uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
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uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
Not to beat a dead horse, but I am looking at installing an ADS-B system in order to enable flight into the US after Jan 2020. Since we have no mandate in Canada yet (and nothing really on the horizon for GA), I am looking at installing the uAvionix SkyBeacon 978MHz UAT device in my PA28. Has anyone done this in Canada? It appears that after installing, I then have to do an evaluation flight test under US ADS-B coverage (SW Ontario should suffice) and send a Performance Report to the FAA. Does this sound right?
Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
I would wait and see before installing something that 100% will not meet our standards.
You do not actually need to have ADS-B OUT unless you fly in transponder airspace in the US after 2020.
You do not actually need to have ADS-B OUT unless you fly in transponder airspace in the US after 2020.
Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
You do need it to cross the border, though.
Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
I have installed a different uAvionix in my RV-10 that works very well with my iPad. The SkyBeacon is certainly is a good way to go for a certified aircraft, being the least expensive and taking only minutes to instal. After you have done a flight within ADS-B coverage, you obtain a flight report from the FAA via their website, for confirmation of serviceability. (Which I haven't done yet).flyguy73 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 17, 2019 1:20 pm Not to beat a dead horse, but I am looking at installing an ADS-B system in order to enable flight into the US after Jan 2020. Since we have no mandate in Canada yet (and nothing really on the horizon for GA), I am looking at installing the uAvionix SkyBeacon 978MHz UAT device in my PA28. Has anyone done this in Canada? It appears that after installing, I then have to do an evaluation flight test under US ADS-B coverage (SW Ontario should suffice) and send a Performance Report to the FAA. Does this sound right?
Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
Navcanada will be requiring ADSB within the next 5 years or so. As mentioned above it will be 1090 and they have not let off the dual antenna requirement.
If you go with the skybeacon - it will only cost you more in the future when you have to retrofit.
If you go with the skybeacon - it will only cost you more in the future when you have to retrofit.
Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
Thanks all for the responses. We do occasionally fly in Class C airspace in the US, so we were needing to do something prior to Jan 2020. The SkyBeacon seemed a reasonable solution for $2500 and 15 min install vs $5000+ and 1-2 day install for a new 1090ES transponder that still doesn't offer antenna diversity. A bottom mount antenna will not meet any eventual 1090ES Canadian requirement either so it seemed like the best solution today was to go for the 978MHz SkyBeacon now and decide what to once we get a mandate in Canada in the future.
On another note, anyone know whether we could carry both the 978 MHz unit AND a 1090ES space-based unit in the future to meet both mandates?
On another note, anyone know whether we could carry both the 978 MHz unit AND a 1090ES space-based unit in the future to meet both mandates?
Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
Most of us flying into the USA on fairly regular basis cannot wait for NavCan to make up their mind about ADS-B. Also if Canada is alone in requiring 1090ES, this market would be so small that no avionics developpers be interested in meeting the canadian 1090ES requirement for small aircraft. If Europe was to get on board with 1090ES, it could accelerate matters. But this is 5 to 10 years down the road in my estimation. Just my two cents.
Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
Canada is not alone in requiring 1090ES. Literally the rest of the planet outside the US is going to 1090, space-based ADS-B.
Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
I was not aware of this, but that indeed might be the solution. Hopefully when this gets approval, existing SkyBeacon owners will be able to upgrade to this version for a reduced cost.CpnCrunch wrote: ↑Fri Jul 19, 2019 9:24 am This might solve all our problems:
https://uavionix.com/testing-sbx/
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Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
1090ES systems are perfectly valid in the US FYI. Id go with a bottom mount 1090ES transponder for now from one of the few options that support diversity, and upgrade in the future, if and when TC mandates ADS-B.
Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
Except the diversity-supporting 1090ES systems are all in the $5-10k range right now...hardly an economical solution.Cessna 180 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 26, 2019 7:31 pm 1090ES systems are perfectly valid in the US FYI. Id go with a bottom mount 1090ES transponder for now from one of the few options that support diversity, and upgrade in the future, if and when TC mandates ADS-B.
Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
Exactly. And that's the price BEFORE installation. Figure another $1-2k for install or more if you don't already have a WAAS GPS source. For a $25k airplane, a $10k transponder is a deal-breaker. But, if I want to be compliant to fly in Class C airspace in the US, then I must equip with something.AirFrame wrote: ↑Sat Jul 27, 2019 6:47 amExcept the diversity-supporting 1090ES systems are all in the $5-10k range right now...hardly an economical solution.Cessna 180 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 26, 2019 7:31 pm 1090ES systems are perfectly valid in the US FYI. Id go with a bottom mount 1090ES transponder for now from one of the few options that support diversity, and upgrade in the future, if and when TC mandates ADS-B.
I went with the 978MHz SkyBeacon for now but will upgrade to the SkyBeacon X when it gets approved. I have asked and uAvionix assures me that there will be an upgrade path for existing SkyBeacon 978MHz owners.
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Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
Looks like you have the right idea. Have you found someone in Canada that will install it for a reasonable price? I have a buddy who's going to need it installed this year, and it they are going to have some sort of swap out or upgrade for the 1090es, going with the sky beacon 978 might be the way to go for the next 4-6 years.flyguy73 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 8:16 amExactly. And that's the price BEFORE installation. Figure another $1-2k for install or more if you don't already have a WAAS GPS source. For a $25k airplane, a $10k transponder is a deal-breaker. But, if I want to be compliant to fly in Class C airspace in the US, then I must equip with something.AirFrame wrote: ↑Sat Jul 27, 2019 6:47 amExcept the diversity-supporting 1090ES systems are all in the $5-10k range right now...hardly an economical solution.Cessna 180 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 26, 2019 7:31 pm 1090ES systems are perfectly valid in the US FYI. Id go with a bottom mount 1090ES transponder for now from one of the few options that support diversity, and upgrade in the future, if and when TC mandates ADS-B.
I went with the 978MHz SkyBeacon for now but will upgrade to the SkyBeacon X when it gets approved. I have asked and uAvionix assures me that there will be an upgrade path for existing SkyBeacon 978MHz owners.
still may make the trip to the US if the price is right.
Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
My regular AME was able to do it. Installation is a snap. Setup took a bit longer, but not much. I can't say exactly what the installation cost as we had some other work done as well. I would estimate it took him an hour from start to finish. I've got an old Garmin GTX 320 Mode C, but it's working and I really didn't want to have to replace it.Cessna 180 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 10:14 amLooks like you have the right idea. Have you found someone in Canada that will install it for a reasonable price? I have a buddy who's going to need it installed this year, and it they are going to have some sort of swap out or upgrade for the 1090es, going with the sky beacon 978 might be the way to go for the next 4-6 years.flyguy73 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 8:16 amExactly. And that's the price BEFORE installation. Figure another $1-2k for install or more if you don't already have a WAAS GPS source. For a $25k airplane, a $10k transponder is a deal-breaker. But, if I want to be compliant to fly in Class C airspace in the US, then I must equip with something.
I went with the 978MHz SkyBeacon for now but will upgrade to the SkyBeacon X when it gets approved. I have asked and uAvionix assures me that there will be an upgrade path for existing SkyBeacon 978MHz owners.
still may make the trip to the US if the price is right.
Only problem so far is that he was unable to program the callsign for the plane. I'm not sure if it is expecting an N-number or if this was an error on his part. At any rate, I've got a support request in with uAvionix to check this.
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Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
Sounds great. Let me know about the N number, however I can't see it being an issue because you could program it with your ICAO callsign or as they advertise, lifeflight call signs or medevac.flyguy73 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 11:42 amMy regular AME was able to do it. Installation is a snap. Setup took a bit longer, but not much. I can't say exactly what the installation cost as we had some other work done as well. I would estimate it took him an hour from start to finish. I've got an old Garmin GTX 320 Mode C, but it's working and I really didn't want to have to replace it.Cessna 180 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 10:14 amLooks like you have the right idea. Have you found someone in Canada that will install it for a reasonable price? I have a buddy who's going to need it installed this year, and it they are going to have some sort of swap out or upgrade for the 1090es, going with the sky beacon 978 might be the way to go for the next 4-6 years.flyguy73 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 8:16 am
Exactly. And that's the price BEFORE installation. Figure another $1-2k for install or more if you don't already have a WAAS GPS source. For a $25k airplane, a $10k transponder is a deal-breaker. But, if I want to be compliant to fly in Class C airspace in the US, then I must equip with something.
I went with the 978MHz SkyBeacon for now but will upgrade to the SkyBeacon X when it gets approved. I have asked and uAvionix assures me that there will be an upgrade path for existing SkyBeacon 978MHz owners.
still may make the trip to the US if the price is right.
Only problem so far is that he was unable to program the callsign for the plane. I'm not sure if it is expecting an N-number or if this was an error on his part. At any rate, I've got a support request in with uAvionix to check this.
we have an old dial analog transponder, could use updating, but it works presently.
Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
I went down to the plane last week and finally took a look. I was able to connect and enter the ICAO value and the callsign, but without the hyphen ("-"). It worked fine for a 2.5 hour flight to Pembroke and showed up on my ForeFlight using a Stratux the whole time.Cessna 180 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 10:07 pmSounds great. Let me know about the N number, however I can't see it being an issue because you could program it with your ICAO callsign or as they advertise, lifeflight call signs or medevac.flyguy73 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 11:42 amMy regular AME was able to do it. Installation is a snap. Setup took a bit longer, but not much. I can't say exactly what the installation cost as we had some other work done as well. I would estimate it took him an hour from start to finish. I've got an old Garmin GTX 320 Mode C, but it's working and I really didn't want to have to replace it.Cessna 180 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 10:14 am
Looks like you have the right idea. Have you found someone in Canada that will install it for a reasonable price? I have a buddy who's going to need it installed this year, and it they are going to have some sort of swap out or upgrade for the 1090es, going with the sky beacon 978 might be the way to go for the next 4-6 years.
still may make the trip to the US if the price is right.
Only problem so far is that he was unable to program the callsign for the plane. I'm not sure if it is expecting an N-number or if this was an error on his part. At any rate, I've got a support request in with uAvionix to check this.
we have an old dial analog transponder, could use updating, but it works presently.
Haven't flown to the US yet, or performed my FAA Performance flight, but I don't anticipate any problems. This was the lowest cost option to allow us into Class C airspace in the US ($2500 CAD). In the future, I expect I will upgrade to the SkyBeacon X, but I probably have at least 5 years to do that.
Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
Something I have not seen mentioned here is that 978mhz used by UAT is a DME channel that is still in use in Canada. The US UAT ground station network was planned around not interfering with our existing DME ground stations.
Theoretically it is not legal to broadcast on 978 MHz in Canada but there does not appear to be any enforcement at the moment.
I had a chat with someone from TC this weekend and part of the discussion was regarding the proposed diversity antenna requirement and the impression I got was that the wording will likely change to "Omnidirectional" since true diversity is not really needed and is prohibitively expensive.
It is a wait and see situation at the moment but it appears that there are people at TC who still care about GA access to airspace.
Theoretically it is not legal to broadcast on 978 MHz in Canada but there does not appear to be any enforcement at the moment.
I had a chat with someone from TC this weekend and part of the discussion was regarding the proposed diversity antenna requirement and the impression I got was that the wording will likely change to "Omnidirectional" since true diversity is not really needed and is prohibitively expensive.
It is a wait and see situation at the moment but it appears that there are people at TC who still care about GA access to airspace.
Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
Problem is...at the end of the day - TC has no real say in the matter. Nav Canada is the one who makes the decisions.
Re: uAvionix SkyBeacon installation in Canada
This may be true, but at least with the SkyBeacon, it can be turned off simply by turning off the nav lights. Doesn't help at night, of course.Helno wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2019 5:56 am Something I have not seen mentioned here is that 978mhz used by UAT is a DME channel that is still in use in Canada. The US UAT ground station network was planned around not interfering with our existing DME ground stations.
Theoretically it is not legal to broadcast on 978 MHz in Canada but there does not appear to be any enforcement at the moment.
I had a chat with someone from TC this weekend and part of the discussion was regarding the proposed diversity antenna requirement and the impression I got was that the wording will likely change to "Omnidirectional" since true diversity is not really needed and is prohibitively expensive.
It is a wait and see situation at the moment but it appears that there are people at TC who still care about GA access to airspace.
I'm not sure antenna diversity was ever specified, rather that space-based ADS-B was. Does NavCanada care if it takes 2 antennae to do this? Antenna diversity was thought to be the answer by the manufacturers. It meets the requirement but is not the only solution.