My Skybeacon story

cgrab

Pattern Altitude
Joined
May 2, 2014
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2,162
Location
Huntsville AL
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cgrab
My ADS-B story starts with me deciding to use a Skybeacon for ADS-B out. I had been using a STRATUX for some time for ADS-B in. I printed the Skybeacon template to check fit and determined I needed an adapter. My first call to UAvionicx was to find out that they do not have an adapter for my wing.

upload_2019-3-10_16-38-56.jpeg
I was able to find the Makers Local in my area and they designed and 3D printed an adapter to fit my plane and the Skybeacon. Here is a file to print the adapter.

https://github.com/enabrintain/MiscellaneousParts/tree/master/craigsWingtip

And here is how to donate to the Makers Local 256 that created the model.

https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1760129

Next, I went to the FAA website to file for the rebate. They send an email with valuable (as in you need it for the rebate) information.

www.faa.gov/go/rebate

And ordered the Skybeacon from Aircraft Chief since everyone offers it at the same price and AC has free delivery. When it arrived, I downloaded the installation manual

Uavionics Website https://uavionix.com/products/skybeacon/

And my second call to UAvionix was to be sure I could install disconnect and not use the butt connectors provided. They said the Skybeacon required high quality connectors to prevent headset noise from the strobe. Not using the strobe function, I pressed on.
I read through the instructions multiple times and noted where I would have to input information into the App. I found my ICAO number and also this website for that purpose. While the Skybeacon does the math, it’s good to check it.

http://www.avionictools.com/icao.php

I also consulted my aircraft manual for length and width and measured from the nose back to the wingtip. My plane is SAE and the Skybeacon asks for metric so math is involved in this step. Not much since they use increments of 2 meters so more like modern math where an estimate is good enough.
After test fitting the Skybeacon and adapter, I had to buy 2 #6-2 ½ inch stainless screws, 3 lock nuts and 3 washers. One of the screws that came with the Skybeacon was usable.

I stopped by the airport maintenance shop and was going to ask for an appointment for the installation but the IA said “You’re good with your hands, what do you need to install it yourself.” I picked up the connector, some wire, and a lug so I could replace my ground wire. I made the connections and installation and returned the tools.
upload_2019-3-10_16-44-12.jpeg

As shown, my wing is rather fat and I have to lean out of the plane to see that the red “non-function” light is out. I will ask if I can glue a tiny fish-eye mirror to the bottom of the Skybeacon if I need to in the future.
Fortunately for me, this is not the first Skybeacon that the IA has signed off so he is able to use the previous sign off as a template for the 337.
The software is fairly easy, once the Skybeacon WiFI is connected to a phone, simply following the instruction manual to complete.
I will taxi to a radar covered area near the maintenance shop tomorrow and get a squawk code to complete the checkout and to get the sign off. Then I'll do the flight outlined in the December AOPA Pilot magazine, check my validation and finish this report.
UPDATE: After taxiing around to the other side of my hangar, the xpndr became active and the Skybeacon "saw" it. I was able to complete the software. One point. The Skybeacon position is in degree-minutes while my phone showed degrees and decimals. So, 86 degrees 47 minutes is the same as 87.75 degrees. Both are very precise but I felt safe ignoring the tenths of seconds since a minute of longitude is less than a mile at my location.
 
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Just remember to turn on the plane and sit still for a solid 5 minutes when you go to do your validation flight. I failed my first one because the gps did not have its full locked position and that results in a failure for those seconds until it does lock.

Not a big deal, second flight I did not do the altitudes or maneuvers, just flew into the mode c veil and did circles over an airport and landed after 30 minutes of boring flight.
 
Yea, that's in the AOPA profile. Seems this ADS-B is a tad bit too sensitive for most of us flyers.
 
I see where uAvionics is making a notification at S-n-F about the tailbeacon paperwork for certified aircraft, hope it shows up soon, the last part of Q1 is past
 
I was at Sun N Fun on Tuesday and gentleman next to me asked when the tailbeacon would be ready for certified aircraft, sounded to me like they were still waiting on the FAA to sign off and really did not know when , unless something changed since Tuesday morning.

Here is the announcement at Sun N Fun:

https://uavionix.com/news/uavionix-files-tso-package-for-tailbeacon-ads-b-out-solution/

I ws surprised at how big these units actually are, while not huge, they were bigger than pictures made you think but still https://uavionix.com/news/uavionix-files-tso-package-for-tailbeacon-ads-b-out-solution/

Still maybe the best bang for the buck
 
Not so fast...the FAA now wants a copy of the 337 and the bill of sale with serial number. I have to go to the plane so it's a good excuse to go fly tomorrow.
 
I submitted my code and got that email within an hour. All I did was snap a picture of the invoice that came in the shipping box and I got a reply within an hour again that said (paraphrased) “Rebate will be in the mail, Thanks”.

Easy peasy
 
For me it was 337 or bill of sale, not both. I just forwarded them the electronic invoice that uavionix e-mailed me and got a response within minutes saying the check was on its way.
 
I sent in my 337 on May 2 and the check arrived today-13 May. Already e-deposited in the bank.

End of story.
 
Same story here. Installed my uAvionix skyBeacon a few weeks back, then did the verification flight. Received the check from the FAA today. If time wasn't a concern I would have waited for the tailBeacon, but I knew the rebates would go quick, and tailBeacon certification would take longer than uAvionics would allude to.
 
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