NextGen, the FAA’s initiative to transform Air Traffic Control (ATC) from a ground-based radar tracking system to an aircraft-based, satellite positioned tracking system, has driven the FAA mandate that aircraft operating in airspace that now requires a Mode C transponder must be equipped with at least ADS-B Out by January 1, 2020.
ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast) is a satellite-based position and an aircraft-based transmission system that reports real time flight data automatically to ATC ground stations and local aircraft traffic equipped with ADS-B In receivers (see Figure 1 for a pictorial explanation).
What does this mean to you, the King Air owner/operator?
It doesn’t matter whether the cockpit of your King Air holds any variation of legacy (steam gauge) equipment or the latest in glass cockpit technology, everyone will need to be ADS-B mandate compliant.
Why the change?
What’s wrong with the current airspace control system? The current system relies on ground-based radar technology originally designed in the early days of World War II. Yes, there have been advances in technology and upgrades along the way but, even so, this solution doesn’t have the capability to handle the projected increase in air traffic capacity or the required safety requirements associated with the demand.
This has been talked about enough over the past few years, that we all know the mandate is coming, and as stated by Bruce DeCleene of the FAA, “If you want reliable access to controlled airspace, you must equip for ADS-B.”
You may be wondering – when to equip, how to get there, what to get, how much it will cost, and how long it will take. I hope to answer some of the unknowns you have in this article.
When should I schedule my upgrade?
Yesterday! The latest statistics from the FAA show that of the 160,000 estimated aircraft requiring ADS-B modifications, only approximately 28,000 have been accomplished. After doing the math, that means each month between now and the mandate deadline 4,000-plus aircraft need to be retrofitted for ADS-B Out.
The longer you wait, the more expensive it will be and the longer the downtime will become. If you’re an infrequent flyer and extended downtimes aren’t an issue, maybe this will work for you. If you rely on your King Air for revenue generation, you better consider this sooner rather than later. The current lack of response from the aviation community, in general, to equip for ADS-B is getting ready to hit critical mass as manufacture supply and shop capacity are not going to be able to handle the workload as we fast approach December 31, 2019.
How to get there
In the general sense, an STC “paired” WAAS GPS receiver and transponder system is required. (LPV is a function of the GPS and FMS and is not required, but budget dependent is a nice upgrade). As a legacy flight deck King Air owner of any model, options from the least expensive transponder swap-out to the high-end cockpit upgrade are all available options.
With almost 9,000 King Airs flying in any number of different avionics configurations and your specific piloting requirements, your shop is the best support mechanism in figuring out what options fit best. Whether sticking with your beloved OEM equipment for upgrades or opting for more advanced features, third-party solutions as replacements, the choices are abundant.
Typical OEM solutions provide ADS-B Out compliant-only upgrades. The costs associated are based on the dash number and mod status of your existing equipment. This can be as simple as a minimal cost service bulletin upgrade or as costly as full equipment replacements. From a Rockwell Collins standpoint, the simple rule of thumb is if you have any variation of TDR below a TDR -94 -007, these units will be required to be replaced with new TDR -94 -501s. It doesn’t matter if you have straight TDR -94s or TDR -94Ds (TCAS-II) applications, both apply.
The second segment of this process (below) occurs once the ground station receives the information, processes the data and rebroadcasts throughout the local coverage area. TIS-B (Traffic Information Service-Broadcast) and ADS-R (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Rebroadcast) work together to transmit a comprehensive traffic awareness for aircraft in the terminal area.
The same holds true for the GPS. A WAAS GPS receiver is the backbone of the ADS-B as the position source information. While there are various options, I will talk about two here that are incorporated in OEM applications. Upgrading to the GPS-4000S from Rockwell Collins is an easy solution as a “slide in” replacement to the existing GPS-4000(). With minimal wiring between the transponders and GPS receivers this is one of the simplest options available. This upgrade doesn’t require additional pressure vessel penetrations for new antennae, and therefore no additional engineering costs.
Installing a stand-alone WAAS GPS receiver such as Free Flight’s 1203C to provide the position source is another way to meet the mandate with little to no effect on the OEM flight deck. If you find yourself in a place that upgrading the transponder is nothing more than a service bulletin but a GPS source is the issue, moving to a stand-alone GPS may be the way to go. Remember, these options are ADS-B Out only.
Other third party ADS-B options include Garmin’s WAAS GPS systems (legacy GNSs or the new GTNs) and ADS-B transponders. These options offer feature rich ADS-B In applications that are available to both panel mounted displays and personal electronic devices (PEDs), such as the iPad™ and Android tablets.
Most solutions are straight forward and easily understood. When the cost of upgrading your existing equipment to be compliant climbs into the mid-to-high five figures, or even into the low six figures, it’s time to evaluate options. Maybe a flight deck upgrade to Garmin glass or a full radio suite upgrade is a better solution for you. Talk to your shop and look into your options, because the added features provide free FIS-B weather and TIS-B traffic to compliment your existing avionics and may be a better, more economical solution.
What you get
Meeting the mandate will get you ADS-B Out only. You will not see any changes in the flight deck or pilot operations. If you want features that are not available on your OEM avionics suite even after this modification, this is the point where considering alternate solutions outside the typical OEM equipment can provide you with increased capabilities in the way of adding free ADS-B weather, traffic and a host of other features such as wireless flight plan uploading and WAAS/LPV operations. This may be just what you’re looking for.
I can’t emphasize enough how important a role your avionics shop should play in determining the best value-added solution appropriate for you. Having a knowledgeable shop that understands the options available based on your given budgetary requirements will be the biggest factor in determining the best options for you to choose from.
How much will it cost?
Cheaper is NOT always better and when getting quotes to upgrade your aircraft, whether for mandate compliance or anything else, always compare apples-to-apples. If there’s a large discrepancy in pricing between quotes that usually indicates something other than a great deal. Ask questions to get more information. Quotes should not vary by more than around five percent of total cost. It does no service to ask for competing quotes between shops if we’re not all on the same page.
Once you have a few quotes that meet your requirements, the options are very similar and the pricing between them are in alignment, it’s time to determine which shop you believe is the best fit for you. Factors such as who has the experience, the support capability and the reputation for providing a solid customer experience throughout the process and beyond, are the items that should be a top priority in your consideration.
Something to consider is Flight ID. Applicable to the TDR-94 applications, an important consideration is the capability to change the flight (FLT) ID by the flight crew. As a cost savings on the more complex avionics suites, CMD Flight Solution’s ADS-B STC amendment eliminates the need for controller and interface computer upgrades by removing the ability for the flight crew to change FLT ID. If this is not an important requirement for you, consider using CMD’s AFID (aircraft FLT ID) adapter for cost savings instead of modifying the complete avionics suite for dynamic FLT ID changes.
For specific examples, see the sidebar for several options that have been vetted to provide a good rough order of magnitude (ROM) estimate to budget your upgrade.
How long will it take?
Based on the solution you select, parts availability and the associated ADS-B option, upgrades can be done in as little as one-to-two days or a few weeks. The disclaimer here is the same that I stated before – the longer you wait, the longer your downtime and higher the costs will be, because the demand will be higher and the supply lower.
In Conclusion
Because ADS-B is a mandate affecting all aircraft operators, an interesting side effect is it’s made you all smarter avionics shoppers. Use that knowledge to help your avionics shop provide the best solution for you. If you still don’t feel you know enough about this subject, don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s vital you and your shop are on the same page or you very well may end up dissatisfied with the outcome. If your shop has supported your aircraft for some time, you should be able to call them and get rough baseline numbers. Knowing your equipment list and the current part numbers is not only helpful in the quoting process, but can make the difference when your aircraft gets to the shop and having additional charges added.
Finally, it’s time to mention the added security. As it stands, installations being completed are coming out with about a 20 percent failure rate. Although all shops doing ADS-B installations are required to have the proper equipment and tooling to complete ADS-B compliance ground checks, some don’t. Installations aren’t always done correctly or the configuration data isn’t loaded accurately during post-install configuration. I highly recommend for your own piece of mind to either ask your shop for a copy of the FAA’s ADS-B Performance Report for your airplane after it’s been returned to service or you can get it yourself. By receiving the ADS-B Performance Report, you’ll have a report from the organization that matters, the FAA. This information will grade your installation and if there are any problems, they will be identified. If you choose not to go this route, you can always assume that your shop did the job correctly and hope to not get that letter from the FAA informing you otherwise.
Better to be safe, in my opinion. Here is the link to FAA’s ADS-B Performance Report: https://adsbperformance.faa.gov/PAPRRequest.aspx
Common ADS-B Options for King Airs
Garmin GTN/GTX King Air Package:
Meet the mandate with the power and price point of Garmin.
Upgrade the following:
- Upgrade GNS-430W to GTN-625
- Install GTX-345 ADS-B In/Out Transponder
- Install GTX-335 ADS-B Out Transponder
- Install Flight Stream 510
What do you get?
Upgrade from the existing GNS to a GTN touchscreen to meet all the existing requirements of the removed GNS and on-screen control of the transponders. Installing the GTX-345 provides ADS-B In/Out with the backup GTX-335 for ADS-B Out. The Flight Stream 510 opens the ability for wireless cockpit connectivity for flight planning, weather, traffic and a backup attitude indicator.
How long will it take?
The install upgrade from existing equipment to a solid baseline Garmin solution takes five working days based on work scope and Garmin’s part lead time.
How much will it cost?
The actual cost for your aircraft will depend on the exact part numbers and mod status of existing equipment installed in your aircraft. Typical installations range between $10,418 to $28,145.
Garmin G1000 to G1000nxi Upgrade:
Garmin has listened to what King Air G1000 operators have asked for and have delivered.
Upgrade the following:
- Replace existing pilot and co-pilot PFDs with new GDU-1050s
- Replace existing MFD with a new GDU-1550
- Replace existing display Controller with a new GDU-477
- New software load
What do you get?
Upgrading the G1000 gets you performance-plus! Garmin will provide you with features such as ADS-B In/Out with FIS-B weather and TIS-B traffic, wireless cockpit connectivity, enhanced situational awareness with SurfaceWatch, visual approaches, active radar map overlay on all screens and a host of other advancements.
How long will it take?
The upgrade from G1000 to G1000nxi can be done in as little as two days. Drop it off day one, pick it up by lunch on day two.
How much will it cost?
The typical cost for this upgraded install is between $46,845 – $50,410. If your G1000 has been done in the past two years, take advantage of Garmin’s rebate program. Ask your shop for more details.
Garmin G1000nxi Installation:
Upgrade to the new G1000nxi, an avionics revolution for your cockpit.
Upgrade the following:
- From nose-to-tail and wingtip-to-wingtip this is a full avionics suite transformation.
- Whole new glass cockpit. LPV capable WAAS/GPSs, digital AHRS/ADC, digital radar, digital autopilot and more.
What do you get?
Where the G1000 left off with its very capable avionics suite the G1000nxi has picked up. With the ADS-B In/Out, take advantage of FIS-B weather and TIS-B traffic, wireless cockpit connectivity, enhanced situational awareness with SurfaceWatch, visual approaches, active radar map overlay on all screens and a host of other advancements.
How long will it take?
The upgrade to G1000nxi can be done in 15 days. It will be worth the wait!
How much will it cost?
The actual cost for your aircraft will depend on the options selected and trade-in value of existing equipment installed in your aircraft. Typical installations range between $341,750 – $389,995.
Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Airspace Modernization
With Pro Line 21, the foundation has been set. Rockwell Collins’ block point upgrade with Airspace Modernization provides mandate compliance and more.
Upgrade the following:
- Upgrade all three AFDs to -3010E
- Install new Synthetic Vision Computer
- Upgrade DBU to -5010E
- Upgrade TDR-94Ds to -501
- Upgrade GPS-4000() to -010
- Upgrade IFIS to latest status (required)
What do you get?
This fully integrated install will be certified using Rockwell Collins STC SA11133SC. The modifications include ADS-B mandate compliance, add WAAS/LPV flight performance, and synthetic vision technology.
How long will it take?
The upgrade from Pro Line 21 to Pro Line 21 Airspace Modernization takes 15-18 working days based on work scope and Rockwell Collins’ parts exchange and upgrade lead time.
How much will it cost?
The actual cost for your aircraft will depend on the exact part numbers and mod status of existing equipment installed in your aircraft. Typical installations range between $102,717 – $236,145.
Note: The above explanations are general options, if your panel has had separate avionics enhancements added, it will be different.
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