Moorabbin-based Enigma Avionics has revealed they are developing an ADS-B system for VFR aicraft that is more economical than existing products, but has greater capability.
Speaking at Ausfly today, Enigma Technical Director James McDonald said the industry was looking for a better solution than those currently available.
"Current mandates cover the requirement for all IFR aircraft in Australia to be equipped with ADS-B by early 2017," he pointed out. "It is generally agreed that safety in our skies will be significantly enhanced if VFR aircraft were to also equip.
"What's missing is the ability for VFR and light sports aircraft to self-equip at reasonable weight, power consumption and cost. Enigma's focus is on developing not only a cost effective ADS-B solution system, but also one involving a very simple installation.
"We believe we have achieved this challenging objective."
The FAA recently released TSO C199 Traffic Awareness Beacon System (TABS), a specification for not only ADS-B Out, but also for the ability for the device to be visible to active traffic systems including legacy Traffic Collision Alerting Systems (TCAS). Optionally C199 includes ADS-B In.
Enigma has released their 1090 Mhz based ADS-B TABS. According to the company, their TABS is compliant with TSO C199 and includes ADS-B Out supplied by a compliant GPS, a fully integrated barometric altitude source, 1090 Mhz ASD-B In with BlueTooth interface to external display systems, and a 1030 Mhz receiver making the device TCAS compatible.
This device "is as simple to install as conceivably possible," according to McDonald, "which also reduces the overall cost to a VFR aeroplane operator and with interfacing to EFB systems is also possible which further makes our system very attractive.”
More information is on the Enigma Avionics website.