A new video from the folks at FunPlacesToFly.com shows Tom Ferraro, an A&P/IA and uAvionix Qualified Installer, installing a skyBeacon on the “Sky Chicken,” the website’s 1969 Cessna 172.
“The skyBeacon is a revolutionary new way to equip ADS-B,” says Smitty Smith, the force behind FunPlacesToFly.com. “Simply replace your existing navigation light with skyBeacon and you are ADS-B compliant for 2020.”
I’ve installed several of these as well as several panel mount ADS-b transponders. It is the easiest and simplest installation available but I can assure you it’s not a 10-minute installation, even just the physical part.
Most airplanes require some minor modification to make it fit properly so figure a minimum of 30 minutes up to 2 hours for a more complicated install like a Beech or Rockwell airplane or others with covered nav light assemblies. It will take 10+ minutes just to read and understand the instructions for a first time installer.
Then add another 15+ minutes for downloading the app to a smartphone and programming.
The 337 and associated research and mailing prep will probably take close to an hour.
It’s a great little system but advertising it as a 10-minute install is misleading.
This installation seems simple, enough. (I assume this is the UAT-out solution, not the 1090 ES solution, true?). If so, it seems like it provides an ultra-simple, low-cost ADS-B solution to meet the intent of the regulatory mandate, but not much more, I.e., an ADS-B “In” solution.
A couple of thoughts. As it stands, the technician doing the install left the airplane with an LED on one side (RED) and an incandescent on the other (GREEN). This will result in an uneven balance. I would have suggested that he install a combo LED / Strobe on the green side, and hooked the strobes up on both sides to the anti-collision flasher. That way, the airplane would have LEDs on both wings, plus strobe lights on both wings.
Can anyone comment, why isn’t someone or some organization advocating equipping UAVs with a miniature version of this device, then have pilots (in real aircraft) “see it” on an ADS-B “in” display, perhaps nothing more than using ForeFlight and ADS-B “in” on an iPad? That would certainly provide an increased level of situational awareness. I’m curious why such a concept is not being pursued.
Gary,
All the things you mentioned are already happening. Uavionix is going to release a matching green position/strobe light for the right side of the aircraft. uavionix.com/products/skylight/
The same company also makes miniature UAV ADS-B out modules. uavionix.com/uas/#TX
I wonder how this option for ADS-B (Out and domestic only) will survive the future with support, software updates for future changes to ADS-B, etc. compared to Garmin, for example.
The other issue is pairing this with older transponders that are no longer supported with parts. I would think the best option, economically in the long run, might be to replace the existing transponder with a newer, feature rich version, rather than eventually having to buy a new transponder when the old one fails and can’t be repaired. Is the gamble worth it?