philiplane

The antenna problem has been known since 2009, in a variety of forms. It is not limited to WAAS antennas. There is a condition where an installed XM receiver can produce the same phenomenon. It will lock out reception of all GPS units within 30 feet of the airplane. Pulling the XM breaker instantly cures the problem. This can happen with the stand alone XM antenna, or with the combo XM/GPS antennas. It is a reradiated signal, which you'd think would be impossible from a receive-only GPS antenna. It also can happen when the XM or GPS coax coupler is not fully seated into the antenna. I had this happen with several customer's 2005-2008 Mooneys and 2005-2009 Cirrus with dual 430's and Heads Up XM weather receivers installed.

The NavStrobe kit is a great idea but has one major problem. It is not approved for Type Certificated aircraft. So it's currently only for the experimental market. The manufacturer does not possess a PMA to manufacture this product in accordance with a TSO. It's a two step process if your product fulfills the Fit Form and Function tests of a duplicate or improved version of an existing TSO'd product. You design a product as a direct replacement (which this mostly is, but at the same time is not, because it adds a strobe function to the nav lights), then apply to the FAA for a PMA, and if your product is proven to meet the TSO, you get a PMA to produce it. There is no such thing as "making it to the standard" and just selling it. Because this product combines a strobe function, the TSO is not just for the nav lamp. It is also for a strobe light, and there is no TSO that combines the two. It will be complicated under the current rules, which is unfortunate. They will probably need an STC unless Transport Canada agrees to combine the nav and strobe functions under a single, new TSO, or issues approval for both functions under existing orders. That will include placarding to explain the system function at the nav light switch. Someday this will be simple and we'll get great products with less hassle. But not today. Bottom line, if you install this on your TC'd plane today, you've rendered it unairworthy due to installation of Unapproved Parts.

While the NavStrobe is a great product, it is still not legal to install on Type Certificated aircraft. The company is pursuing a Canadian PMA, which the FAA will recognize. Until then, you would need a Field Approval to install them. You will also need special placarding for the nav light switch to describe the operations of the new system. The company claims that the lamps meet the TSO requirements of the FAA, but that is less than half the battle. Meeting a TSO qualifies a part as aircraft quality, and then you need a Parts Manufacturing Approval to sell a standard (TSO) product as an approved part. Under our current regs these are only for experimental aircraft. One day we'll get better regs that encourage innovative products like these, and cut the cost so more people can enjoy the benefits of improved lighting. I am in contact with NavStrobe and will post the PMA letter once it is approved. This may be 4-6 weeks, or 4-6 months, depending on Canadian bureaucracy.