TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft - ADS-B Discussions

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HomeHomeDiscussionsDiscussionsADS-B Discussio...ADS-B Discussio...TSO skyBeacon - Certified AircraftTSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft
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7/9/2018 6:41 AM
 

John,

Love the dunk-tank idea! Hilarious!

Glad to hear it is already improving with later production runs...

Did you install it yourself? How long did it take?

Also, what paperwork was involved in having the FAA acknowledge it? Was that included in the kit?

Finally, did you have to go flight test it (still) for it to "take" in the system?  I think I need to make a checklist...

Thanks for your good PIREP.  Mike N714AJ

 
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7/14/2018 2:46 PM
 
Michael Marra wrote:

John,

Love the dunk-tank idea! Hilarious!

Glad to hear it is already improving with later production runs...

Did you install it yourself? How long did it take?

Also, what paperwork was involved in having the FAA acknowledge it? Was that included in the kit?

Finally, did you have to go flight test it (still) for it to "take" in the system?  I think I need to make a checklist...

Thanks for your good PIREP.  Mike N714AJ

Yes, since I fly an EAB (Zenith STOL CH750), I installed the non-TSO'd skyBeacon myself.  The installation is pretty much as-advertised: if you were replacing the typical nav light installation and the bolt pattern matched, it literally would take only 5-10 minutes to install it. (Fasteners and wire crimp connectors are included.)  In my initial installation, I was replacing an AveoLED nav/strobe that had a custom mounting plate, so I had to drill a new bolt pattern in the AveoLED's mounting plate.  "Click-Bond" nut plates were included with the skyBeacon, so no riveting was necessary.  So, it took me about 30 minutes or so to remove the nav/strobe, drill the new pattern, and bond the nut plates.  Since the Click-Bond nutplates' adhesive needed time to cure, I waited 'til the next day and then finished the installation in a few minutes.

Since I was flying an EAB and installed a non-TSO'd ADS-B, there was no FAA paperwork as I wasn't applying for the rebate program, etc.  All that was required in my case was to go fly and request online a Public ADS-B Performance Report (PAPR).  The PAPR checks multiple parameters of your ADS-B's output and is quickly available after a flight.  If the report is satisfactory, then you're good-to-go!  As I mentioned, I kept getting "Baro Alt" errors until I made a custom mount to relocate the skyBeacon a bit forward of my wingtip for clear transponder reception.  Since then, all's good!  However, the new model, which will be identical whether experimental or TSO'd, uses the "power transcoder" and this eliminates transponder reception problems with certain wingtips.

John

 

 
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7/14/2018 6:45 PM
 

I am waiting for the "SkyBeacon" to be TSO'ed because my wingtips have a recessed-in strobe lights, so no joy there, but I think the tail mounted would work even better.

I am in no hurry, and will not plunk what will be over $2000 bucks, when all is said and done, if EVER, on any products out there, promises are cheap.

Thanks Mike

 
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7/31/2018 8:58 PM
 

I to am waiting for the approvals on the Tail Beacon, though I would like to see the AML list for the wing tip version to see if they worked something out for all the '70's Cessnas with the dropped wingtips.  For my Grumman with it's enclosed wing tip lights I expect the only answer would be the tail version.  If that includes a strobe, then I could eliminate the flashing beacon on top of the rudder?

 
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8/9/2018 10:02 PM
 

Anyone heard any updates on the Skybeacon certification?  I was told by an avionics tech he said he heard at OSH that it was being held up by Garmin with propriety issues around the transponder code and altitude sniffing technology.  This was something that was developed by NavWorx, and I thought they got a patented on it.  Maybe after they got shut down they sold it to Garmin (god for bid)?

 
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