ADS-B collaborations mean more options for pilots

Among the many product announcements at EAA AirVenture 2015 were several involving Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). The FAA has mandated ADS-B Out equipage beginning Jan. 1, 2020, to fly in most airspace where a transponder is required today. While pilots still have many questions about this mandated equipage, and the best or most economical way to meet the mandate, avionics manufacturers and dealers noted much stronger customer interest in the technology this year.

Most noteworthy among the ADS-B announcements were two that could signal the beginning of a trend toward increased collaboration and interoperability between products.

Garmin opens Flight Stream to ForeFlight

Users of the popular ForeFlight app will be able to receive ADS-B In weather and traffic information from the Garmin GDL 84 and GDL 88 ADS-B receivers through Garmin’s Flight Stream 210/110 wireless bridge. Previously, only the Garmin Pilot app had that capability.

“This came together pretty quickly over the last few months,” said Tyson Weihs, ForeFlight co-founder and CEO. “Our customers want greater connectivity, and this provides it in a pretty powerful way.” Carl Wolf, Garmin vice president for aviation sales and marketing, welcomed ForeFlight into the company’s connectivity ecosystem.

ForeFlight users cannot upload flight plans into Garmin avionics as Garmin Pilot users can, but both companies said that they will be adding capabilities in the future. Garmin will continue to update and enhance the Garmin Pilot app.

Aspen, L-3 partner on ADS-B options

Aspen Avionics and L-3 Aviation Products are collaborating on an integrated system that combines Aspen primary and multifunction displays with L-3’s Lynx NGT-9000 MultiLink Surveillance System. 

The Lynx NGT-9000 is a Mode S extended squitter transponder that provides ADS-B Out compliance, combined with 978 UAT ADS-B In capability, an integrated touchscreen display, and an internal WAAS GPS. The NGT-9000 shares ADS-B traffic and weather data with Aspen Evolution displays, giving pilots additional options to display the data.

“Aspen and L-3 share a common philosophy; we firmly believe that open systems create more opportunities for collaboration,” said John Uczekaj, Aspen president and CEO. “When avionics manufacturers work together, it creates a culture of innovation where the outcome can benefit the entire general aviation community.”

“Aspen is exactly the type of forward-looking company we enjoy partnering with,” said Larry Riddle, L-3 Aviation Products vice president of marketing and sales for business, regional, and general aviation. “The entire community benefits when avionics manufacturers work together to bring integrated and affordable technologies to the cockpit.”

Will these collaborations lead to more open system architecture and collaboration in the ADS-B marketplace? Time will tell—stay tuned.

Other ADS-B news

FreeFlight Systems announced that its line of RANGR ADS-B transceivers now can use Garmin GNS 430W and GNS 530W GPS navigators as approved GPS position sources for ADS-B Out compliance. That will increase equipage flexibility and provide cost savings for owners of aircraft currently equipped with GNS 430W/530W navigators, the company said.

Trig Avionics announced a significant expansion of its FAA STC program for the company’s TT31, a Mode S transponder with extended squitter capability. All Garmin GTN navigators have been approved as ADS-B Out position sources, said Andy Davis, Trig Avionics CEO. In addition, the list of approved aircraft for Trig’s approved model list supplemental type certificate (AML STC) for the TT31 has been expanded to nearly 600 models. The STC for Trig’s similar TT22, a remote-mount transponder, should expand soon to 350 aircraft and eventually will cover the same models as the TT31, the company said.

L-3 Aviation Products’ innovative Lynx NGT-9000 MultiLink Surveillance System models have been added to the AML STC for a large number of general aviation aircraft, allowing owners to consider it for ADS-B Out and ADS-B In applications. The NGT-9000 had received FAA Technical Standard Order authorization earlier this year.

Dynon Avionics’ new SV-GPS-2020 GPS receiver/antenna provides experimental amateur-built and light sport owners a 2020-compliant ADS-B Out GPS position source for new and existing SkyView and Advanced AF-5000 series products. The $590 unit is a drop-in replacement for the existing SV-GPS-250 receiver.

A comprehensive round-up of AOPA’s AirVenture news can be found online. AOPA also offers a wide variety of online ADS-B information and resources.