Bigfork, Montana –– uAvionix Corporation today announced that the SkyEcho portable ADS-B transceiver has been accepted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of Australia as an approved Electronic Conspicuity (EC) Device. Under this approval, SkyEcho can be used in VFR aircraft under FL290 as an enhancement to “See and Be Seen”.
SkyEcho is the world’s first commercially available portable ADS-B IN and OUT system. Complete with an integrated TSO certified SBAS GPS and barometric altimeter, SkyEcho transmits your aircraft location, altitude, and identification via 1090MHz ADS-B, enabling you to be seen by nearby aircraft and Air Traffic Control (ATC) equipped with an ADS-B receiver. In Australia, the integrated ADS-B IN receiver connects wirelessly to your favorite Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) application adhering to an industry-standard protocol for ADS-B traffic – including OzRunways and AvPlan EFB.
SkyEcho brings the safety benefits of ADS-B to the cockpit without the high cost of installation. As unmanned systems are increasingly equipping with ADS-B receivers as a Detect and Avoid (DAA) technology – broadcasting your location via ADS-B enables the drone to remain well clear of your location, keeping the skies safer through cooperative communication.
Under the Australian Government’s Civil Aviation Order 20.18 Amendment, new standards have been published to encourage voluntary use of ADS-B OUT systems on Visual Flight Rules (VFR) aircraft. The aim of the amendment is to reduce the costs of installing air-to-air surveillance technology in VFR aircraft with a view to enhancing the basic VFR safety principle of “see and avoid.” In addition to the approval of EC devices like SkyEcho, the use of non-certified ADS-B enabled transponders like tailBeaconX – EXP is permitted on experimental and light sport aircraft (LSA).
The United Kingdom (UK) Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was the first to develop and deploy the concept of Electronic Conspicuity as a means to reduce the risk of mid-air collision. SkyEcho’s success in the UK has now led to the concept’s expansion Down Under.
Christian Ramsey, President uAvionix said “We’ve been working with CASA for over two years on this effort. We are thrilled with CASA’s progress and recognition of the benefits of ADS-B to all airspace users.”
SkyEcho is immediately available in Australia at uAvionix.com.au and other Australian resellers, which can be found at uavionix.com.au/
About uAvionix Corporation
uAvionix was founded in 2015 with a mission to bring safety solutions to the unmanned aviation industry to aid in the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS). A fundamental principle underlying that mission is to provide solutions where all airspace users share a common situational awareness. We pioneered and now offer low SWaP TSO-certified and uncertified ADS-B and GPS solutions for markets encompassing General Aviation (GA), Airport Surface Vehicles, and UAS. Based in Bigfork, MT and Leesburg, VA, uAvionix consists of an unparalleled engineering and management team with a unique combination of experience within avionics, surveillance, airport services, UAS aircraft development, radio frequency (RF), and semiconductor industries. The entire leadership team consists of pilots of fixed wing, rotary wing, and UAS aircraft. uAvionix is backed by investors at Playground Global and Airbus Ventures.
To learn more about uAvionix manned and unmanned products, please visit: www.uavionix.com
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