ADSB

[8233]

Beautiful work, David!! Great pics. You've spent a bit of time at a "140 University" with a couple of renowned professors -- thanks for sharing the experience. You're envied! Have you completed your flight check with the ADS-B yet? ...really looks great!!

...related: Did you happen to notice the clearance 'twixt the aileron through cable and the pulley brackets just aft of the rear spar when the headliner was out?

Thanks!

Mac

Thanks Mac! Yes indeed, it was like going to a 120/140 university. On the ADS-B, I did a flight check and pulled the report and it came back with no errors. In fact, I pulled a couple of different flights just to be sure.

I snapped some pics while the headliner was out. See if this one answers your question.

Thanks!

[2066]

David wrote: "... pics while the headliner was out. See if this one answers your question."

It almost does...but it's the actual clearance above the cable and 'twixt it & the aileron bracket(s) & that's not quite in the view in your photo. The small center pulley actually guides the cable and apparently holds it off (down) from dragging on the bracket bottom (I've never seen a bracket that's been "sawed" or a cable that's frayed there, but have heard that it has happened to some over the years ). I'm confident that had Ken or Lorraine noticed anything unusual, you'd know it. (We should all remember that John Cooper has "many, MANY" of those pulleys & it's probably a good idea to replace them...at least every 70+ years or so. The bushing costs a lot more than John's pulleys, incidentally!). Congrats on the really beautiful "new" plane, David, and on the successful install of ADS-B -- now, you can relax and have a lot of fun "just flying" (The "2020 mandate" has now become a non-issue for you! )!

Mac

[8233]

David wrote: "... pics while the headliner was out. See if this one answers your question."

It almost does...but it's the actual clearance above the cable and 'twixt it & the aileron bracket(s) & that's not quite in the view in your photo. The small center pulley actually guides the cable and apparently holds it off (down) from dragging on the bracket bottom (I've never seen a bracket that's been "sawed" or a cable that's frayed there, but have heard that it has happened to some over the years ). I'm confident that had Ken or Lorraine noticed anything unusual, you'd know it. (We should all remember that John Cooper has "many, MANY" of those pulleys & it's probably a good idea to replace them...at least every 70+ years or so. The bushing costs a lot more than John's pulleys, incidentally!). Congrats on the really beautiful "new" plane, David, and on the successful install of ADS-B -- now, you can relax and have a lot of fun "just flying" (The "2020 mandate" has now become a non-issue for you! )!

Mac

Unfortunately I don't think I have a better picture. Lorraine was in that area working for quite a while and to your point, I'm sure she would of noticed something if it was wrong. One place where I feel fortunate is this plane has an extremely low total time of around 1,800 hours. Lorraine commented that it might be one of the cleanest examples she has seen from general condition and also she couldn't find any indicators that this one has ever been on its back or had other significant damage. Someone has kept this plane in a climate controlled environment for much of its life would be my theory. My records I had pulled from OKC showed NDH but, as we all know, that's never the final word.

Thanks again and yes, It's nice to have the ADS-B mandate as a non-issue now!

[8186]

We have our GDL82 mounted just aft of the battery box and the antenna directly overhead. Very clean, light weight installation. The mechanic fabricated and mounting shelf and riveted it in place.
Opted for ADS-B out only, for the simple reason I am wanting my C140 flying to be as basic as possible.

[2066]

We have our GDL82 mounted just aft of the battery box and the antenna directly overhead. Very clean, light weight installation. The mechanic fabricated and mounting shelf and riveted it in place.
Opted for ADS-B out only, for the simple reason I am wanting my C140 flying to be as basic as possible.

That really is a well thought out & simple installation/location. RE your flight test...any squawks? Did you utilize all of the features (...failed warning indicator, "incognito 1200 switch")? The GDL82 does seem to be quality designed & built. I'm all for "basic", too, and frankly may well not "need" the ADS-B out...but, I sure like the idea that I can (basically) fly anywhere I want to after 2020, even if I don't need or want to . Thanks for sharing the info.! Mac

[8233]

We have our GDL82 mounted just aft of the battery box and the antenna directly overhead. Very clean, light weight installation. The mechanic fabricated and mounting shelf and riveted it in place.
Opted for ADS-B out only, for the simple reason I am wanting my C140 flying to be as basic as possible.

That does look like a very nice installation. Congrats on knocking out the mandate! For me, the Stratus ESG seemed a better choice since I had an old Narco transponder that aren't known for their longevity so I traded one transponder for another and added in the GPS antenna to get my ADS-B compliance.

I'm probably going to sound a little but like a contradiction but I love vintage and antique aircraft but also very much into technology. I was attracted to the 120 because it is just plain and simple tailwheel flying and fun to boot. Having said that, I also have ADS-B in and use a yoke mounted iPad and Foreflight. Some may view it as a distraction and complicated. For me personally, I find it beneficial for safety. Getting real time weather and traffic information in the cockpit is a real plus. Even though I prefer old airplanes, I see no reason not to embrace technology when it can bring better/faster information and situational awareness. I also operate out of an airport sitting under a Class B so I'm frequently in busy airspace and ADS-B In has been an awesome tool to have.

The most important thing is to not fixate on the iPad so much you are not looking out the window!

[2066]

David wrote: "...operate out of an airport sitting under a Class B so I'm frequently in busy airspace and ADS-B In has been an awesome tool to have."


Agree -- it's taking "see & be seen" to even more effective levels. I'm also very near Class B (Charlotte) & having to be constantly alert for avoiding the 2020 boundary "walls" isn't acceptable...plus, with the "new" view of traffic out there (mine is via the iFly 740b + Ping Buddy) there's often some close traffic that I definitely wouldn't have seen . I'm hearing the same from every other person who's getting their first experience with ADS-B IN. Great advice on keeping eyes out of the cockpit, too, David! Mac

[3679]

No...but, I'm also getting close to pulling the trigger on the GDL 82. I'm still nursing an old KT76 transponder and it's working fine...but, being realistic, it's on borrowed time and "bundles" are becoming available at attractive prices (...well, kinda ) that include the new GDL 82 with a new(er) transponder. While relatively simple, there'll be some installation time/cost involved, of course, but proven Garmin quality that's already definitely "approved" for us certifieds (and is actually available) may just be the most "economical" & best answer today(for "us"?). On a somewhat related note, I'm flying now with iFly's 740b + a uAvionix "Ping Buddy" for "in" and couldn't be more pleased with both fit and function in the limited cockpit space of the 140. While I'm never excited about spending money on anything, I'm getting kinda antsy about just getting the whole ADS-B deal done in a reasonably practical/economical manner and getting on with flying "life". I've been a bit of a fan for the uAvionix SkyBeacon, but their promises to bring it (and, subsequently, their "TailBeacon") to the certified market seems to be pushed further and further down the calendar -- my patience wears thin in my old age it seems . FWIW. Mac

Some interesting news here, apparently Garmin is now suing uAvionix over patent infringement.

https://insight.rpxcorp.com/litigation_ ... s/12956844

[2066]

No...but, I'm also getting close to pulling the trigger on the GDL 82. I'm still nursing an old KT76 transponder and it's working fine...but, being realistic, it's on borrowed time and "bundles" are becoming available at attractive prices (...well, kinda ) that include the new GDL 82 with a new(er) transponder. While relatively simple, there'll be some installation time/cost involved, of course, but proven Garmin quality that's already definitely "approved" for us certifieds (and is actually available) may just be the most "economical" & best answer today(for "us"?). On a somewhat related note, I'm flying now with iFly's 740b + a uAvionix "Ping Buddy" for "in" and couldn't be more pleased with both fit and function in the limited cockpit space of the 140. While I'm never excited about spending money on anything, I'm getting kinda antsy about just getting the whole ADS-B deal done in a reasonably practical/economical manner and getting on with flying "life". I've been a bit of a fan for the uAvionix SkyBeacon, but their promises to bring it (and, subsequently, their "TailBeacon") to the certified market seems to be pushed further and further down the calendar -- my patience wears thin in my old age it seems . FWIW. Mac

Some interesting news here, apparently Garmin is now suing uAvionix over patent infringement.

https://insight.rpxcorp.com/litigation_ ... s/12956844

Interesting, indeed, Bob. I'd asked the uAvionix rep. a related question @ SNF (...probably about the same time you and I ran into each other )...basically queried that I found it hard to imagine that the "big established ADS-B sellers" would stand idly by while the "promise" of Sky/Tailbeacon was set to take a major slice of "their" market. The response was almost as if they'd never thought of that as an issue. While I certainly had no idea that there was litigation on the radar, it's difficult to be surprised. With a significant number of 'Beacon "pre-orders" made and paid for, let's hope this can be worked out and everyone who wants what seems a neat & timely product can actually receive them and get on with flying. Thanks for the update, Bob.

Mac

[2066]

Statement RE litigation from uAvionix (…"good news" appears to be that they'll continue with delivery of the "Beacons"):

• uAvionix Statement on Garmin Lawsuit
  On June 19, 2018 Garmin International Inc. and Garmin USA Inc. sued uAvionix for patent infringement. Garmin alleges the uAvionix echoUAT and skyBeacon’s method of obtaining an installed transponder’s Mode 3/A code and altitude infringes their U.S. Patent No. 8,102,301 (“the 301 Patent”).
  We do not infringe the 301 Patent. uAvionix has our own patent-pending method for using Mode 3/A and altitude information that differs from the method in the 301 Patent. We invite you to see for yourself.
  Ultimately the court and industry will decide whether we are innovators or infringers.
  We are disappointed and frustrated we have to go through the expense, distraction, and effort of defending ourselves, but also recognize that disruptive products often attract unwanted attention from incumbents.
  We won’t be able to comment on the proceedings, and it will likely take some time to resolve. We just want the world to know that we take Intellectual Property rights seriously. We are innovators with integrity, and we are defending that integrity. As pilots, we will fight hard and stand our ground to deliver groundbreaking and innovative products to this market.
  We also want to make a clear statement that this suit in no way impacts our ability to certify and ship any of our products – including skyBeacon and tailBeacon.
  Thank you for your support and confidence.
  The uAvionix Team
  P.S. Our legal team deleted our usual levity from this statement.