We understand that figuring out how to become ADS-B compliant is complicated and confusing for many pilots and owners,” added Rick Wahlman, Avionics Manager at Wipaire’s South St. Paul, Minnesota headquarters. “Our goal is to make the process as simple as possible by collecting aircraft information and then leveraging our many relationships with leading avionics manufacturers to present custom-tailored solutions to the owner.”
“Every aircraft owner or operator’s mission is a little different,” continued Jeremy Warner, Avionics Supervisor at Wipaire’s Leesburg, Florida service center. “We’re here to gain an understanding of what each individual needs their aircraft to do and to make smart recommendations to fit their mission.”
Wipaire has relationships with most major avionics manufacturers, including Appareo, Avidyne, Aspen Avionics, Bendix/King, Chelton Flight Systems, Flight Display Systems, Freeflight Systems, Garmin International, L-3 Avionics, PS Engineering, S-Tec, Sandel Avionics, and WSI Weather Driven Business Solutions.
To kick the program off, Wipaire is offering a Lightspeed Zulu PFX active noise reduction headset (a $1,175 value) to the first five customers who make a deposit on a slot. The headset will be delivered with the aircraft upon completion. Deposits will be applied to the aircraft’s final bill.
Owners must select avionics equipment 60 days prior to aircraft arrival at either Wipaire location or earlier.
More than 100,000 general aviation aircraft will be required to comply with the ADS-B Out mandate. The FAA reports only 20% or less of the fleet is currently ready for the Jan. 1, 2020 deadline, which the administration is holding firm, citing adequate time to equip from the 2010 announcement as well as the introduction of numerous more affordable systems.
Owners not in compliance with the mandate by Jan. 1, 2020 will encounter reduced airspace access. To accelerate ADS-B compliance, the FAA announced a limited-quantity $500 rebate, which will become available in fall 2016. Owners may work with Wipaire to select equipment in advance and then ensure their installation date is scheduled within 90 days of the rebate reservation per the FAA rules.
For owners who wish to avoid the wait and rush to claim the FAA rebate, $500 instant rebates are available from Wipaire partners Avidyne and Freeflight Systems.
Wipaire’s avionics team will consult aircraft owners and operators to help them select the best options, including equipment and incentives, company officials noted.