“Hey Bob,
I just had an opportunity to read your report. Paying you is the very best money I have ever spent in aviation. JUST WHAT I WAS LOOKING TO OBTAIN!!”
Mike Brown, 2003 Cessna T182T, Michael Edwin Madison Aircraft, Chattanooga, TN 7/19
ADS-B On the Cheap – April 2018
Reprint from Cessna Owners and Pipers Magazines-April 2018
My first article on ADS-B appeared in the February 2015 issue of this magazine. In that article, we discussed ADS-B basics, and in the subsequent March edition we reviewed the products that were available at the time. As expected, the marketplace has expanded considerably since then, yet cries for a cheaper ADS-B solution continue to echo through the halls of avionics shops everywhere. Naturally, some owners won’t be happy until someone introduces a portable GPS with ADS-B “In” and “Out” for $995! That’s not going to happen, but ADS-B “Out” compliance is getting cheaper. Today, even Garmin is involved, and that’s something I did not anticipate. I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it here: we often think of Garmin for cutting-edge technology, but the word “affordable” is seldom connected. Suffice it to say I’m a bit surprised to be including Garmin in an article on cheap ADS-B!
From 2014-2016 and throughout most of 2017, it appears that the average GA aircraft owner hasn’t been taking ADS-B very seriously. However, it’s becoming increasing apparent that it’s time they do. Avionics shops reported a serious upturn in their fourth quarter business and they’re pointing to ADS-B as the reason. In fact, many avionics shops report that they are booked out three to four months in advance and it’s not likely to get much better before the January 1, 2020, deadline.
ADS-B Review
Before we talk about the affordable options that exist today, let’s review some of the basics as well as a few terms relevant to your ADS-B purchase.
First of all, let me remind you that the requirement to meet the ADS-B mandate is for ADS-B “Out” only. ADS-B “Out” requires a WAAS-corrected GPS position source (generally accurate to about seven feet) plus information about the status of your flight as provided by your GPS, including your current Altitude and Velocity (Groundspeed from GPS not Airspeed) combined with your aircraft’s information. This data is delivered into the ATC system by either a Mode S ES (Extended Squitter) transponder or a universal access transceiver or transmitter (UAT). Mode S transponders operate on 1090 MHz, which has become the international standard. However, our FAA decided that GA aircraft flying below 18,000 feet could operate on 978 MHz and use a UAT. Conversely, aircraft flying in the U.S. above 18,000 feet must use the 1090 option. Therefore, ADS-B in U.S. airspace is a dual frequency situation. If you’re receiving ADS-B on 978 MHz only (a UAT) and you’re sharing airspace with a commercial aircraft on 1090, you’ll see their location, altitude and velocity via a rebroadcast from ATC, which we are told arrives seconds later. The data is more reliable if you are transmitting an ADS-B Out beacon. However, this rebroadcast comes from the ground, so if you’re flying low or outside the range of an ADS-B ground station, you may not see that traffic.
Surprised? ADS-B is not perfect, and this is actually an argument against “cheap” ADS-B and in favor of a dual ADS-B “In”solutions. If you fly in terrain, for example, a cheap, single-band ADS-B In unit (usually the cheaper ones) may not be a wise move. The other message here is to fly higher if you’ve got a single-band ADS-B In unit aboard. “All in One” units are available in a UAT or a Mode S ES transponder, transmit or their normal frequencies but have dual frequency ADS-B “IN” and simultaneously receive traffic information on both 1090 and 978 MHz, thus you are not dependent on a rebroadcast. These units are often twice what our budget goal is here and they do not qualify for this discussion!
In short, in order to meet the ADS-B requirement you simply need to have a certified Mode S ES transponder or UAT “Out” with WAAS GPS providing certified position (either internally or interfaced) on board by January 1, 2020.
If you still have questions about ADS-B, I think you’ll find this link helpful: http://bit.ly/FAA_NextGen.
ADS-B “Out” Options for Less than $2,500
Each of the following four manufacturers (in alphabetical order) offers ADS-B “Out” units for an equipment price of less than $2,500. Since I believe the low-end ADS-B “Out” market will consist largely of aircraft owners who do not already have WAAS on board, you’ll notice that all of these options, surprisingly feature built-in WAAS. Installation cost on these systems varies depending on where your installer puts them, though all will work with your existing transponder.
FreeFlight Systems RANGR 978 “Lite”- Equipment price: $1,695
The FreeFlight RANGR 978 Lite is a remote-mounted, transmit “Out” only UAT with built-in WAAS GPS operating on 978 MHz. It works with any Mode C transponder and comes with both the ADS-B and GPS antennas and (if needed) a control head, which may be required with some Mode C transponders. As a remote box, the RANGR 978 Lite requires the installation of a belly and roof-top antenna, so I would estimate installation time at 16-20 hours ($1,500-$1,800). Install price is always one of the downsides of a remote unit. However, the equipment price quoted here represents a recent reduction that I suspect is a response to the introduction of Garmin’s new unit.
Note: the word “Lite” simply means it comes with a basic metal case with clear coat, along with a few other minor features that don’t really matter to the ADS-B shopper “on the cheap.” Learn more at: http://bit.ly/RANGR_978.
Garmin GDL-82 UAT – Equipment price: $1,795
Prior to Oshkosh 2017, the cheapest ADS-B “Out” option from Garmin was their GTX-335 Mode S transponder. It has built-in WAAS GPS and lists at $2,995. At that price point, however, Garmin has thinned their dealer margins to be more competitive by requiring their dealers to sell it at a below what I consider normal mark-up. The ADS-B pricing game is on, and Garmin is playing hardball with competitors like Appareo’s ESG!
At Oshkosh, Garmin surprised me by introducing the GDL-82 UAT “Out” (complete with an antenna that works with any Mode C transponder) for $1,795. As mentioned above, I think FreeFlight reduced the price on their lowest priced ADS-B option to $1,695 in response. The battle for your ADS-B dollar has begun! Like any remote unit, install cost is a bit higher, but the GDL-82 requires only one top-mount antenna. I would estimate installation at 12-14 hours ($1,100-$1,300). Learn more at: http://bit.ly/Garmin_GDL_82.
NOTE: The following ADS-B “Out” solutions meet the sub-$2,500 requirement but are not currently available for certified aircraft. I do, however, believe that certified versions will be available prior to the 2020 deadline. I’m also confident that the installation of these units will be pretty simple, making them a decent last-minute ADS-B solution.
Levil Aviation “Beacon” – Estimated Equipment price: less than $2,500 (with WAAS GPS)
The Levil Beacon (with or without GPS) is available now for the experimental/light sport market and is unique in its configuration. The Beacon is a UAT on 978 MHz that mounts on the belly of the aircraft. It looks similar to a transponder/ADS-B antenna, but the “works” (so to speak) are mounted in the base of the unit, thus there is no remote box to mount. For aircraft owners who already have WAAS on board, the Beacon will interface to that for certified position source. On the other hand, owners without WAAS will have to use the Beacon with internal GPS, which also means they’ll need to install a roof-top antenna. The Levil Beacon (including built-in WAAS GPS, a roof-top GPS antenna and harness) is currently available for the experimental/light sport market at $1,889. Note, however, the internal GPS does not currently meet TSO standards and will need to be updated for the certified market.
Ricardo Leon from Levil tells me that the Beacon will likely not be ready and approved for certified aircraft until late 2018 or early 2019, though the final certified price should be under $2,500. Learn more at: http://bit.ly/Levil_Beacon.
uAvionix “skyBeacon” Wingtip UAT – Estimated Equipment price: currently $1,499 (non-certified)
While this writer does not give out awards for creative design, you might want to! The uAvionix skyBeacon is a brilliant solution that will provide certified ADS-B “Out” to meet the mandate by simply replacing your port wingtip position light. The skyBeacon is a self-contained UAT with internal WAAS GPS/LED nav light that utilizes your existing nav light wiring harness. Because the skyBeacon utilizes your existing mounting location, breaker and wiring, there are no airframe modifications or additional antennas to install. Additionally, the unit is automatically configured for your aircraft with the skyBeacon’s mobile app. The skyBeacon works with any mode C transponder and even supports “anonymous” mode. Rumor has it that uAvionix may also offer a matching unit for the starboard nav light, but unfortunately, rumor is all I have to go on. My attempts to reach uAvionix went unreturned, so my questions regarding price and timeframe for the certified version (reportedly, in the works) went unanswered by my deadline. The skyBeacon is currently available for the experimental/light sport market for $1,499. Although the certified price will likely be a little higher, this unit certainly fits the bill as good last-minute ADS-B installation. It’s also likely to win the battle for the lowest total cost (installed) solution for meeting the ADS-B “Out” mandate. Stay tuned on this one! Learn more at: http://bit.ly/uAvionix_SkyBeacon.
NOTE: The Trig TT31 Mode S ES Transponder probably deserves a mention here. At about $2300 retail, it directly replaces an existing KT-76A transponder and if you already have WAAS on board, you’re looking at only about 2-3 hours ($185-$275) labor to meet the ADS-B mandate. Unfortunately, the cheap WAAS GPS source that I hinted might be coming from Trig isn’t likely to happen so if you have a KT-76A now and WAAS available, the Trig TT31 makes this list.
ADS-B “In” Receiver Options for Less than $600
When we talk about ADS-B “In” on the cheap, we’re talking about using a smart tablet (iPad or Android) as the display for WX and Traffic. Here’s a list of ADS-B “In” units for under $600.
Appareo Systems Stratus 1S ADS-B Single Band Receiver – $449
The combination of the Apple iPad with ForeFlight and the popular Appareo Stratus 2S (dual band) ADS-B receiver is still likely the most popular choice to date. At $899 the Stratus 2S does not make this list, but their 1S single band model does. Unlike its big brother, the Stratus 1S receives traffic on 978 MHz only and is designed to work with ForeFlight only. You’ll be dependent on “re-broadcasts” of 1090 traffic with this one.
Appareo is not showing this unit on their website, so here’s the link to Sporty’s: http://bit.ly/Stratus_1S.
Dual Electronics XGPS170D Dual Band ADS-B Receiver – $569
The Dual XGPS170D is a panel-top portable that receives traffic on both 978 and 1090 MHz and FIS WX. It also has built-in antennas (vs. those sticking up from the box), and for someone who is not a fan of panel-top obstructions, that’s a good thing. It has a rechargeable battery and USB cable with charger. Learn more at: http://bit.ly/Dual_XGPS170D.
Open Flight Solutions FlightBox Dual Band ADS-B Receiver – $225
The FlightBox is also a dual band receiver, so the price is right. The unit comes with a USB power cable (so it’s hardwired), and you can add a cigarette lighter adapter for $15. (A five-hour external USB battery is also available for $35, and you can purchase the Flightbox Plus with AHRS for $350). Again, the price is right, but with its two rather large external antennas, the FlightBox is a bit intrusive on top of the panel – and even more so with the external battery. Learn more at: http://bit.ly/FlightBox.
Garmin GDL-39 ADS-B Dual Band Receiver – $599
The Garmin GDL-39 has been a popular unit from its inception. It works with Garmin Pilot software on either an iPad or Android device. The standard configuration includes a power cable to plug into your cigarette lighter plug, though an optional external battery pack is available for $100. Remote and 3D models are available at a higher price point. Learn more at: http://bit.ly/Garmin_GDL39.
uAvionix Scout Dual band ADS-B Receiver – $199
We’re now looking at the smallest and lowest priced dual band ADS-B receiver on the market, and it comes from the same folks that brought you the amazing skyBeacon ADS-B “Out” unit we discussed above. The Scout is small, receives traffic on both 978 and 1090 MHz (WX is always on 978) and it attaches to a side window or windscreen with suction cups. It works exclusively with ForeFlight and does not have an internal GPS; therefore you must have a GPS in your iPad. Additionally, there is no internal battery, so you’ll need to be connected to a USB charger port. This unit appears to have been imagined by ForeFlight but built and marketed by uAvionix. This just might be the “on the cheap” ADS-B “In” unit you were thinking of! Learn more at: http://bit.ly/uAvionix_Scout.
Imagine the Possibilities
As you weigh your ADS-B options, consider the following scenario:
You purchase the uAvionix skyBeacon, install it on your aircraft and then add the Scout portable ADS-B receiver to your existing iPad with ForeFlight. Theoretically, your total ADS-B “Out” and “In” investment (including about four hours for installation) could be as little as $2,200! Of course, that’s provided the certified version of the skyBeacon comes in at the price of $1,499, the current price for the experimental/light sport version. But even if it comes in at $2,000 retail, you’d still have dual band ADS-B “In” and “Out” for less than $2,600 installed!
When we started this whole ADS-B discussion, the talk was that ADS-B would cost at least $5,000 to achieve. Now we’re at half that cost, and that should make you “on the cheap” ADS-B shoppers pretty happy!
Until next time … Safe and Happy “Cheap” Flying!
Bob Hart – www.AvionixHelp.com