TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft

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TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft

2/27/2019 7:17 PM

Michael Marra

Joined: 3/26/2014

Posts: 706

Re: TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft

So true, anyone who ever stripped, painted, waxed or even washed a "small plane" did not think it was so small upon completion!

We had a guy at our airport who was stripping his own plane -- he would do one square foot at a time. After it was all done, he found out the main spars were rotted on both wings and the plane was unflyable...total waste of time. Felt for the guy...anyway, that is why I am paying to have it done by a pro!

Looking forward to the TailBeacon - my understanding it they are nearly ready for production...the race will be on to see if we can get them by the end of 2019 to meet the 1 Jan 2020 deadline! I can see December being a busy month for certifications in complex airspace around here! Mike N714AJ

3/6/2019 6:08 PM

Mac

Joined: 4/16/2018

Posts: 18

Re: TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft

...just ran across this post on Spruce site re SkyBeacon -- that and some other "reports" indicate that it's going well:

by Nebraska F

02/14/2019

Extremely easy to install, the most difficult part is the paperwork! -)
Setup is a snap with the app
(rhyme unintended)
Had to wait 10 days for the validation flight due to (Nebraska) weather. Passed with flying colors! 0.0% errors.
Make sure you read AOPAs article on the subject. Very good tips.

3/11/2019 9:07 PM

Michael Marra

Joined: 3/26/2014

Posts: 706

Re: TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft

Mac,

Thanks for the positve update - I am hearing that things are going smoothly with installation from my 150 Club of America as well.

Several of us are now awaiting the TailBeacon as a matter of preference...

Only months to go before the Oct deadline for the $500 rebate and then a couple more before massive amounts of airspace are denied us if we don't have it.

Interestingly, most Dept of Defense aircraft DO NOT have it and won't have it by 1 Jan 2020 - which will create quite the dilemma in the DC area.

Mike N714AJ

3/13/2019 7:34 PM

Mac

Joined: 4/16/2018

Posts: 18

Re: TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft Modified By Mac on 3/13/2019 7:35:54 PM

Agree -- the tailBeacon surely seems well worth waiting for, Mike (and, with the skyBeacon now already backordered almost everywhere, the wait for the TB may not be any longer than for the already "approved" SB?) . The fit/taillight replacement is even easier than the skyBeacon is on the wingtip + much more "unobtrusive" back there IMO. In talking to the uAvionix folks @ SNF last year, one early flight test had indicated the possibility of a very rare/very occasional instance of the tailBeacon itself apparently "blanking" out the satelite signal. While almost imperceptable, it was not acceptable for their high standards for "perfect" operation. I'm told that their quick (and, relativey simple) fix was to make a small re-design of the antenna to absolutely ensure that it can "see" the satelite signal in any turn/any attitude/any position. Here's hoping the TB "approval" and availability for us certifieds will be soon! Keep us posted, Mike. Mac

3/14/2019 7:13 PM

Michael Marra

Joined: 3/26/2014

Posts: 706

Re: TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft

Thanks for that update, Mac!

I got word yesterday that the paperwork is STILL being approved at faa hq. for the TailBeacon. The word is that in APRIL they will be ready to SHIP. The group buy I am part of now has 133 participants - mostly Ercoupe, low-end Cessna, and other low-end $$$ GA aircraft are involved, hopefully for less than $2000 or so with tax and shipping. I have been told to "have my check ready" by 19 March to mail in to the Gent who is coordinating the buy.

In the meantime, my airport now has an "authorized dealer, installer, testor and validator" to sign-off the device, ensure it is in my aircraft logs, and has the rudder re-balanced with the new device. While I think I can do it, I am going to go with the official A+P and I am also going to buy a new rudder-cap for it so that all the hardware the new device is going into is all in new condition with no issues. Yep, that will cost me a couple hundred extra, but worth it in the long run as my rudder cap is looking a little weather-worn!

More to follow - we are getting closer, but so are the deadlines. Mid Oct for the rebate (if you hope to get it, which I am not counting on) and of course, the 1 Jan deadline. The race is on!

Mike N714AJ

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TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft

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