Sandia STX 165 Transponder

[sandia aerospace]

Why Mode C
For aircraft flying below 18,000 feet Mode C will continue to be used indefinitely. There is no requirement for aircraft flying at those altitudes to equip with more costly Mode S. It is true that Mode S will provide traffic and meet the 2020 ADS-B mandate, if the aircraft is equipped with an approved ADS-B GPS. However, we believe that a better solution for meeting the ADS-B mandate is UAT (Universal Access Transceiver). UAT has a much broader bandwidth than Mode S which allows it to transmit and receive more information. There are already many UAT receivers on the market that will receive both TRAFFIC and WEATHER, and there is no subscription fee for the weather. In contrast Mode S, because of its narrow bandwidth, will only provide traffic information. The UAT solution to ADS-B still requires the use of a transponder, either Mode S or Mode C. If the aircraft is equipped with UAT, the Mode S serves no purpose.

Why the STX 165
The STX 165 is a small, light weight Mode C transponder designed to fit a ½ 3ATI instrument hole, leaving more center stack space for today’s growing avionics packages such as the Garmin GTN 750. The STS 165 features a built-in 35K foot encoder simplifying installation, three timer functions, a pressure altitude readout and with the optional Sandia OAT probe, OAT display, Density Altitude display and an Icing Alert
For More information, Please contact Barry LeBlanc, 505.944.5756, email: barry.leblanc@sandia.aero

 

[PilotAlan]

Isn't ADS-B Out required in A, B, and C airspace? That significantly changes the assumptions in your 'poll'.

 

[sandia aerospace]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply, yes ADS-B will be part of the 2020 Mandate in all classes of airspace. The confusing part is that pilots are being told they must have a Mode S Transponder with a UAT system. Which is not true a Mode C transponder with a UAT system will also work. So the cost savings is huge. You do not have to buy a Mode S Transponder. I hope the poll was not confusing. Thank You Barry LeBlanc

 

[NoHeat]

I find that all information about ADS is confusing, no matter who writes it. I'm just glad that I can wait several years before figuring it out.

 

[flyingron]

And mode S in itself is NOT sufficient for ADS-B either. The ES mode S's coupled with something to talk to it can.

 

[weilke]

Will Sandia offer some sort of comprehensive ADS-B solution ? (a UAT with integrated GPS & transponder)

 

[sandia aerospace]

Hi, To answer several questions with this reply. Yes Sandia is working on a UAT system. We feel to keep a unit open to other manufactures leaves the operator more choices.

A mode S-EHS is the route for many users and mandatory in Europe Here is a great link...http://www.eurocontrol.int/msa/public/standard_page/implementation_els_ehs.html

 

[weilke]

Hi, To answer several questions with this reply. Yes Sandia is working on a UAT system. We feel to keep a unit open to other manufactures leaves the operator more choices.

The options are Garmin and Garmin for the GPS.

People dont want options, they want something that works and doesn't cost them an arm and a leg to install.

 

[poadeleted21]

The options are Garmin and Garmin for the GPS.

People dont want options, they want something that works and doesn't cost them an arm and a leg to install.

I want options.

 

[sandia aerospace]

Hi,
Yes there is a few options right now, One is Free Flight and the other is Garmin. We are working on a solution. But we feel in the next year or so you will see several other companies offering a UAT solution that is certified. Our UAT target price is $3500 dollars. Options are always a good thing and more companies building a certified unit will also keep the price down.