FAA approved fli

[6478]

I was approaching a non-towered airport to land last week and just before I made my first radio call another pilot called in for the same airport. He gave his position, and then called me by my tail number to ask if I was on frequency. I guess it's a good thing that my ADS-B out was showing up on his fish finder, but it was still a bit disconcerting. If I didn't have to have it to fly from my home airport, I wouldn't.

[6277]

I did the Uavionix tail beacon. Installed it myself, took about 30 minutes. I did the programming, filled out the 337 with detailed instructions from UAvionix supplied with the unit. Did the flight check, etc. Had my AI sign off the 337. Pretty much a no brainer IMHO. Total cost $2,000 for the unit and $100 to my AI.

[a64pilot]

Most of these I believe have an anonymous switch so that your tail number isn’t displayed when your transmitting 1200, or so they say, but file a flight plan or request flight following etc and your info is available to the public.

However the whole aircraft lack of privacy has always as a min annoyed me, years ago someone was walking around Sun-N-Fun and writing down tail numbers, so I asked him what the Hell was he doing and why?

His answer was that he was an “aircraft spotter” for some strange reason these people track movements of aircraft?

So what bothers me is take a tail number and Google it, you get the info of the owner to include full name and address.
Try that with an auto tag, it won’t work, so call the Cop shop and ask for the info, guess what it’s illegal for you to get that data, so why isn’t it for aircraft?

The rich and famous are not tracked by flight aware etc, apparently you can petition those tracking agencies to not track you, and their Lawyers do so of course, us poor folk without Laywer on staff, are. Of course their aircraft aren’t owned by them, but owned by a shell corporation that’s headquartered in a State that doesn’t charge tax on aircraft.

I lived in Germany for three years when I was stationed there, they take privacy seriously, very seriously, and they learned the hard way.

I think we should, this whole anything goes so long as it’s sold as being for the public good is a bad thing. We need to follow Germany’s lead.

[a64pilot]

Interesting that the tailbeacon is powered by the taillight power, astonishing that the FAA allowed that, but to make it an STC is just plain stupid.
Makes one wonder what they were thinking?

[2066]

Interesting that the tailbeacon is powered by the taillight power, astonishing that the FAA allowed that, but to make it an STC is just plain stupid.
Makes one wonder what they were thinking?

...not sure they were thinking. But, of course, they don't have to nor do they have to justify decisions. You're right on track that we have "allowed" bureaucrats to rule (...similar to the old "boiling a frog"). We're reminded all too often that flying is a "privilege", granted by "our" government -- unlike Constitutionally "guaranteed" rights (like the 2nd Amendment...but, I deviate/digress ). With the neat & simple ADS-B out, you "pledge" to keep nav lights "on" during all ops once the tailBeacon (or, skyBeacon) is installed, signed off and passes flt test. RE the "anonymous" option, I don't believe that's available as a feature with the uAvionix units -- it is with the GDL82, but only "hides" identity from other traffic, not from ATC. (Of course, one can just turn the nav lights switch off...but, then, that's "verboten!".

[a64pilot]

Both “beacons” have anonymous mode, but apparently it has “issues” and may not work.
https://vansairforce.net/community/show ... 04&page=25

On edit, I did NOT mean to bring politics into a discussion, politics will absolutely RUIN a good forum. I’ve seen it happen, I moderate a forum that I’m avoiding because politics have ruined it, they snuck in with the pandemic.

I’m very pleased that I don’t see them here, I don’t know if they are verboten or people here just have good sense to avoid them

[2066]

Interesting read on the uAvionix method/issues with anonymous. (I can almost understand some of it ). The simplicity + almost unnoticeable installation of tailBeacon surely seems a good way to go for "out". While I'm happy with my GDL82 & its excellent dependability, I'd probably go with the TB if starting right now. Of interest (to me, at least) is that I haven't seen anyone utilize the skySensor (right wing tip) for ADS-B "In" on a "certified" aircraft -- no doubt the fact that it's advertised specifically for EXP/LSA would make field approval difficult, plus the cost is more than several other very good "In" products. Mac

[a64pilot]

I’ve had for years a 696 and use Garmin’s GDL 39 for an “in” solution.
I like it because it transfers to other aircraft easily where an installed solution doesn’t.

I’ve wondered if you can easily reprogram a tailbeacon to another tail number, making it easy to use on more than one aircraft.
Or is it like a boats AIS that you can only program once, then it has to go back to the manufacturer to be reset?

I’m looking at joining the Exp world with an RV, an 8 if I can find one I can afford, and it would be nice to be able to swap the tailbeacon, but I bet a Dollar that you can’t.

[6478]

The tail beacon is easy to program to a new aircraft, you just need their app installed on a phone or iPad and the password for that particular unit. A one-time swap isn't a problem, but I don't think the Powers-That-Be would be amused if you repeatedly swapped it back and forth between aircraft. Never know though, might be one of those "easier to get forgiven than permission" situations.

[6339]

I’ve had the SkyBeacon and the SkySensor installed for a while and both work pretty good. ( the skysensor is installed as a navigation light/strobe)There’s been a couple of software updates for both but were fairly easy to do. The SkyBeacon can be configured for “anonymous” on startup with the app, but is not reconfigurable in the air.