Non-WAAS G1000 -- ADS-B Future

[smoss]

good luck! Keep us posted. Where did they say the additional GPS antenna would go, and how would the wiring be routed?

[Kyle]

Thanks. They started this morning and expect to complete the installation tomorrow. The GPS/ADS-B antenna will mount to a bracket that will be epoxied inside the fuselage, to the top behind the aft baggage compartment. I understand the bracket is similar (maybe the same) as the bracket used for the GDL69 antenna.

[Charles K]

Any more progress notes on your install?

[Colin]

I just read this on BeechTalk, so they are in the same (similar?) boat:

To be compliant for ADSB out in your G1000 Cessna, Mooney, Cirrus, etc. just get your transponder updated to ES ($1200 or so) and have some wiring added to your backplane. But if you own a Beech the output of you GPS receiver is not compliant for ADSB (Even if you spent $30K to upgrade to WAAS). So you need to buy a new transponder (GTX345 with GPS), add a GPS antenna to you aircraft, change out the transponder connector, rewire the backplane for the new unit. Cost around $10K. However your new GTX345 will not be able to display FIS-B weather or ADSB Traffic on you G1000 display.

[Kyle]

The install took the shop 2 full days and several phone calls to Garmin but all seems to be working well after several cross-country trips. Here are my observations:

I believe someone else mentioned this, but I definitely suggest being around when the shop gets to the configuration phase of the install to verify all the transponder aircraft parameters they enter are correct. The voice type and volume of the traffic advisories can also be adjusted to your liking.

The XPDR operation on the G1000 remains the same, the only difference you'll notice is that it always remains in ALT mode.

The NEXRAD, METARs, TAFs, and traffic on the MFD all work well. I've continued to use my iPad with a Stratus 2S for comparison. The weather seems to match and gets updated at consistent intervals. I tend to see more traffic targets on the G1000 than I do on the iPad. I would like to see a way to "Hide Distant Traffic" like Foreflight has as a target that is 30,000 feet above you will show up just like a target at a closer altitude until you zoom in enough that the altitude difference shows up.

My only complaint is regarding the strength of the bluetooth connection. On the ground, I can usually connect with no problems but in the air, I usually can't even pair my iPad (or iPhone) from the front seat, requiring me to continue to use my Stratus for the iPad. I haven't had much of a chance to experiment yet or get the shop to look at but I'm hoping this is something that can be fixed.

[HPNAviator]

For what its worth my flying buddy was told by a Garmin rep at Oshkosh that the level of electromagnetic protection surrrounding the transponder LRU in the DA40 G1000 card cage in the rear of the plane prevents the Bluetooth signal from the GTX345R from being received by an iPad or iPhone in the front of the plane.

[rwtucker]

For what its worth my flying buddy was told by a Garmin rep at Oshkosh that the level of electromagnetic protection surrrounding the transponder LRU in the DA40 G1000 card cage in the rear of the plane prevents the Bluetooth signal from the GTX345R from being received by an iPad or iPhone in the front of the plane.

If this turns out to be true, all you can do is shake your head in amazement.

[Colin]

It seems like another antenna, to extend the bluetooth outside the enclosure, would solve the problem.

I think Foreflight is meant to be able to push stuff back and forth to the GTX345R, and I assume that will be via the Bluetooth. It would be a shame to lose that capability.

[HPNAviator]

According to the Garmin website the GTX 345R at this time does not support bidirectional flight plan transfer. The Bluetooth supports Weather, Traffic and attitude (via the internal AHRS in the GTX 345) information on the iPad. However as previously noted the Bluetooth antenna is shielded and thus the Bluetooth signal can not be received by the iPad. A non-G1000 DA40 using the panel mounted GTX 345 would not have this problem.

[rwtucker]

I can think of a few different kinds of fixes for this. The least complex in terms of regulations would be a Bluetooth range extender mounted (or even placed) in the luggage area. The suitable ones I am familiar with are component pieces that would need to be packed inside a small plastic enclosure along with a battery and switch. Once you were satisfied with the results a more permanent configuration could be worked out. Sounds like a small product entrepreneurial idea for someone.