uAvionix Corporation is a leading provider of aviation technology. We are pleased to provide ADS-B solutions for crewed and uncrewed aircraft, having shipped over 50,000 ADS-B Out transmitters and 600,000 ADS-B systems in total. uAvionix further has been engaged in technical and international regulatory development, championing  unique form factors to ease installation, increasing adoption to realize the safety benefits of the system for all users. These benefits manifest themselves both for aircraft, crews, and passengers themselves, but also by enabling the  broader economic gain from BVLOS operations. 

In the U.S., uAvionix sells the easy to install tailBeaconX, skyBeacon, and tailBeacon ADS-B Out systems. These have  proven extremely popular with light aircraft owners and in non-traditional installations. Further, uAvionix  manufactures and sells what we believe to be the only portable ADS-B solution, called SkyEcho. This solution is  exclusively sold to international markets, including the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It is currently  not legal to offer for sale in the U.S., due to FCC and FAA limitations surrounding its operation at relatively low power  on the 1090MHz band. Fortunately, a more appropriate technology could be adopted for the U.S., which is a 978MHz (UAT) version of the same or similar product. A clear regulatory path and market need would spur uAvionix to invest in such a product. 

To date, portable ADS-B Out solutions have been not been accepted to meet the requirements of 14 CFR 91.225 and  91.227. uAvionix does not believe that a portable device is necessarily suitable for meeting those requirements. Aircraft desiring airspace access under 14 CFR 91.225 have a number of affordable options available to equip with, and the ability to be seen by ATC within the desired volume is both necessary and less assured with a portable solution. Instead, allowing the use of portable transmitters would provide significant safety benefit when used to  equip aircraft that otherwise have not chosen to be electronically conspicuous. Specifically, this would target aircraft who are not required by regulation to equip, such as aircraft not originally certificated with an electric system, balloons, gliders, and Part 103 ultralight vehicles.

uAvionix has worked with AIR-626C on guidance for Part 103 aircraft to equip with existing equipment, and has  made progress, but clear published guidance is necessary to ensure the existence of the market and introduce more suitable (portable, battery-powered) ADS-B Out equipment. A parallel can be found in the program established by  the U.K. CAA titled CAP1391. This program allows the use of portable ADS-B equipment as a voluntary aid to “see and-avoid”, and is the mechanism under which SkyEcho is authorized for sale in the U.K.

Consumers worldwide have also benefited from successful ADS-B Out rebate and subsidy programs. The FAA program set an excellent example and has been mirrored by others worldwide, with additional allowance for  portable devices to increase equipage. Specifically, the U.K. has run a program with numerous renewals that allows for up to a 50% rebate on portable equipment. uAvionix can report that the program has been greatly successful in providing electronic conspicuity to an airspace that is otherwise under-equipped with ADS-B. Australia has a rebate program that has been extended and provides grants of up to AU$5,000 for both installed and portable systems. New Zealand also has a program which uniquely covers both ADS-B Out and ADS-B In equipment at appropriate funding levels.

While work remains to discuss minor technical implementation details with regards to use of portable systems’ data  by ATC, it is clear to uAvionix that the benefit of equipping airspace users with a low-cost, proven technology that  leverages the FAA’s investment in ADS-B, is justified.

Ryan C. Braun

Managing Director, Crewed Aviation 

ryan@uavionix.com