Skybeacon on DA42 NG?

Any DA42 related topics.

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arksat
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Skybeacon on DA42 NG?

Post by arksat »

Today I found a DA42 NG with Skybeacon installed.
It's sitting on a custom (?) aluminum mount with a tail LED light. It's nicely done. I didn't know Skybeacon works with G1000 system.
skybeacon.jpg
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Rich
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Re: Skybeacon on DA42 NG?

Post by Rich »

These really only integrate in a fuzzy fashion with the transponder, so no surprise it would work. It's not obvious why this approach was taken. Were there DA42NG's shipped without ADS-B out? Were there any shipped without WAAS? In the latter case, a GTX33 can be converted to ADSB for less than the cost of a Sky Beacon.
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Steve
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Re: Skybeacon on DA42 NG?

Post by Steve »

I'm curious as to what was involved in getting the FAA to sign off on that modification. I was originally thinking of doing something similar for my DA40, but ultimately went with the GDL82 instead, mainly because of the rear position light issue.
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Chris B
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Re: Skybeacon on DA42 NG?

Post by Chris B »

Steve wrote: Sun Jul 12, 2020 6:37 pm I'm curious as to what was involved in getting the FAA to sign off on that modification. I was originally thinking of doing something similar for my DA40, but ultimately went with the GDL82 instead, mainly because of the rear position light issue.
Depending on the IA, there is a large gray area regarding what qualifies as a "minor" modification. Using TSO'd parts also helps, which is otherwise a common barrier to adding components.

Some FSDOs (not ours!!) are also apparently reasonable about 337 approval. Particularly if they have a previously-established (IOW trusting) relationship with an installer.

Chris
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neema
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Re: Skybeacon on DA42 NG?

Post by neema »

They were going for the new split winglet design

Image
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Davestation
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Re: Skybeacon on DA42 NG?

Post by Davestation »

Chris B wrote: Sun Jul 12, 2020 8:51 pm
Steve wrote: Sun Jul 12, 2020 6:37 pm I'm curious as to what was involved in getting the FAA to sign off on that modification. I was originally thinking of doing something similar for my DA40, but ultimately went with the GDL82 instead, mainly because of the rear position light issue.
Depending on the IA, there is a large gray area regarding what qualifies as a "minor" modification. Using TSO'd parts also helps, which is otherwise a common barrier to adding components.

Some FSDOs (not ours!!) are also apparently reasonable about 337 approval. Particularly if they have a previously-established (IOW trusting) relationship with an installer.

Chris

There is nothing minor about the skyBeacon, it’s an STC and requires a 337 even for planes on the AML. But since the FAA memo about not needing field approval for ADS-b, these can be installed as a follow-on to similar aircraft for which it was approved.

Having said that, nothing about this is approved. For starters it is not like a standard installation in another plane and there is no approved data for adding a position light to it. The most glaring issue however is the fact that the added light is completely homemade.
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Colin
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Re: Skybeacon on DA42 NG?

Post by Colin »

The most glaring issue ...
You can get a pretty inexpensive "EXPERIMENTAL" sticker set on Spruce.
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