GDL 88 ADSB Problem - That Garmin Knows About????

[GeorgePerry]

Recently completed the ADS-B upgrade and installed a GDL 88.  Hopefully anyone considering the GDL88 sees this.  After really getting to see the GDL88 in action I've been extremely pleased.  However there is an issue that is a bit troubling.  During ground operations I kept receiving spurious failure indications.  By the time I got to the GDL status page on the GPS, the warning had disappeared.  Well today I finally got to see what was tripping the warning.  On the status page it said their was a CSA failure.  After getting some fuel and taxing back to the hanger the failure seemed to clear itself.  After discussing with my avionics shop they tell me this is a known problem with the GDL 88 and Garmin should have a fix soon.      That's disappointing esp considering what they are charging for the box.  I'm going to call Garmin Customer support and find out when the fix is supposed to be out.

 

Here's info from Garmin's site. 

 

Service Advisory 1463: GDL 88 Software Version 3.00 CSA Failure Indication

20 NOVEMBER 2014  / SERVICE ADVISORIES /

 

AFFECTED PRODUCTS:
 All GDL 88 models with Software Version 3.00.

ISSUE:
 After updating to GDL 88 System Software Version 3.00, an indication that the CSA (Conflict Situational Awareness - traffic alerting) functionality is failed will appear when the aircraft is not moving (has no current GPS track) and there is no source of aircraft heading provided to the GDL 88. In fixed wing aircraft, this typically occurs only when the aircraft is on the ground and is not moving. The CSA failure indication will clear when the aircraft begins moving again. The CSA failure indication when there is no current GPS track and no source of aircraft heading will be addressed in a future software release.

PILOT ACTION:
 No pilot action is required.

http://garmin.blogs.com/files/1463a.pdf

 

[Marauder]

George - you will find little gotchas like this with Garmin stuff. On my GTN, I have been dealing with a flickering screen for almost 18 months. It is a known issue and was recently just patched with the new firmware.

What you need to watch out for is the "enhancement" versus "required" fixes. Shops are charging for firmware updates that are not covered under the TSO service advisories. Even in the warranty period.

[Piloto]

George

 

What you are seeing is not a malfunction but a limitation of the ADS-B concept. In a traditional TCAS system traffic positioning is relative to the nose of the aircraft. So no heading, track or GPS position is required. But on ADS-B traffic positioning is relative to the North Pole. Without heading or track data to the display it will be unable to show traffic relative direction to the nose of the aircraft. This is most critical for helicopters were they could be hovering on a spot with no track generated. What display are you using?. Try a north oriented display mode. Maybe you can overcome the problem by providing heading input to the GDL88. Check the installation manual.

 

José

[jrm356]

There is no ADS-B concept limitation here. The GPS position of all the participants is known, and the absolution bearing to all of them is displayed, regardless of where the nose is pointing or if a track exists. The determination of relative bearing from a stationary target just needs the heading to be fed into the map. But, I don't think this has anything to do with the false CSA failure. Most likely there is a divide by zero (or something like that) when the heading and track are uninitialized. Which is why the problem clears when taxiing. Garmin will fix their algorithm and all will be well.

[GeorgePerry]

Heard from my avionics shop that GARMIN has released an updated software load for the GDL88 that supposed to fix the CSA failures and ownship traffic warnings.  Mine's being updated today.  Fingers crossed!

[ArtVandelay]

Heard from my avionics shop that GARMIN has released an updated software load for the GDL88 that supposed to fix the CSA failures and ownship traffic warnings. Mine's being updated today. Fingers crossed!

George, I got that and it appears to work but I've only flown 2 times since. Have you had you ADSB out checked via FAA?

[Marauder]

Heard from my avionics shop that GARMIN has released an updated software load for the GDL88 that supposed to fix the CSA failures and ownship traffic warnings. Mine's being updated today. Fingers crossed!

George, I got that and it appears to work but I've only flown 2 times since. Have you had you ADSB out checked via FAA?

You boys work out the bugs on this stuff... I'll join you in another year or so

[GeorgePerry]

George, I got that and it appears to work but I've only flown 2 times since. Have you had you ADSB out checked via FAA?

The ADS-B check with the FAA is part of the install requirements.  An avionics shop shouldn't release the plane until it's checked good with the required level of accuracy.  So Yep, mine was done and it's good.

[GeorgePerry]

You boys work out the bugs on this stuff... I'll join you in another year or so

 

SMART…This is the first thing that I can recall that gamin's put on the market that wasn't completely ready to go.  Everything else they've done has been much better vetted before consumers get their hands on it.  Although you can't blame garmin too much as the FAA's side of the equation [ADS-B, FIS-B and TIS-B] aren't perfect either.  

 

I wouldn't stay on the sidelines too long.  Most of the avionics shops in my area are already booked up months in advance getting ADS-B upgrades done.  Your milage might vary.

[DonMuncy]

The only thing wrong with that is the ADS-B isn't supposed to transmit until, it is in flight. A lot of avionic shops don't flight test.

[ArtVandelay]

The ADS-B check with the FAA is part of the install requirements. An avionics shop shouldn't release the plane until it's checked good with the required level of accuracy. So Yep, mine was done and it's good.

I'm getting a Val error, only when I'm on the ground, I'm not the only one, do you have the diversity option?

[Marauder]

SMART…This is the first thing that I can recall that gamin's put on the market that wasn't completely ready to go. Everything else they've done has been much better vetted before consumers get their hands on it. Although you can't blame garmin too much as the FAA's side of the equation [ADS-B, FIS-B and TIS-B] aren't perfect either.

I wouldn't stay on the sidelines too long. Most of the avionics shops in my area are already booked up months in advance getting ADS-B upgrades done. Your milage might vary.

The good news is that the only thing any of us are required to do is the "out" portion. And that can be met with an ES version of a transponder. When I was in for my IFR cert, I was offered a choice of a number of late model 327 transponders to to upgrade my non digital transponder. Where did these come from? From guys who migrated to the 330 ES and not an ADS-B solution.

I'm going to wait this horse race out. I want an integrated solution between my Aspens and the GTN. If it doesn't happen, I'm resolved to become a part of the squitter crowd and enjoy portable ADS-B "in" on my iPad.

And considering another recent entry into the market (L3), I'm willing to bet there will be other solutions coming forward. How about an MFD with a built in ADS-B solution? The L3 9000 series is headed in that direction. Just make the screen larger, connect it to a navigator and I am willing to bet you could sell a few...

[GeorgePerry]

I'm getting a Val error, only when I'm on the ground, I'm not the only one, do you have the diversity option?

No diversity…Just the straight 88

[carusoam]

Third Aspen screen...?

Best regards,

-a-

[GeorgePerry]

Just got the GDL-88 Version 3.2 software update from Garmin loaded.  So far so good!  Seems to do the trick.  No more false cautions  

 

http://garmin.blogs.com/aviationalerts/2015/02/service-bulletin-1501-gdl-88-software-upgrade-to-system-software-version-320.html

[GeorgePerry]

Just got the GDL-88 Version 3.2 software update from Garmin loaded.  So far so good!  Seems to do the trick.  No more false cautions  

 

http://garmin.blogs.com/aviationalerts/2015/02/service-bulletin-1501-gdl-88-software-upgrade-to-system-software-version-320.html

 

I found out today that the 3.0 to 3.2 software update is not covered under warranty, even though I purchased and had the 88 installed less than 2 months ago.  This is very disappointing.  I'd expect more from Garmin.  

[Marauder]

I found out today that the 3.0 to 3.2 software update is not covered under warranty, even though I purchased and had the 88 installed less than 2 months ago. This is very disappointing. I'd expect more from Garmin.

Welcome to the club... The only ones they pay for under warranty are the ones related to the STC. If it is an enhancement or something other than pertaining to the cert, they want you to pay...

I have the screen flicker and they won't cover it.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ArtVandelay]

I found out today that the 3.0 to 3.2 software update is not covered under warranty, even though I purchased and had the 88 installed less than 2 months ago. This is very disappointing. I'd expect more from Garmin.

My avionics guys do this for free...Sarasota avionics.

[mike_elliott]

Welcome to the club... The only ones they pay for under warranty are the ones related to the STC. If it is an enhancement or something other than pertaining to the cert, they want you to pay...

I have the screen flicker and they won't cover it.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Peter Garmin can explain why this is a good thing and the only way to go to you