ADS-B Transponder -- Do I need an ES?
 

With Freeflight and Navworx (and soon, others?) offering "compliant" ADS-B transceivers, which provide the 978 (and 1090) "out", do I need an Extended Squitter (ES) transponder or will a ordinary Mode C transponder, such as the G327 work? (a lot of money to be saved if the ES is not necessary, any longer).

I know the newer boxes will "mine" the Mode C transponder code and automatically configure the ADS-B broadcast to match.

Thanks for the help.

Ron

I have the FreeFlight transceiver (Rangr 978) and it works with my Garmin 327 transponder, no ES required.

TJ

Ron,
You do not need an ES transponder if you are going with a UAT out. However, if this is a new plane, you may find that an ES transponder (which only costs a few hundred more than a non-ES) is cheaper than equipping with a UAT. You can get a full Mode-S with ES for under $2,400.

small typo
 

Small correction: Freeflight and Navworx UATs operate on 978 (NOT 1090) MHz...

After 2020, to operate in the affected airspace, you need a UAT-out plus a transponder (mode C or S), OR a mode S-ES transponder; in either case, fed by a "position source" (gps) which meets FAR 91.227.

The 1090 capability, to my understanding, is only required if you plan to fly in Class A airspace.

Ray,
I believe that in order to fly international or in various countries such as Europe 1090 is needed. That being said the Bahamas stated at first they were going to require 1090out but it appears now that may be superceeded due to the fact they might lose a lot of revenue on visiting aircraft...
This is all hear say so we will see.

Jack

Good point, Jack. I wasn't thinking about other country requirements.

Canada
 

Any hints on future Canadian requirements for visiting planes?

Canada is slated to be 1090 out.
Jack

OK -- I see at least three advantages
 

to the "all-in-one" box, such as Freeflight or Navworx - (and, again, hopefully others).

1. No ES TXP needed
2. No other "position source" (for experimentals and LSAs) such as an expensive 430/650.
3. The traffic and weather can be displayed on my iFly or my iPad, or other inexpensive screens.

These advantages look like real money savers for folks who don't want/need avionics that represent a dollar value that is a large percentage of the value of the aircraft.