hotrod180 wrote:...that everyone will raise so much hell about it, that the whole ADS-B thing will just go away.

I really dont understand what all the fuss is about. I have been taking advantage of ADS-B for the past 150hrs since I finished my wagon project and I find it amazing. Although not a panacea, it is a fantastic tool that has helped situational awareness.

I think it kinda depends on where you want to go and how much you want or have to spend to get there.

bigrenna wrote:

hotrod180 wrote:...that everyone will raise so much hell about it, that the whole ADS-B thing will just go away.

I really dont understand what all the fuss is about. I have been taking advantage of ADS-B for the past 150hrs since I finished my wagon project and I find it amazing. Although not a panacea, it is a fantastic tool that has helped situational awareness.

I agree with you, Greg! When I first started flying TCAS-equipped aircraft in 1993, people were saying all the same things we are hearing about ADSB now. The fact is, we all realized we were seeing a LOT MORE traffic than before, and we were aware of traffic behind us and overtaking that we had no possible way to see before. The traffic alerts we get allow us to know exactly where proximate traffic is, whether it is above, at, or below our altitude, and whether it is climbing or descending. Taking that info in takes all of half a second and now you're scanning visually and it is easy to acquire the traffic.

I understand the cost issue for a lot of owners, the fact that the system now isn't where it should be, and some of the limitations of the technology. The utility of the program improves with greater participation, though. Our 185 is ADSB equipped now. The Bush Hawk has a Ryan TCAD, and we will be adding ADSB at some point soon. There are some new, lower-cost options becoming available now. We will see how it all pans out, I guess.

We've got ACAS in our EC-145's. It's a great SA multiplier.

bigrenna wrote:

hotrod180 wrote:...that everyone will raise so much hell about it, that the whole ADS-B thing will just go away.

I really dont understand what all the fuss is about. I have been taking advantage of ADS-B for the past 150hrs since I finished my wagon project and I find it amazing. Although not a panacea, it is a fantastic tool that has helped situational awareness.

Greg,

One of the issues is that you are talking about a completely different animal than the regulation calls for opinion 2020. You're talking largely about ADS-B in, but the reg only requires ADS-B out.

And, as of yet, the FAA hasn't settled on exactly what "flavor" of "out" will be acceptable. So if you have ADS-B out now, it may or may not meet the yet to be finalized standard in 2020. Hopefully it will, but......bear in mind that to date the FAA has said no transponder will be required, then changed their mind, and a few other changes.

Also, it is becoming apparent that the current ADS-B technology may not be accurate enough to provide "radar-like" traffic separation.....which was specifically the purpose it was developed. Doesn't mean it won't give you valuable "hints" of course....but only with "in" which is not to be required. And we don't know if that'll change as well.

And, it's expensive. I mean no offense to you, but you've out way more money in your airplane than a lot of us could afford. It's expensive....and, I don't have an electrical system. I shouldn't care, you say, because I'm exempt? Read Soy's comment above and read my diatribe about drones in this context in another thread.

One more point: The FAA decided to introduce ADS-B in western Alaska, many years ago. They spec'd out the equipment for a bunch of planes, got the stuff installed and operational, then "discovered" that the Air Force was using that frequency for datalink between F-15s operating in the Stony MOAs. In other words, the FAA didn't check to see if the freq was in use. The AF had to change their equipment to deconflict.

So, these are the folks who are deciding what equipment we should/must install in our aircraft.

And, the drones are coming.

MTV

bigrenna wrote: I really dont understand what all the fuss is about. I have been taking advantage of ADS-B for the past 150hrs since I finished my wagon project and I find it amazing. Although not a panacea, it is a fantastic tool that has helped situational awareness.

Like Contact said, it all depends on where you wanna go & how much you wanna spend.
Renna, I'm curious how much you've spent to have ADS-B (apparently) both -in and -out?
I saw something recently suggesting I could have what'll be required to be legal for like $1700. While that's more than I wanna spend on a leper's bell, I guess I could live with it.