The easiest way to understand Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, or ADS-B, is that it is a way for aircraft to send additional data in order for air traffic to route aircraft more safely and efficiently throughout controlled aerospace in the United States. As part of the NextGen air traffic control (ATC) system, data such as altitude, airspeed, and heading are transmitted through an aircraft’s transponders. In order to send this data, transponders either need to be updated, or already capable of complying with the mandate. These transponders then take input from a WAAS GPS receiver, which is required for position accuracy, and transmit the data back to ATC.
While many legacy aircraft operators only want to meet the mandate, and don’t want to make more upgrades, many factory upgrades will require expensive updates. Aircraft operators can choose a factory upgrade path for a legacy aircraft, or decide to completely replace their transponders, which could be more cost effective for the operator, such as Elliott Aviation’s Garmin GTX-3000 ADS-B solution. All aircraft equipped with factory original transponders will need an upgrade to a WAAS GPS. In most cases, the GPS is located in the Flight Management System, which will require an upgrade that could require an expensive LPV upgrade. In addition, there may be other unexpected costs when sending in your transponders for modification to satisfy the upgrade path. In several cases, when legacy units have been sent in for modification, they have found costly repairs that have cost operators tens of thousands of dollars.
Most turbine-powered aircraft have two transponders, with one used for redundancy. The most widely used transponder in the population of turbine-powered business aircraft is the Rockwell Collins TDR-94/D. Depending on age, TDR-94/D can be upgraded, but if they are too old, you may have to buy new TDR-94/D transponders. Other popular transponders include the Honeywell RCZ-8XX series and the BendixKing MST-67/A. The RCZ series of transponders can be sent in to be upgraded, but older transponders may need replaced much like the TDR-94. The BendixKing MST-67/A transponders do not have an upgrade. The solution from BendixKing is to provide a new transponder called the Honeywell MST-100. These legacy transponders were typically designed in the late 80’s and early 90’s when electronic technology was more hardware driven than computer software driven. Remember the late 80’s and early 90’s was when the Apple II computer was king.
A better and likely more cost-effective alternative to the old Collins or Honeywell transponder comes from Garmin. The Garmin GTX-3000 solution provides you with one upfront fixed cost without the hassle and unexpected cost of updating an FMS or control heads. In contrast to competing transponders, the GTX-3000 transponder was designed in the mid-2010’s, with current technology and built to meet the needs of Part 23 & Part 25 turbine-powered aircraft. In addition, this fit-all transponder makes it so you don’t have to update your FMS, saving you additional money during the ADS-B out mandate. Paired with a dedicated WAAS GPS receiver, you get added benefits of receiving ADS-B in, which gives you graphical weather and traffic on a Bluetooth connected device.
This software-driven transponder can easily be software programmed to adapt itself to completely mimic and replace a TDR-94/94D or MST-67/67A. In a RCZ, the GTX-3000 replaces the function of the transponder only and leaves the comm functionality. In addition, the GTX-3000 transponder saves you time and money because you don’t have to update your control heads. It will allow you to store your aircraft registration number so upgrades or replacement of the transponder control head is not required. This solution can be installed at any Garmin Aviation dealer in the world that is capable of working on Part 23 & Part 25 aircraft like the Hawker 800A/XP, Hawker 1000, Premier 1/1A, Beechjet 400A, Lear 45 & 60, King Air series, Citation Excel/XLS, Citation V/Ultra/Encore, IAI Astra, Falcon 50/900, Challenger 600/601/604 and many, many more.
As of this writing in November of 2018, there have been supply issues for most avionics manufacturers. This has caused delays in receiving new equipment and delays on updates to GPS receivers and Transponders. Garmin has remained relatively immune to long lead times by controlling the assembly process in Olathe, Kansas along with producing equipment to meet current and future demand. That is one reason why Garmin ranks #1 in reader polls.
The FAA has made the process of approving ADS-B solutions simple and streamlined. Initially, a matched pair between a transponder and WAAS/GPS receiver needs to be approved under FAA STC/TC or Aircraft Service Bulletin. To simplify the approval process and help aircraft operators, the FAA has issued a statement that when an STC is approved for a matched pair; it can be used on another make and model of aircraft with the same matched pair and does not need to be Field Approval by the local FAA FSDO. They state the make/model difference as a minor deviation as referenced under AFS-360-2017-1, found here. What they do require, however, is a full copy and authorization from the STC owner. Any deviations that are deemed major (i.e. penetration to pressure vessel, antenna mounting, pressure bulkhead penetrations, etc.) will need approved by the FAA or preferably an FAA DER.
The magnitude of the ADS-B mandate is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced in this industry. The volume of aircraft that need to be updated, and the mix of different legacy avionics packages currently equipped in part 25 aircraft has created a lot of confusion in the industry. There are many factors to consider when selecting an ADS-B solution like price, anticipated length of ownership and downtime. A reputable avionics facility can present you with options that will consider your aircraft needs.
Find out more about ADS-B here.
Mark Wilken joined Elliott Aviation in 1989 as an Avionics Bench Technician. He was promoted to Avionics Manager in 1996 and joined the sales team in 2003. He was named Vice President of Avionics Programs and Operational Logistics in 2014. Mark has led many highly successful programs such as the King Air Garmin G1000 avionics retrofit program, the Garmin G5000 avionics retrofit program and the Garmin GTX-3000 ADS-B solution. Mark holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale and is a licensed pilot.