Aspens News

[Marauder]

Looks pretty exciting especially the sharing of the ADS-B output to your iPad!

Customer Memo


26 March 2013

Dear Aspen Customer:

We are pleased to share with you the announcement of Aspen's ADS-B solutions. No matter what type of transponder you currently have installed, Aspen has a solution that will help you meet the FAA ADS-Out mandate, as well as allow you to take advantage of the free weather and traffic services available in the ADS-B In network. This morning's media release is included below.

Thank you for your continued support of Aspen Avionics.

Aspen Avionics Announces NextGen Solutions

Aspen leverages open-architecture for new ADS-B compatible products

Las Vegas, NV, March 26, 2013: Aspen Avionics announced today two new lines of NextGen products designed to give aircraft owners flexible and affordable options to meet the upcoming FAA ADS-B Out equipment mandate, and to access the subscription-free weather and traffic services available from the ADS-B In network. Aspen’s product introductions include a new, certified NextGen product line and an expansion to the company’s existing Connected Panel™ wireless cockpit technology.

“Consistent with Aspen’s design philosophy, these new products are open, compatible and designed to complement what aircraft owners already have in their panels,” says Brad Hayden, Aspen’s Vice President of Marketing. “In addition, these new solutions are optimized for our displays, giving Aspen customers even more value for their glass panel investment.”

Connected Panel ADS-B Solutions

Aspen is expanding the Connected Panel product line with the Connected Weather CG50. The CG50 is a small Wi-Fi receiver that hard-wires into Evolution displays and allows pilots to simultaneously view subscription-free ADS-B In weather on an Evolution PFD or MFD—and via an iPad from the same portable source. The CG50 portable ADS-B receiver interface can be retrofitted on existing Aspen displays already in the field.

Additionally, Aspen is introducing an upgrade to the Connected Pilot CG100, which allows users to display subscription-free weather from portable ADS-B receivers onto Evolution PFDs and MFDs. This new functionality can be applied to existing CG100 installations and adds ADS-B weather to the other core Connected Pilot features like flight planning and data logging.

Certified ADS-B Solutions

Aspen’s new certified NextGen product line provides ADS-B features pilots want, while leveraging installed avionics to keep flyaway costs low.

Aspen’s ARX100 dual-band ADS-B receiver is a solution for aircraft that already have a Mode S transponder with Extended Squitter and an ADS-B compliant GPS installed. The ARX100 is a certified ADS-B weather and traffic In solution and is compatible with Aspen Evolution PFDs and MFDs.

Aspen’s ATX200 dual-band in, 978 MHz out ADS-B transceiver is built for aircraft that have a Mode A/C transponder, or Mode S without Extended Squitter, and a WAAS-enabled GPS installed. The ATX200 provides ADS-B Out mandate compliance below 18,000 feet.

The ATX200G combines a dual-band in, 978 MHz out ADS-B transceiver and a WAAS GPS into one product, a perfect solution for aircraft with a legacy mode A/C transponder and without an ADS-B compatible GPS. Paired with an Aspen Evolution PFD or MFD, the ATX200G meets the ADS-B Out mandate while also providing access to subscription-free ADS-B weather and traffic.

“Designed to work with what aircraft owners already have in their panels, Aspen’s affordable NextGen ADS-B solutions provide an easy, cost-effective path to meeting the upcoming ADS-B Out mandate, while allowing many paths to exploit the free situational awareness features provided by the NextGen environment,” Hayden continues. “Additionally, in order to increase our overall compatibility with other manufacturers, Aspen’s NextGen solutions will support the Capstone Data Interface Protocol.”

Availability and Pricing

Aspen’s entire suite of ADS-B products will become available throughout 2013.

The Aspen ADS-B hardware and software products are priced as follows:

The ARX100 dual-band ADS-B receiver retails for $1695.

The ARX200 dual-band ADS-B transceiver retails for $3995.

The ATX200G dual-band in, 978 MHz out ADS-B transceiver with WAAS GPS retails for $4995.

The Connected Weather CG50 wi-fi receiver and interface to Evolution displays retails for $949.

The Connected Pilot CG100 software is included with the CG100.

Aspen has also made available an online ADS-B solutions configurator tool for aircraft owners to determine the Aspen solution that best meets their needs. The configurator may be found at www.aspenavionics.com/easyadsb.

Click for product images

Click for more Aspen News

About Aspen Avionics, Inc.

Aspen Avionics specializes in bringing the most advanced technology and capability from the commercial and business aviation markets into general aviation cockpits— and budgets. Our products increase situational awareness and reduce pilot workload, making it easier and safer to fly in both VFR and IFR conditions. The way we look at it, getting the latest avionics technology shouldn’t always mean spending a lot of money—on equipment or installation. At Aspen Avionics, we design products to be affordable, easy to install, and easy to own. The company can be found online at www.aspenavionics.com, and may be reached at (505) 856-5034.

About the Evolution Flight Display System

The Aspen Evolution Flight Display System is an affordable, expandable and upgradeable PFD, MFD and hazard sensor cockpit solution for general aviation aircraft and rotorcraft platforms. Highly compatible with existing aircraft avionics, the flexible Evolution Flight Display System lets aircraft owners install all Evolution Flight Displays and options at once, or separately, as their needs and budgets permit.

About Connected Panel

The Connected Panel system includes hardware, software and application components that provide two-way wireless communications between portable smart devices and certified panel-mounted avionics. The power to streamline flight-related activities is enabled via Aspen’s Evolution Flight Displays and a blind-mounted Connected Gateway box. A vibrant community of partners – inside and outside the aviation industry – is developing applications and products using Connected Panel technology that will offer convenient and powerful tools to use, manage, and store flight data. Connected Panel technology allows pilots to tie their world together seamlessly into a fully integrated flying experience. For more information, visit www.connectedpanel.com.


Aspen Avionics


5001 Indian School Road NE


Albuquerque, NM 87110


Press contact: (505) 338-2446

www.aspenavionics.com

[OR75]

That's great news to have more options.

 

But, I am still wondering what to do when having a non-WAAS GPS (no W GNS-430).  The WAAS upgrade is about ~3 - ~3.5 AMU. 

[Piloto]

Interesting news. The Aspen ADS-B product at http://aspenavionics.com/products/nextgen/atx200g

looks identical to the Freeflight product at http://www.freeflightsystems.com/products/ads-b/products/rangr

 

As for the non-WAAS G430 you can have Mode C/ADS-B traffic on it with the Monroy Traffic-Watch for much less.

 

José 

[OR75]

Interesting news. The Aspen ADS-B product at http://aspenavionics.com/products/nextgen/atx200g

looks identical to the Freeflight product at http://www.freeflightsystems.com/products/ads-b/products/rangr

 

As for the non-WAAS G430 you can have Mode C/ADS-B traffic on it with the Monroy Traffic-Watch for much less.

 

José 

I was thinking the same about Aspen and Freeflight. Even the connectors / Wifi antenna and annunciators look the same.

 

On the WAAS, I am really not worried about the "in"

 The ADS-B "in" part will be inexpensive whatever route we take. For a very simple reason: The FAA does NOT mandate it. You can get it on an iPad for a few hundreds.

 

The ADS-B "out" is mandated by the FAA . So it will be expensive.  ADS-B out requires a WAAS position source.

 

I am a firm believer in the free market and I know what it means.

[carusoam]

Asside from Garmin GTN...

What are the options for adding WAAS?

I have nice BK com radios, but no WAAS...

I have WAAS on my portable Garmin and SkyRadar/iPad....

Adding an Aspen along with GPSS with a source of WAAS would be a nice upgrade for modern navigation.

Don't get me wrong, I like the GTN series and have no allegiance to ADF and that other device that gives speed/distance to a ground based antenna.

Best regards,

-a-

[Piloto]

WAAS most significant benefit is for the LPV GPS approaches. These approaches are comparable if not better to ILS approaches. They can steer your autopilot from the IAF all the way to the runway. As for weather I use MyRadar apps on my Samsung S3/ATT. Unlike UAT/ADS-B WX, MyRadar works on the ramp, in the hotel, in-flight and everywhere in the US. With the current budget situation I don't know how long the UAT network is going to be supported. After all there is no utility for the general public since the airlines will not be using it. On the other side smart phones are getting smarter with more capabilities and greater coverage. 

 

José  

[carusoam]

Without WAAS, I am without LPV.

It looks like LPV is going to continue with the roll-out on a wide scale?

I don't like adding the cost of a GTN, just to get the WAAS value. Next best solution is a used 430W.

The used 430Ws are holding their value pretty well, installation is still high...

Is the Aspen WAAS capable on it's own? Or that is a requirement to come from somewhere else?

Best regards,

-a-

[Marauder]

The Aspen's display GPS information from the WAAS receiver. They have their own built in GPS but it is primarily intended to be a backup GPS in case of primary GPS failure.

[OR75]

Asside from Garmin GTN...

What are the options for adding WAAS?

I have nice BK com radios, but no WAAS...

I have WAAS on my portable Garmin and SkyRadar/iPad....

Adding an Aspen along with GPSS with a source of WAAS would be a nice upgrade for modern navigation.

Don't get me wrong, I like the GTN series and have no allegiance to ADF and that other device that gives speed/distance to a ground based antenna.

Best regards,

-a-

 

I never understood and still don't understand the usefulness of a portable GPS having WAAS

[bd32322]

I never understood and still don't understand the usefulness of a portable GPS having WAAS

Accurate altitude because of corrections from ground stations. Non-waas gps units do not have correct pressure or true altitudes.

Even then its probably a minr feature when you cannot use it for approaches.

[bd32322]

Accurate altitude because of corrections from ground stations. Non-waas gps units do not have correct pressure or true altitudes.

Even then its probably a minr feature when you cannot use it for approaches.

Sorry I stand corrected ... you do not get any form of true altitude with WAAS, just a more precise 2D location on the planet's surface.

So yeah dont see the point of WAAS handhelds

[Piloto]

I never understood and still don't understand the usefulness of a portable GPS having WAAS

 

There is no added manufacturing cost for adding WAAS. Most significant benefit is on altitude accuracy and position integrity. It is also a marketing edge vs those non-WAAS products. For the G560 it allow the unit to provide accurate vertical guidance all the way to the final approach. A handy feature when cross checking with your panel mounted TSO unit.

 

José 

[M016576]

1700 for an ADSB Reciever?! 1000 for a Wifi adapter?!

Here I was thinking the 800 bucks for the GDL39 was rediculous....

This aviation stuff is not for the faint of heart..

[peter]

There is no added manufacturing cost for adding WAAS.

 

That would be nice, but I don't think we're there yet.  The WAAS receiver spec is far more stringent than the old TSO C129 GPS requirements, requiring more sensitive components, improved robustness, higher design assurance, etc.   I don't think these things come for free.

 

Also, there are different types of certified WAAS GPS receivers - Beta I, II and III - approved for different types of operations.  The ADS-B position source needs to meet WAAS Beta 1 requirements - suitable for enroute navigation. This can be provided by a dedicated TSO C145 GPS sensor that can be independent from the aircraft's navigation systems, or it could come from a stand alone TSO C146 GPS navigator. 

 

Free Flight is using a TSO C145 WAAS GPS sensor module from Accord Technology to feed their ADS-B transceiver.  Pragmatically, that means an older aircraft can equip for ADS-B OUT compliance without having to pop $20k for a new GPS navigator. 

 

For non-certified WAAS systems in handhelds, the WAAS designation means that the system uses the geostationary GPS WAAS sattelite to improve its position accuracy. These non-certified devices do not meet any of the requirements for availability, reliability or integrity found in certified systems. The certification standards for WAAS GPS systems are very demanding, driven by the operational requirment that WAAS GPS system are approved as a sole source navigation system.  In fact, the entire NextGen system operating concept is predicated on the presumption of 100% GPS availability in every aircraft, all the time.  Without that, the system falls apart.

[Piloto]

Very well explained Peter but I was refering to the portable GPS Navigators. With prices essentially the same as prevoius non-WAAS units. As you indicated most of the cost is on the design and certification for TSOd products but manufacturing wise there is no significant added cost. You can get a GNS 430W new from aircraft Spruce for the same price it was when it first came out (non-WAAS).

 

José

[DaV8or]

So, to use these new Aspen devices, you have to have their displays?

[OR75]

Very well explained Peter but I was refering to the portable GPS Navigators. With prices essentially the same as prevoius non-WAAS units. As you indicated most of the cost is on the design and certification for TSOd products but manufacturing wise there is no significant added cost. You can get a GNS 430W new from aircraft Spruce for the same price it was when it first came out (non-WAAS).

 

José

price and cost are not always linked the same way