Might as well get ADS-B now for $500 more (or less) instead of fixing. Of course if this is the encoder, you will need a new one. But for now her is how I got ADDS B Out installed for $2,435
I have ADS-B in via a Gamin GDL 39 and Area 796. All I needed was ADS-B out to be legal. Appareo makes an all in one box (the Stratus ESG ADS-B Out and WAAS GPS) for only $2,995. Size-wise this is a replacement for most King and Narco transponders. I had a Narco AT-165 that was about 10 years old.
I emailed all the shops with 250 miles of my home base (KLVK) and found one that had a reasonable price for the install. Based on my research this only involved adding a tray, GPS antenna and re-pinning the connector. Far less work than a UAT 978 install. Shops up and down the state were coming in around $1,100 to $1,500 for the install.
Airtoroncs in Jackson CA called me about an hour after they got my email. After asking a few questions this shop made a firm quote over the phone for 6 hrs labor at $90 hr for the install, $540 total. It's really not that difficult to install a Stratus ESG. Pull the tray, re-pin the connector, mount the antenna, configure using the menus and ground test. It was a 30 minute flight to Jackson California for the install. Arrived early in the morning, done the same day.
Here is something I did not expect. Airtronics paid me $600 for my Narco AT165. That was more than fair. Apparently there is a very healthy secondary market right now for our used transponders in countries that do not require ADS-B. Airtronics has a relationship with an exporter. This is a unique situation that is not going to last when tons of transponders start to get replaced as we near 2020. Even more reason to upgrade now. I believe if you wait supply and demand, will make your existing transponder worth less a trade-in.
Another reason to do this now. We are talking about 1090 ES. My read on was 1090 ES is that it was kind of "reserved" for the big metal. GA was supposed to install the "lower cost" UAT 978 units. Well the increased cost of installing a 978 solution does not makes sense when compared to the lower cost of installing the Stratus and even the Garmin 1090 units in most GA aircraft. Also, you can't fly to Mexico or Canada (Belize or anywhere else for that matter) without 1090 ES. So in my opinion it won’t be long that the 1090 band gets congested and the FAA comes down with a directive around to save the band for the the jets and and carriers flying over 10,000 ft. routinely. I believe getting 1090 ES now might make sense.
Here is another cost savings hint. There was no need for a replacement transponder antenna. My spike antenna was fine. Many of the shops I contacted up and down the state insisted on installing a dual band "shark-fin" dual antenna for an additional $250. This is not necessary. If you are receiving ADS-B In via another device (i.e. Garmin GDL 39) there is no need for the dual band antenna. The Stratus ADS-B OUT is 1090 only. The unit is not going to receive ADS-B IN and there is no need to waste the money on a new antenna. My advice is to move on to another shop if they insist on installing the dual band antenna for ADS-B OUT only.
Here is another cost savings. Appero includes the external WAAS GPS antenna in the $2,995 price. I had mine mounted foot behind the rear window on my Cessna 182. Garmin's all-in one transponder looks competitive until you find out they don't include the GPS antenna. That is an additional $895. And Garmin is insisting on a dual band antenna transponder antenna even if you don't need ADS-B in. Another $250.
To get the $500 rebate you will need to fly for an hour. Yes, you must do the four 360 degree turns and the 90 degree crossing. The climbs and descents will occur naturally. A quick flight for 30 minutes did not cut it the first time I tried to certify. I recommend you fly slowly for an hour above 7,500 ft and do all the maneuvers required.
I did not certify within the airspace that you are required to have ADS-B. I was in class E airspace at 8,500 feet flying from Livermore CA to Willows CA. I had an excellent controller at Travis Air Force Base work with me to handle the maneuvers. I let her know what I was doing and she was extremely helpful. Trying to accomplish this within the Mode-C veil seemed a bit cumbersome given all the Class B airspace I would have to avoid. We need to clear this myth up. You do not have to certify within the airspace ADS-B is required. At least that was my experience.
After a hour and 10 minutes I landed in Willows CA. I waited 20 minutes and submitted my ADS-B Performance Report request via my iPhone. Then I sat back and enjoyed an excellent lunch at Nancy's Airport Cafe. About 25 minutes later I checked my email and I had my sold four GREEN bars on the ADS-B performance report along with the incentive code required to claim my FAA rebate.
SUMMARY:
Stratus ESG $2,995
Install $540
Trade-in $-600
Rebate $-500
Out of pocket cost (minus taxes) - $2,435
Cost of a new Mode-C transponder is $1,900 without installation. So if you are in need of a transponder now, shell out another $500 bucks, find an honest installer, and become compliant. I was tempted to go with Garmin but I would have spent more. $634 for the WAAS GPS antenna and $250 for the dual band out antenna. $884 savings with Stratus ESG. I say go for it while the FAA Rebate and the value of your trade-in is still high.
Larry Putnam
