rbs4159

Latest drama - After my last post on 1/31/15 after installing the new 'blue box' that contains the GPS unit, when I was still hopeful, the unit failed again, several times. This time, FreeFlight asked me to fly my aircraft to Executive Autopilots at Sacramento Executive (KSAC) for evaluation and repairs. I did, on Friday2/13 - the unit worked perfectly on the flight to KSAC, naturally, as is always the case with intermittent failures, and it also performed flawlessly on the ramp in Sacramento when I dropped it off. I left 14N there, rented a Hertz car to get home. Executive Autopilots replaced the ADS-B GPS antenna, the antenna-unit coax and connectors. I picked it up and flew it home on the 20th, knowing that every component in the GPS component had now been replaced with brand new components - BTW, FreeFlight paid for the new antenna ($1,200) but not the labor or coax and connectors, since they didn't supply those parts, the installer did. The unit functioned perfectly on the way home from KSAC to KWVI, and has been OK on the one test I ran since. Executive Autopilots said the coax and connectors looked fine, and they had no way to test the antenna but - and this was a big but - they thought that the GPS antenna being mounted about 2" from my old 121.5 Mhz ELT antenna could have been the problem - something about re-radiating that I still don't totally understand. So, my A&P and I removed the potentially offending ELT antenna and ELT and installed a new ACC E-04 406Mhz ELT and relocated the new antenna far aft on the fuselage, well away from the 2 GPS antennas - one is the panel-mount nav GPS and the other is the ADS-B antenna. I have to say that FreeFlight has been stand-up throughout this process, but this has been a major league hassle for more than 4 months. I'll keep testing until I'm satisfied it's working as designed. If it fails again, I have no idea what to do. My installer has denied any potential installation problems, of course. Stay tuned

Latest update - two weeks ago, Freeflight finally send me a new GPS unit. It has a much later serial number than the one originally installed. Since it's just a slide-out, slide-in replacement, I reinstalled it. Just took a few minutes. When I fired it up, it acquired a position fix in 75 seconds. By comparison, my panel-mount non-WAAS unit took 65 seconds, and my Garmin 496 portable took only 50 seconds, although it took the 496 almost 3 minutes to acquire WAAS. I have test flown I 3 times, and operated it on the ground a half dozen times, all with perfect results, the FAA compliance report shows no problems. I have my fingers crossed that my problems are in the past. Of course, FreeFlight won't tell me what their engineers found when the tested it over a month's time so I'm not sure. If I have anything more to report, I'll post it under a new thread. FreeFlight's technical and warranty service has been exemplary and I can recommend them to you all. Since my plane was on the cutting edge, I suppose a technical glitch wasn't terribly unexpected, but it sure was a hassle. One final thought - since I now know a lot more about this system than I ever wanted, I'll be happy to offer lay-person technical assistance to anyone who needs it, as the post-installation configuration is still quite tricky. richard4159@att.net

I still haven't heard back from FreeFlight about the problem(s) with my internal GPS unit, hopefully they'll have an answer before too long. If you already have ADS-B installed, you can send an email to the following address for a compliance report 9-AWA-AFS-300-ADSB-AvionicsCheck@faa.gov Include your tail number and the equipment you have installed, they will email you back within a couple of days. I found a very useful informational brochure on the FAA website - it's the July/August 2014 FAA Safety Briefing, written by Frances Fiorino, Titled ADS-B Ins and Outs. I agree that FreeFlight has been very helpful but I still don't have a functioning unit. I'll keep everyone updated as my issues continue to develop. R

I had the FreeFlight FDL-978-XVR with WiFi and internal GPS installed in my '68 Ranger in September. The installation seemed to go OK, although it took awhile (it was this installer's 2nd installation and the 1st one also has problems) and the installer never could figure out the post-installation configuration settings by following the installation manual. So, I called FreeFlight's tech support, and we were able to clear all 5 or 6 fault messages. In early October I flew to/from Reno and experienced no fault messages. After that flight I requested the FAA ADS-B Compliance Monitoring report - they reported no problems - their e-mail said, 'All looks good' and the report itself had no red blocks which indicate a fault. A couple of weeks later on a local flight, the internal GPS refused to acquire a position fix during a 1.5hr flight, even though my nav GPS units were fine. Again I asked for the FAA compliance report, and it reported in-flight failure. After that, I flew 4 additional test flights - 2 of them were perfect (although the internal GPS unit was and is VERY slow to acquire a fix) - the other two had a GPS fault message, meaning it never acquired a position fix at all. After talking to the FAA and getting compliance reports for all six flights - some showing no problem, the others showing a GPS failure - the FAA opined that they think it is a software or some other GPS unit failure. FreeFlight engineers had me remove the GPS unit and send it to them for evaluation, repair, replacement, or ??? - I haven't heard back yet. I'll keep the forum updated on what they find. Meanwhile, tracking down faults and determining proper configuration codes, I have learned a lot more about the system than I ever intended, and am happy to help anyone with questions.

I would like to buy a Garmin GNC 250XL, everything needed to install, unit, mounting tray, connectors, antenna, manuals. I will pay a fair price for the right unit. Richard N6814N richard4159@att.net 831-234-6516

I would like to buy a Garmin GNC 250XL GPS/Comm - need everything to install, unit. mounting tray, connectors, antenna, manuals. Will pay well for the right unit Richard Mooney N6814N richard4159@att.net 831-234-6516

I would like to buy a Garmin GNC 250XL GPS/Comm with the unit, mounting tray, antenna, connectors, manual - everything needed to install. Will pay well for a good unit Richard Mooney N6814N richard4159@att.net 831-234-6516

I would like to buy a King KLX 135A GPS/Com in working condition. I need all accessories including tray, connectors, antenna, manuals, and PC connection kit to download databases. Would also consider a similar Garmin unit. Am not interested in a GPS-only unit because I have to replace my #2 nav/com with this unit due to lack of panel space richard4159@att.net

Thanks guys, I've worked with Brittain, and they are very helpful. Unfortunately, these parts are hard to come by, and my best bet is to find someone who has them. Even if they need to be overhauled I'm still interested, since Brittain will repair or overhaul any of their components.

Sorry - my email is richard4159@att.net not sure what happens if you capitalize the first letter

The B5 is a different system than mine, which is a B11 & B12. The altitude hold will work with manual trim.

I still need a few parts for the altitude hold/pitch control systems. I need part #1895 pitch/alt on/off panel; 20022 pitch trim indicator; 11353 altitude reference chamber; 2982 5" servos (need 2 servos); and the pitch trim valve (don't know part #). I will pay top$ for any or all parts. Please email Richard4159@att.net or call me 831-234-6516

The PC system in my '68 C model works perfectly and I never disengage it. To make turns a bit easier, and on takeoff and landing, I depress the yoke button. When my son flies with me as co-pilot I just let him overpower it, which causes no damage, but keeps him from over-controlling, which he is inclined to do. I had both the Accuflite heading hold and Accutrak nav tracking systems installed last year, and they both work perfectly, as wel. The nav tracking system does wander some when chasing the CDI on a VOR, especially close to the station - when that happens, I switch to the heading hold. The Accutrak will induce an almost perfect standard rate turn. I have located most of the components for the altitude hold, as well, and when I locate the panel for it (if anyone has parts for it, please let me know, I'm interested in buying them), I plan to have it installed. Brittain, has been incredibly helpful and their prices can't be beat. BTW, keep your fingers crossed that they're all all right, they're in Tulsa, OK, right in the path of yesterday's storm and tornadoes. I have PDF installation and maintenance manuals for these systems that I could attach to an email if anyone needs them, but they can be obtained directly from Brittain, too.

Just another version of the Nigerian scam. Anyone who gets taken by those morons is dumber than they are

It's worth it in my opinion. The correct DG is an ARC G-502A, Edo-Aire # 4000D-1, part #IU262-005-20 - I know, we just installed the Brittain A/P in my '68 C model. The correct turn coordinator is a TC-100-EVS. I have a spare 100-EVS that would need to be overhauled, but it has the vacuum valve on the back, and the roll trim too. Let me know if you're interested. Not sure but I might have a spare G-502A as well.