ADS-B STC for the AXP340 Status Update

As many readers know, we're in the end game in the pursuit of a new STC that enables one to take ASD-B compliant credit for the AXP340 Mode S Transponder.

This permits the AXP340 to take GPS input from the IFD540, R9, G400W, G430W, G500W, G530W units and meet the requirements for ADS-B Out performance.

All data has been turned into the FAA and they have largely delegated signoff authority back to us.  There were a number of actions to be taken and they seem to have been largely completed now to everybody's satisfaction.

We *should* have signed off STC authority sometime in January.

Hi Steve, 

As usual, I am confused. Will the "new" STC for ADS-B Out include a speed unit to provide the airborne signal or will we still have to install some sort of "Weight On The Wheels" switch to tell the world when the aircraft is airborne?

Happy Skies,

Old Bob

The "joined" date is when you created an account here on this message forum.  The message forum has no way to know when you purchased or installed your Avidyne equipment.

Hi Steve,

No, there is no need to delay for the  ADS-B OUT STC. That has no effect on function, and no effect on certification until 2020.

Edited by oskrypuch - 13 Jan 2015 at 3:34pm

(AXP340 ADS-B STC Status Update - 5 Feb 2015)

It's really close.    The FAA informed us this morning they intend to issue the TIA on Monday.    That gives us approval to get the unit and aircraft through FAA conformity (an inspection that takes a few hours and should be completed on Tues, 10 Feb), which then clears us to perform the official for-credit flight test on Wed, Thurs, Fri weather permitting.   Presuming the flight test goes as well as all the dry run flights did, it should then be a matter of a few days for the FAA to issue the STC.

For those installations that already have a 340 then it's just paperwork.   For all those folks who are flying now with a 540-340 combo and ran that FAA test to see if they were ADS-B compliant and got a yes, this STC will provide the paperwork to supports ADS-B compliance.

Does that answer your question?

(AXP340 ADS-B STC Status Update - 9 Feb 2015)

Due to the significant snowstorm pounding New England, the FAA did not open their MA Cert office today.  So, the expected TIA I talked about on the 5 Feb post has not (and likely will not) be issued today.  We hope this is just a one day slip due to wx.

(AXP340 ADS-B STC Status Update - 12 Feb 2015)

The FAA has just issued TIA which clears the path for the next step on the ADS-B cert.

For those folks who want the summary story - we could have STC approval within a week.

For those folks who love the details, we have the following steps to knock out:

1. Use the signed TIA to allow a FAA designated inspector (DAR) to perform a conformity inspection of the gear and airplane - presuming he is available, this takes a few hours. We're checking on his availability right now. Could happen today, could take a few days.
2. Once the DAR has signed off on that inspection, we perform the for-credit ground tests (a few hours in duration) then perform 3 flight tests (should take 1.5 days presuming weather, airplane and equipment all perform as expected). We've dry run all those flights so we're highly confident.
3. Send the FAA a quick thumbs up note when flight test is done.
4. FAA processes a few other paperwork items then issues the written STC.

(AXP340 ADS-B STC Status Update - 2 Mar 2015)

Thank you both.

Jim

Yes.

My installer is telling me that there is no STC basis for the 340 installation as simple S-xpdr (NOT ADS-B out). Tell me that is not true!! My a/c is a Cessna R172K.

And to add, the STC is NOT required until 2020. But many installers are nervous about paperwork.

SB Jim wrote: Orest, Your interpretation of the regs may or not be accurate, but either way is not authoritative. .

I note with some dismay that many folks seem to be counting on the black boxes to advise them of traffic in the area. We who do occasionally fly airplanes with NO transponder can legally fly in at least ninety per cent of the US airspace below ten thousand feet (even higher in mountainous terrain)  and there is no way anyone can see us without looking out the window. I hope none of us get so reliant on panel toys that we quit looking.

I like having my new toy to play with, but I sure hope I do NOT let it consume the time I should be spending looking out the window.

Remember what happened to Bob Collins when he was showing off his new 430s?

2020 mandates will NOT address that issue.

Happy Skies,

Old Bob

No Argument with that point.

Nevertheless. even the fanciest electronics will not see non transmitting traffic.

Your eyeballs can see conforming as well as non comforming traffic as long as you are looking in the best direction.  Look where you are going and don't spend time looking for traffic on the black box that is not in front of where you are going!

Happy Skies,

Old Bob

Good Evening, this is getting totally off the subject of ADS-B so please excuse one more dumb comment. Flying has a safety ratio roughly equivalent to riding a motorcycle. It is not a real safe thing to be doing. We who fly are taking a calculated risk. Nice to try to make it safer, but if you want the highest degree of safety available in aviation, stick to riding the airlines. Beyond that, buy the best toys you can afford, and LOOK OUT The Window!!

Jake,

Thanks for the update. Mine goes in this week. Fingers crossed that you get this done before I leave the shop.

Regards, Jim

Aren't we all?

AviJake wrote: (AXP340 ADS-B STC Status Update - 14 Mar 2015) Some progress to report - the analyst in DC promises to look at the data on this coming Wed (18 Mar) so hopefully a thumbs up from him will get the local Boston office moving on the signoff and all these various (unwarranted) installer concerns become OBE.

And how pray tell did our data review go?

Inquiring minds want to know....

Jake,

Thank you.

Currently my shop is saying they'll be done "early next week" with my 540/340 installation, and they're one of those that is unwilling to activate the ADS-B Out absent STC approval as their interpretation of the regs is that the specific combination STC is required.

That's why I've been following this closely; as much as I like the shop I'd prefer to avoid a return trip to activate ADS-B Out.

Regards, Jim

(AXP340 ADS-B STC Status Update - 21 Mar 2015)

Hi Jake,

Thanks for the update.

Once you get the paperwork will we be able to download it from Avidyne?

Regards, Jim