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SkyBeacon Retrofits: Two Upgrades in One

Lets be realistic-when it comes to avionics installations there isn't much that can be done in an hour, except getting the aircraft in the hangar and the toolbox rolled out. But since its introduction a couple of years ago, its been said that the now STC-approved and TSO-certified uAvionix skyBeacon wingtip ADS-B Out/LED lighting device is the one-hour ticket to complying with the 2020 mandate.

Larry Anglisano
Verified

Let’s be realistic—when it comes to avionics installations there isn’t much that can be done in an hour, except getting the aircraft in the hangar and the toolbox rolled out. But since its introduction a couple of years ago, it’s been said that the now STC-approved and TSO-certified uAvionix skyBeacon wingtip ADS-B Out/LED lighting device is the one-hour ticket to complying with the 2020 mandate. The company even advertises the product as a “no install” solution.

To see just how long a mandate-compliant skyBeacon install really takes, we spent some time on the shop floor—with labor timer running—and followed along with a skyBeacon project. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t a one-hour deal.

Larry Anglisano

Editor in Chief Larry Anglisano has been a staple at Aviation Consumer since 1995. An active land, sea and glider pilot, Larry has over 30 years’ experience as an avionics repairman and flight test pilot. He’s the editorial director overseeing sister publications Aviation Safety magazine, IFR magazine and is a regular contributor to KITPLANES magazine with his Avionics Bootcamp column.