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The Duncan Download Blog: Business Aviation Advice & Observations

Top Three NextGen Questions Heard During the First Day of NBAA 2015

Posted by Melissa Raddatz on Wed, Nov 18, 2015 @ 02:07 PM

Melissa-R2.gifBy now, almost all business aircraft operators are somewhat familiar with the upcoming NextGen mandates and understand the need to plan for them in conjunction with their next major maintenance event. But after talking with operators during the first day of the National Business Aviation Association’s annual convention in Las Vegas, it is safe to say operators still have questions.

The top three questions operators are asking at the show are:

  1. Does my aircraft have a solution?
  2. How much will it cost?
  3. What is the downtime going to be?

Certifying these new mandate solutions is a complicated process that requires collaboration between the equipment manufacturers, engineering teams, avionics installation experts and launch customers. The path to certification can be time-consuming and many solutions are being developed and announced weekly in the changing NextGen landscape.

Even when a solution does currently exist for an aircraft, there might be a more integrated and flexible one on the horizon that would be a better choice for an operator. Navigating these choices is difficult, which is why Duncan Aviation has allowed several of our avionics experts to really become immersed in the NextGen world. And in an effort to educate the industry, four of us are here at the NBAA convention to help operators as they research the solution that will be best for them and their aircraft long-term.

Stop by anytime to meet us.  Or take advantage of our NextGen Expert Hours and ask your most pressing questions to our full attending contingent of avionics gurus.

NextGen Expert Hours

9-11 a.m. Wednesday

9-11 am Thursday

Tags: NBAA, NextGen

Need NextGen Answers?Stop by NBAA Booth #N4910

Posted by Kate Dolan on Thu, Nov 12, 2015 @ 10:00 AM

The industry is buzzing with questions about the upcoming mandates for NextGen, namely for ADS-B and FANS 1A. Duncan Aviation NextGen experts attending the NBAA convention in Las Vegas are prepared to answer those questions.


After hosting free NextGen seminars throughout 2015, Duncan Aviation avionics representatives know the questions operators are asking and have immersed themselves in the developing world of NextGen avionics so they are able to answer those questions.

These experts include the following:

Chris Christianson. Christianson is an avionics tech rep with Duncan Aviation who has been with the company more than 16 years. He has nose-to-tail knowledge of every avionics system installed and retrofited for today’s business jets from the analog systems of the Cessna 550 to the large, digital and fully integrated systems of the Falcon 7X, the Gulfstream G-450/550 and Global Express. His experience has involved every facet of avionics installation projects from STC development to standard field approval type installations/modifications with deep levels of integration.

Mark Francetic. Francetic is Duncan Aviation’s avionics regional sales manager and a Duncan Aviation team member for nearly 20 years. He has an associate’s degree in avionics and holds an A&P license. He has been educating operators about NextGen initiatives for two years at more than 20 different venues, is a member of the Honeywell and Bendix King Dealer Advisory Boards and has helped Duncan Aviation develop business plans for AML STCs on ADS-B and FANS/1A retrofit systems on multiple aircraft.

Dennis Kruse. Kruse is an avionics sales representative who has been with Duncan Aviation for 10 years. He spent eight years installing various avionics systems for Duncan Aviation and also worked as an avionics technician in the U.S. Marine Corps.

 


Melissa Raddatz. Raddatz is an avionics sales representative who has been with Duncan Aviation since 2011. She has an associtate’s degree in Aircraft Electonics, an A&P license, and a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Aviation Management. She has nearly three years of experience installing multiple avionics systems and has received formal training on the Falcon 50 and Falcon 50EX, Challenger 300, Troubleshooting and the Primus EPIC EASyII Line Maintenance. She has developed service guides for the Falcons on the mandates. In addition, she has attended several Dealer Advisory Boards for Rockwell Collins and Garmin.

Stop by anytime to meet these NextGen experts. Or take advantage of our Expert Hours and ask your most pressing questions to any of our full attending contingent of avionics gurus.

NextGen Expert Hours

1-3 p.m. Tuesday
9-11 a.m. Wednesday
9-11 am Thursday

For the most current information on the NextGen mandates, visit Duncan Aviation NextGen Resource

Tags: ADS-B, NBAA, NextGen

What Do Unicorns & ADS-B Exemptions Have in Common? Neither Actually Exist

Posted by Adrian Chene on Tue, Oct 27, 2015 @ 11:13 AM

You can always dream, but Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) exemptions fall into roughly the same category as unicorns.

When Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus introduced a live unicorn into its lineup in 1985, it created quite a stir. The question that swirled around the animal was whether it was a real horn. Although the horn was real, many people ignored the most important fact; the animal was a goat.

In much the same way, there has been much misunderstanding with regard to a recent ADS-B exemption letter from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Some operators heard ADS-B and exemption in the same sentence and immediately began planning for non-compliance. The reality though is that in 2020 an ADS-B transponder exemption is as likely as Ringling Bros. having an actual unicorn at one of their shows.

The controversy started when Airlines for America, the trade organization that represents the principle U.S. airlines, sent the FAA a request for an exemption. The exemption request indicated that much of the airline fleet was not currently equipped with Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) Global Positioning System (GPS) units that supported the required navigational performance. Airlines for America also noted that the required performance—even for the correct WAAS GPS—was not always possible. In light of that, the organization requested that the GPS section of the ADS-B mandate be extended to 2025.

The part of the letter that most folks missed was that it only applies to the portion of the ADS-B mandate that deals with new WAAS requirements for GPS. A transponder that transmits in an ADS-B message format is required to operate above 10,000 feet by 2020.

The FAA agreed with Airlines for America and granted a temporary exemption from the GPS accuracy portion of ADS-B. The FAA has since been getting out the word that operators are still required to have an ADS-B-compliant transponder to meet the mandate. (Visit www.DuncanAviation.aero/nextgen for current information on the mandates.)

Owner/operators who opt for an exemption must submit an annual request to the director of the local Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) until the aircraft is equipped with the mandated receivers. This annual request must include a plan for an eventual upgrade to the mandated WAAS GPS and is subject to approval. For aircraft that are scheduled for major inspections at a facility where a WAAS GPS installation is available, your FSDO may deny your request. “I don’t want to upgrade,” may not be a good reason to apply for an exemption.

With manufacturers, such as Universal Avionics, Honeywell Aerospace and Rockwell Collins offering incentive programs for Flight Management Systems (FMSes) and transponder upgrades, now is the time to include new WAAS/Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) and ADS-B in your aircraft’s budget at your next major inspection.

Don’t bet on the unicorn.


 

For the most current information on the NextGen mandates visit Duncan Aviation NextGen Resource

Adrian Chene is an avionics tech rep for Duncan Aviation providing troubleshooting and technical advice to business aviation operators on avionics installation services. He specializes in custom, integrated HSD solutions. He began working in aviation in 1996.

Tags: Avionics Installation, ADS-B, NextGen

Getting to Know ADS-B: What is it & do I need it?

Posted by Kate Dolan on Mon, Oct 12, 2015 @ 09:13 AM

Do you know what ADS-B is? Do you need it? Are you ready? 

Those are questions worth asking and Duncan Aviation is commited to helping you find the asnwers. 

Two of our own avionics experts were quoted last week in the new industry white paper, “Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Mandates Worldwide.”

We are pleased to be part of the effort because it fits perfectly with our belief that giving our customers information empowers them to make wise choices when it comes to their aircraft. We may or may not be dancing in our hangars, but we’re definitely proud to be a part of this well-written, information-intensive paper. The paper is a collaborative effort between two well-respected companies in the aviation industry: Honeywell, a global leader in manufacturing integrated avionics and engines and provider of various aviation services, and AIN, an independent media company that publishes industry news and analysis.

"It is great to see the thoughts, comments and suggestions from Duncan Aviation's team of respected avionics professionals included in industry white papers," said Mike Minchow, manager airframe service sales. "Our avionics sales team and tech reps spend a tremendous amount of time educating themselves on important topics like ADS-B so they in turn can be a valuable resource to our customers to help answer questions, provide options and direct aircraft owners and operators to the correct solution for their aircraft based on how they operate it."

The white paper details the history and mandates of the Federal Aviation Association’s NextGen initiatives and features information and insight from Duncan Aviation’s Avionics Installations Sales Rep Steve Elofson and Regional Avionics Sales Manager Mark Francetic.

"Knowledge is crucial to making sound decisions regarding your aircraft. We at Duncan Aviation will always provide you with the most current and accurate information so that you can make the best decisions for your aircraft and your company. Feel free to give me or our team a call about your ADS-B and NextGen systems," says Regional Avionics Sales Manager Mark Francetic.

For more information about ADS-B and the other NextGen initiatives contact Mark, Steve or any one of Duncan Aviation's knowledgeable avionics professionals (DuncanAviation.aero/nextgen).

If you’d like to read the white paper, it is free and available from AINonline Special Reports when you register here: http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/ads-b-mandates-worldwide-what-why-when-and-how?method=site.

 

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Tags: ADS-B, NextGen

How Are You Planning to Budget for NextGen Without Numbers?

Posted by Melissa Raddatz on Tue, Sep 15, 2015 @ 11:19 AM

How are you planning to effectively budget for the upcoming mandates on your Falcon airframe when you don’t know how much the ugrades will cost or how long your aircraft will be down? The answer is, you can’t…

…until know.

For years it has been a Duncan Aviation mission to help our customers become “smarter” business aircraft operators by providing valuable and relevant information in order for them to make the best-informed decisions.

Our Falcon specific Mandate Service Guides contain estimated costs and downtimes to be used for budgeting purposes as you look ahead to the coming months and years.

Available Falcon Service Guides
Falcon 2000
Falcon 2000EX
Falcon 900EX
Falcon 7X

Reguest your Falcon NextGen Service Guide now. 

Falcon NextGen Service Guides

 

A lot more goes into planning and budgeting for mandates than just numbers. When you are ready to gather proposals specific to your aircraft (all airframe models) and schedule, reach out to anyone in Duncan Aviation Avionics Sales.

Tags: Falcon, NextGen

ADS-B Out Mandate: Remembering The RVSM Crunch

Posted by Duncan Download Blog on Tue, Aug 25, 2015 @ 10:50 AM

full-hangar

Do any of you remember when the Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) mandate went into effect on January 20, 2005? There were 6,500 business aircraft that required upgrades for that mandate, and most installation facilities were at capacity for two full years prior to that deadline.

After the RVSM mandate went into effect, many operators were forced to fly below 29,000 feet until they upgraded their equipment. And some were inconvenienced for quite some time because installation facilities were filled to capacity for an entire year after the deadline.

As most business aircraft owner/operators know, the Federal Aviation Administration set a January 1, 2020 deadline to comply with the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) mandate. That deadline is approximately 1,130 working days away, and the FAA estimates there are 18,500 business aircraft (Amstat, Jets and Turboprops) that still need to upgrade their equipment.

If any of those business Part 25 aircraft intend to fly above 10,000 feet and in and out of airports with control towers after Jan. 1, 2020, they are going to have to be equipped with a WAAS/SBAS GPS, a 1090MHz Mode S Extended Squitter (1090ES) transponder and cockpit failure annuciators.

Facilities with avionics capabilities like Duncan Aviation have capacity today to handle the increased volume. In the coming months, though, as more and more aircraft need to schedule equipment upgrades, they’ll have to compete for hangar space with aircraft that are scheduled for inspections and maintenance events. Additionally, many avionics manufacturers are offering incentives today, but as the deadline approaches and demand increases, prices will definitely go up.

There are roughly three times as many business aircraft that require ADS-B Out equipment than required RVSM equipment, and without the ADS-B upgrades, those aircraft won’t be merely inconvenienced; they’ll be grounded until they comply.

When it comes to business aviation, I always tell my customers, “Best equipped, best served.”

For access the latest and most complete information about the upcoming mandates, go to Duncan Aviation's online Nextgen resource.

Duncan Aviation NextGen Resource

Contributed by Mark Francetic, regional avionics sales manager

Tags: Avionics Installation, ADS-B, NextGen

Duncan Aviation Launches Go-To Web Resource for All Aspects of NextGen

Posted by Duncan Download Blog on Thu, Aug 06, 2015 @ 07:00 AM

Mandate-Timeline_small

 

We are inside of five years now and rapidly closing in on the 2020 deadline for the NextGen equipment upgrades mandated by the FAA.

Do you know all that you need to know?  

Do you know what you don't know? 

Do you know where to go to find out?

 


If you want access the latest and most complete information about all things NextGen, you have hit pay dirt!  

And you can collect it here: www.DuncanAviation.aero/nextgen

The Duncan Aviation NextGen Information page is the go-to place for information about all aspects of the NextGen initiatives.

There you will find

  • a countdown to see exactly how many days, hours and minutes remain before January 1, 2020.
  • links to the equipment available for various make/model aircraft
  • contact information for all of our avionics experts around the country
  • publications about NextGen, including the Straight Talk about NextGen, the Straight Talk about ADS-B, blogs, and other articles about NextGen components.
  • top questions operators have regarding NextGen
  • a detailed timeline of dates for the NextGen mandates (downloadable!)
  • an informative webinar about FANS 1/A

Several Duncan Aviation's avionics team have been traveling the United States for a couple of years, holding free NextGen seminars. To find out more about these seminars or any of Duncan Aviation's other speaking engagements, check the Upcoming Duncan Aviation NextGen Events section of the web page for dates, times and registration information.

What are you wainting for? GO!

www.DuncanAviation.aero/nextgen

Tags: ADS-B, FANS, NextGen

Duncan Aviation & Safran Engineering Services Announce FANS-1/A STC

Posted by Duncan Download Blog on Wed, May 20, 2015 @ 08:50 AM

EBACE-John-Slieter-Wolf-Godart-von-Drachenfels-Safran--Aaron-Hilkemann

During a reception at the European Businss Aviation Convention and Exhibtion in Geneva, Switzerland, Duncan Aviation and Safran Engineering Services announced a new Supplemental Type Certificate for FANS-1/A solution that will cover the Bombardier Challenger 601-3A/3R business aircraft.

Safran Engineering Services will be in charge of the design and certification while Duncan Aviation will be responsible for the installation of the avionics into the aircraft. Duncan Aviation will be the owner of the Supplemental Type Certificate and is also responsible for the sales and marketing of the solution.

In the photo L to R: John Slieter, Duncan Aviation Vice President of Service Sales,  Wolf-Godart von Drachenfels, Executive VP Business Strategy, Safran Engineering Services (Safran Group), Aaron Hilkemann, Duncan Aviation President / CEO. 

Read the full announcement here

Tags: International Considerations, FANS, NextGen

Real Answers to Operator Questions About ADS-B

Posted by Diane Heiserman on Tue, May 05, 2015 @ 07:00 AM

Duncan Aviation recently released an updated Straight Talk book on the NextGen initiative Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). Intended as a learning tool to answer your questions regarding ADS-B Out, we also hoped it would inspire more questions and discussion surrounding the NextGen technologies.

We have not been disappointed. The questions have been rolling in ever since.

ADS-B_GraphicBelow are real questions from aircraft operators just like you and their answers.

What are the mandated interfaces required for ADS-B? We have found two formats right now and would like to know if there is going to be a required interface format to the receiver.

Answer: I don't believe that there is a mandated interface between the hardware components. However, there are only a couple being used. Off the top of my head, they are RS-232 and Arinc 429.

Do TCAS-II-equipped large airplanes see UAT equipped GA airplanes directly?

Answer: A TCAS-II-equipped aircraft will not see a UAT-equipped aircraft any better than if the aircraft did not have a UAT. A TCAS-II-equipped aircraft will see it by virtue of the TCAS. Did you mean ADS-R system?

That being said, several manufacturers have been experimenting with ADS-B signal processing as a component of the TCAS-II algorithm. You may see reference to "hybrid surveillance" in some publications. Hybrid Surveillance is exactly what you are imagining, where the TCAS system will see the ADS-B signals of other aircraft and add the information to its processing in order to achieve a more robust picture of the traffic in a particular area.

Why can't someone create a way to send a coded PIREP via ADS-B Out so ATC and every other ADS-B-In receiver can capture it? That way, in addition to FIS-B one could have real-time PIREPS AND Pilots would be much more willing to send reports versus changing frequencies to EFAS and verbally providing a report at great risk of missing a critical ATC transmission?

Answer: Unfortunately, ADS-B is not designed to carry messaging other than what is being mandated. However, digital messaging of all types is being developed as we speak, which will likely accommodate your idea.

If I have a 1090 Transponder, and a sat nav capability. Exactly what do I need additionally to comply with the ADS-B mandate? It is simply to format the sat nav info for 1090 broadcast, right? What would a simple system diagram look like for this integration?

Answer: You are close. The 1090 Transponder (for Part 25 aircraft) must be Mode S and meet the specification necessary to transmit ADS-B information. The GPS data must also be WAAS/GPS information supplied from a WAAS/GPS engine which meets the WAAS specification. Then they must be connected and configured properly. There must also be a component installed which monitors the WAAS/GPS/ADS-B data for failure which supplies that failure information to indications in the cockpit.

Is there such a thing as ADS-B In for 1090ES? Or is that only for UAT?

Answer: Yes...there is. Although the manufacturers have not focused on 'In' yet, as they are still struggling with 'Out', at least in terms of Part 25 applications.

How do I upgrade Honeywell Sys TCAS-II to 7.1

Answer: The upgrade for your Honeywell TCAS system depends on the exact system you have installed. If you provide us with the part number for the TCAS processor installed in the aircraft, we will be able to tell you the upgrade path.

In 2020 will the current transponder and Mode C equipment become obsolete and the FAA no longer accept codes and information from that equipment? Do I turn off my Mode C transponder on 1 Jan 2020, and not use it anymore?

Answer: The answer to your question depends on the specific aircraft you are referring to.

The short answer is no. Your transponder and Mode C equipment remains and ADS-B is added. ADS-B will become primary ATC and transponder secondary. Assuming you are referring to a Part 23 aircraft, you have the option of equipping for ADS-B with 1090ES transponder upgrades, or with a UAT transmitter.

How can I find out what version of transponder I have in a Falcon 2000, s/n 022

Answer: If you can tell me the part numbers of your transponders, I can tell you exactly where it stands. They will be Collins TDR-94Ds with Part Number 622-9210-XXX. The -XXX are the three numbers that I need to know.

Follow-up question 1: Both transponders have -008 at the end of the part number.

Follow-up answer 1: You have Elementary and Enhanced Surveillance with the -008 Transponders. They would need upgraded to -501 for ADS-B Out status. The pre-requisite for ADS-B will be a WAAS upgrade to your existing Flight Management Systems, which on S/N 022 (I believe) are the Collins FMS and GPS-4000s.

Follow-up question 2: The airplane is for sale and the buyers want to know if it’s just a software or hardware change. They are looking for a dollar figure for what it will take. Is it closer to 20K or 100K? We have Collins FMS, and GPS 4000a

Follow-up answer 2: It's a hardware change. For ADS-B, the airplane would need the WAAS upgrade with FMS upgrades, GPS-4000Ss and -501 TDRs with some annunciators in the cockpit. The mods would be closer to $150k.

Follow-up questions 3: This is great info. Without this upgrade, after December 2015 this Falcon will not be able to go into Europe?

Follow-up answer 3: No sir. The EASA mandate for 2015 is forward-fit. All new aircraft being certificated in EASA countries must meet the mandate. Retrofit aircraft (such as the Falcon) need to be retrofit by 2018. With that said, the Falcon may start to see some degradation of flight services because it is not equipped, but it will be legal to fly in EASA airspace.

What and when do we need to equip a 1975 Gulfstream II, s/n xxx?

Answer: I assume your G-II is N-registered. As such, the aircraft will need to be equipped with ADS-B Out in order to operate in U.S. airspace by January 2020.

In a Part 25 aircraft like yours, it will likely need to be fit with a WAAS-enabled GPS sensor and dual Mode S transponders which have ADS-B capability. I can tell you more if I had some detailed information about the current equipment configuration in the aircraft.

Besides the cost issues raised in the GA market to implement ADS-B, what are the key challenges, as of 2014, that lie ahead for meeting the FAA 2020 ADS-B mandate?

Answer: There are a couple of challenges we have been working to overcome. All of these issues are specific to Part 25 certificated aircraft.

         - Certification manpower and understanding by local FAA representatives.

         - ADS-B product development has been extremely slow to come to market.

         - The sheer number of aircraft and aircraft types.

How ADS-B information is used in Flight Management System (FMS)?

Answer: Your onboard Flight Management System does not employ ADS-B information. In some aircraft, the Flight Management System with an approved WAAS-GPS receiver can provide GPS information to the ADS-B system, but that is the extent of the interface.

What are the implications and deadlines for experimental aircraft?

Answer: The rules are indiscriminate between experimental and non-experimental aircraft or Part 91 and 135. They are dependent on where your aircraft is flying.

As with the current transponder operating requirements, the ADS-B rule requires operators to have ADS-B Out avionics installed and operating in order to fly their aircraft in the busiest airspace, as described below:

- Class A, B, and C airspace.

- All airspace at and above 10,000 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) over the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia.

- Within 30 nautical miles of airports listed in 14 CFR §91.225, from the surface up to 10,000 feet MSL.

- For Class E airspace over the Gulf of Mexico from the coastline of the United States out to 12 nautical miles, at and above 3,000 feet MSL.

The date for the mandated equipment to be installed, certified and operational is January 1, 2020.

How will ADS-B impact airfield design?

Answer: At this time, I don't know what impact ADS-B will have on airfield design. My guess would be that airfield design will be more affected by increased capacity needs in the future.

At Duncan Aviation, we continuously strive to be the voice of clarity in our acronym-happy aviation industry and aim to provide you with thorough information in clear, concise, no-nonsense language.

If you haven’t already, download your free copy of the most recent version of the ADS-B Straight Talk book here.

 Download PDF Now

Tags: ADS-B, NextGen

NextGen: For the Safety of Our Skies

Posted by Diane Heiserman on Tue, Apr 07, 2015 @ 02:12 PM

NextGen_Business_Aviation_AdvisorAn article by Duncan Aviation’s Regional Avionics Sales Manager, Mark Francetic, was recently featured in the Business Aviation Advisor. He talks about the greatest benefits to the NextGen system and how the future of flying, even though there will be more aircraft in less space, will be safer and more efficient.

You can read “For The Safety of Our Skies” here.

Francetic is traveling across the United States this year conducting free NextGen seminars to present useful, practical information about not only the technology but also precisely what equipment operators need to outfit and/or retrofit aircraft to comply with the mandates stipulated in the rapidly approaching 2020 deadline

For the current list of speaking events, see the schedule here: http://www.duncanaviation.aero/events/index.php

Tags: Avionics Installation, ADS-B, NextGen

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