SkyEcho2 Portable ADS-B IN/OUT Now Approved in Australia

The SkyEcho2 portable ADS-B transceiver has been accepted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as an approved Electronic Conspicuity (EC) Device as an enhancement to “See and Be Seen” from 16th July, 2020.

SkyEcho2 is the world’s first commercially available portable ADS-B IN and OUT system. Complete with an integrated TSO certified SBAS GPS and barometric altimeter, SkyEcho2 transmits your aircraft location, altitude, and identification via 1090MHz ADS-B, enabling you to be seen by nearby aircraft equipped with an ADS-B receiver. In Australia, the integrated ADS-B IN receiver connects wirelessly to your favourite Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) application adhering to an industry-standard protocol for ADS-B traffic – including OzRunways and AvPlan EFB.

SkyEcho2 brings the safety benefits of ADS-B to the cockpit without the high cost of installation. As unmanned systems are increasingly equipping with ADS-B receivers as a Detect and Avoid (DAA) technology – broadcasting your location via ADS-B enables the drone to remain well clear of your location, keeping the skies safer through cooperative communication.

Under the Civil Aviation Order 20.18 Amendment, new standards have been published to encourage voluntary use of ADS-B OUT systems on Visual Flight Rules (VFR) aircraft. The aim of the amendment is to reduce the costs of installing air-to-air surveillance technology in VFR aircraft with a view to enhancing the basic VFR safety principle of “see and avoid.” In addition to the approval of EC devices like SkyEcho2, the use of non-certified ADS-B enabled transponders like tailBeaconX – EXP is permitted on experimental and light sport aircraft (LSA).

Christian Ramsey, President uAvionix Corporation said “We’ve been working with CASA for over two years on this effort. We are thrilled with CASA’s progress and recognition of the benefits of ADS-B to all airspace users.”

SkyEcho2 is immediately available in Australia at uAvionix.com.au and other Australian resellers, which can be found at uavionix.com.au/resellers/.