Over the past year or so uAvionix made a name for itself with the innovative skyBeacon and tailBeacon ADS-B Out solutions. These 978 MHz UAT devices, intended to replace a wingtip strobe and tail light, respectively, proved popular for owners wanting a cost-effective way to get ADS-B compliance without having to invest in a new transponder or install other equipment inside the aircraft.
With the tailBeaconX, we can now see that these products were just a run-up in the company’s product-development plans. Where the previous UAT devices would be fine for domestic U.S. compliance below 18,000 feet, they wouldn’t work in Canada or into the flight levels; for that, you need a 1090 MHz Mode S transponder. And that’s exactly what the tailBeaconX is. Moreover, uAvionix is working on Aireon compatibility—the GPS-based ADS-B equivalent Canada is considering.