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-   -   Possible AD for certain NAVWORX ADS-B Units (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=142967)

fliier 11-22-2016 09:23 PM

I'm guessing this would be coming from the manufacturing side of the FAA. It's entirely possible Navworx doesn't want to to"let them in" as this would be a waste of time until the issues with the engineering side are resolved.

Not sure what they would inspect, since the manufacturing must surely be shut down pending resolution of the AD.

John Allen

az_gila 11-22-2016 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fliier (Post 1128781)
I'm guessing this would be coming from the manufacturing side of the FAA. It's entirely possible Navworx doesn't want to to"let them in" as this would be a waste of time until the issues with the engineering side are resolved.

Not sure what they would inspect, since the manufacturing must surely be shut down pending resolution of the AD.

John Allen

The manufacturing data and the unit test reports for each serial number...

Paul 5r4 11-23-2016 10:47 PM

Interesting there hasn't been a peep from navworx regarding this whole thing. The letter on their web page states to check back for weekly updates... and this thing broke open a month ago. If you call them, it goes to the mailbox.

I did go flying this evening and was interested to see if my navworx 600 EXP was receiving. There's an earlier post here someplace that theirs quit working 5 minutes into the flight. I can report that mine did not quit working. However there was a king air, a bonanza and another RV that made position reports with each of them being less than 10 miles from me, (I'm set for 25nm and +- 2500 feet). I was looking for them on the ifly and no joy. The king air did show up on my Zaon XRX. Each was at a different time but all were within about 10 minutes of each other. The entire time there was other traffic showing up on my screen. Is this something the FAA is doing with navworx units or is there another answer?

flightlogic 11-24-2016 09:13 AM

Beta
 
I, like many other members here, read just about anything that pops up on the topic of ADS-B. Taking all I have seen personally and also read about... leaves me feeling that all of this is really still in the BETA stage. Traffic that does not show up, compliance reports that fail or just show no data...
Approved or not approved GPS receivers and so forth.
I never saw such a push to have the general public adopt a technology so far before a mandated calendar date... and at considerable expense. It illustrates the power of the airlines and influence of big money.
Navworx should have released an immediate press release, if they have an adequate explanation. I don't think we will see the demise of radar sites anytime in the next thirty years. TCAS-II works well presently, as I don't recall hearing of many airliners being hit by light planes. I do suspect we will see more drone incursions... particularly after major gifting holidays.
I have made good use of the weather products coming from the ground stations on UAT frequency. But that is about all I see so far that is a tangible safety enhancement. Chime in if you think I am way off base. Cheers. Nick

David-aviator 11-24-2016 10:42 AM

Effective 11/22/2016 FAA Suspends Approval of Certain NavWorx ADS-B Units.

The reason stated was that the FAA was denied access to the property to inspect the facility 3 times.

The issue is over internal GPS installed in -B units with part numbers 0012 and 0013.

The latest company statement is posted on their web site. They are awaiting the outcome of the AD which will be resolved around December 20.

GalinHdz 11-24-2016 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flightlogic (Post 1129204)
I never saw such a push to have the general public adopt a technology so far before a mandated calendar date... and at considerable expense.

I take it you were not in aviation when Mode C transponders became mandatory. It's Deja Vu all over again. :cool:

rleffler 11-24-2016 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David-aviator (Post 1129238)
Effective 11/22/2016 FAA Suspends Approval of Certain NavWorx ADS-B Units.

The reason stated was that the FAA was denied access to the property to inspect the facility 3 times.

The issue is over internal GPS installed in -B units with part numbers 0012 and 0013.

The latest company statement is posted on their web site. They are awaiting the outcome of the AD which will be resolved around December 20.

You think the news will change between the press release this week and the end of next month? Navworx needs to quit acting like an ostrich and start dealing with the issues. There appears to be a significant lack of transparency.

DennisRhodes 11-24-2016 03:26 PM

The FAA indicates the approved GPS sensors for the Navworx certified unit is the Aspen Avionics Accord Technologies NexGen Mini. Accord Tech site indicates they have a second one Maxi and a new one labeled Micro. Appears that the Mini is the only one Navworx has TSO to use. Also interesting to note, Mini appears to be the same one used in the Trig TT3x, also certified for use in Dynon and Bendix King units. Not that this means anything just interesting info I found in looking at some of this. FYI

David-aviator 11-24-2016 06:44 PM

I do not know what is going on with FAA and NavWorx.

It would appear to be a peeing contest at local level.

I was talking with local FBO owner thus week, FAA inspectors show up and wanted to inspect his shop. When asked what they were looking for they would not say. He denied them access and they left.

He then called an FAA attorney about the incident and was told have them call me next time.

I do believe, rarely, but sometimes, the FAA does have a local loose canon, new guys trying to make a mark.

dwschaefer 11-28-2016 09:07 PM

Not sure I'm worried.... about NavWorx
 
I'm not jumping off the cliff yet ... I've had my Navworx ADS600B since 2012 and I've always found them very quick to reply to any questions I've had. I noticed today on the site that Bill had updated that there is an approved upgrade if the AD goes into effect. So I'll wait and see what happens... but 800+ pilots will be much less safe in high-traffic areas without units we've come to rely on.

ON SOAPBOX: However, I've always been curious about the "certified GPS" issue.. I asked the FAA at Oshkosh several years ago about the requirement.. since our current GPS units are very very accurate...and got no good answer. Back then only the big guys offered 'WAAS cerified GPSs' that could be used. I suspect my trusty old 430 is accurate to less than the width of my RV6 .. which should be good enough for traffic separation etc. I really hope that the controllers don't direct anyone closer to me than that.. yet there is this mandate for EXPENSIVE GPS upgrades or new receivers...to what benefit? There must be a middle ground.

We've got to support the smaller vendors ...even during challenges .. Navworx made ADS-B cost effective while the big guys wanted 2-5x the amount. The same holds true for our 'glass' cockpits .. without GRT, Dynon or Advanced there would be no low cost option for the experimental population.

I for one have called my Representative .. who happens to be a big-time pilot and a primary sponsor of the 3rd class medical bill... everyone should do the same. Without a proliferation of lower cost avionics, flying will become much too expensive for regular people.

OFF SOAPBOX: Sorry about that!

Regards,

DWS


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