uAvionix has received FAA Technical Standard Order Authorization (TSOA) for its tailBeaconX 1090MHz ADS-B Out transponder. The integrated device, which replaces a rear navigation light, includes and combines transponder, ADS-B Out, SBAS GPS and rear LED position light.

tailBeaconX is Aireon compatible and designed as a globally compliant, easily installed ADS-B Out solution for general aviation and UAM, meeting current and future 1090MHz ADS-B mandates. Specifically built to offer maximum compatibility with both ground and space-based ADS-B receivers used by over 18 air navigation service providers (ANSP) world-wide, tailBeaconX was extensively tested with Aireon and Nav Canada. Significantly increased performance levels were observed over traditional bottom-mount antenna installations, including at lower altitudes and during surface movements.

“Combining a LED rear position light replacement, a 1090MHz Mode S ES ADS-B Out transponder, SBAS GPS position source and a dipole antenna into a single package was a major feat for our team, resulting in a major cost reduction to our customers,” explains Ryan Braun, COO of uAvionix. “Weighing only 140 grams, taking no critical panel space, while incorporating its own antennas, the path to ADS-B compliance is significantly simplified for a large group of aircraft.”

Safety benefits for SAR operations are magnified with tailBeaconX. As described in an AOPA article, the U.S. Civil Air Patrol uses Aireon data to pinpoint an aircraft's last known location, thus reducing search areas and shaving minutes or hours off of rescue efforts.

A traditional transponder and ADS-B system share a single, bottom-mounted antenna, which requires line of sight to ground-based receivers. This presents a problem, however, for space-based receivers, since the aircraft itself can block the signal to the satellite. Not so with tailBeaconX. Its dipole antenna pattern, unobstructed by the aircraft fuselage, resembles what a top and bottom monopole antenna would yield, but at significantly reduced equipment and installation cost as compared to a diversity transponder.