Bad Elf has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund development of a new Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast receiver it plans to sell for $299—roughly half the cost of existing units.
Unlike the Garmin GDL-39 and Stratus, which only work with Garmin Pilot and ForeFlight apps respectively, Bad Elf said its receiver will show traffic and weather on multiple aviation apps. The company hopes to raise $500,000 by essentially pre-selling 1,500 receivers.
“It’s all or nothing,” said Brett Hackleman, co-founder and chief technology officer at Bad Elf. “If we don’t hit or exceed the goal, backers won’t get charged. We think it will be successful. Pilots are definitely frustrated by the current price points and app exclusivity.”
Bad Elf said it has tested its ADS-B receivers with aviation apps made by ForeFlight, Jeppesen, WingX, FlyQ, and others.
Bad Elf has provided aviation-grade GPS for the iPad and other devices since 2010.
Company officials said they’ve been frustrated that only 10 percent of the general aviation community is currently using ADS-B and its safety enhancing benefits such as in-cockpit weather and traffic.
Bad Elf said its receivers also will offer an option of a built-in AHRS that provides aircraft attitude information for an additional $150.
