tailBeacon FAQs – uAvionix

FAA contacted me what do I do?

Open a Service Ticket with the following information: Attach the FAA Letter and any PAPR reports that they sent. Verify you have ADS-B software 1.5.1.

How to request an ADS-B performance Report?

ADS-B Performance Report. Once you have completed your flight wait about 1-2 hours before requesting. Make sure you are flying in good coverage area. To understand the Report you can read the FAA Guide.

Does the installation of the tailBeacon require rudder balancing?

tailBeacon weighs 80grams/2.9oz/0.176lbs including 6 of 22AWG. The rebalancing of the rudder will depend on the weight difference between the existing light and the tailBeacon. In many cases, the weight difference is less than 0.5oz

What type of Transponder do I need?

You will need a Mode A/C transponder. A Mode S transponder will not work.

How is the installation tested to ensure it meets the FAA requirements?

Once the tailBeacon has been installed it is required that the equipment be tested to show it meets the FAA requirements for ADS-B OUT.

An Operational Flight Evaluation(often referred to as a performance flight) must be performed and verified by the FAA.

Additionally, the installer may verify performance on the ground using an ADS-B ramp test set. Ramp Test Equipment(ref. section 91.407(c)). Use ramp test equipment (e.g. Aeroflex IFR6000) to verify proper system configuration and compliance with section 91.227 equipment performance requirements.

Operational Flight Evaluation: See next FAQ titled:What does the Operational Flight Evaluation Consist Of?

What does the operational flight evaluation consist of?

(These are the guidelines that were suggested during the FAA rebate program back in 2019. 15-20 minute flights are usually plenty for getting valid ADS-B data)

To summarize the requirements of AC20-165B (see links below): The performance flight should take place for a minimum of 30 minutes from wheels up.

The aircraft should climb to 3,000+ AGL and perform a minimum of 2 360 degree turns in each direction. Banks in excess of 30 degrees and extreme maneuvers and attitudes should be avoided.

Any climb or descent should be a minimum of 1 minute in length. The area of flight should have excellent radar and ADS-B coverage.

Operational FlightEvaluation. Conduct an operational flight evaluation (OFE) per section 91.407(b) and request an FAA ADS-B compliance report.

Reports are available from ADSB PAPRrequest

Flight profile guidance is provided in section 4.3.2 of AC 20-165B

How can I confirm that my tailBeacon is transmitting?

There are 2 ways that you can confirm that you are transmitting. (1) If you have Foreflight and an ADS-B IN unit like a Sentry, you can connect to the device in Foreflight and click on devices, click on the ADS-B in that is displayed. 3/4 of the way down the page you will see Ownship. If it is detected then you are transmitting. This can be checked during flight. (2) Once you flight is done you can pull an ADS-B performance report. This report will show you if you were being picked up by an ADS-B tower. Know that you have to be within 30NM and a high altitude to be seen by the ADS-B tower.

Will the tailBeacon work outside of the U.S.?

A skyBeacon/tailBeacon can legally be used to enter and exit United States airspace. Pilots must also be familiar with and comply with the destination country’s ADS-B rules if applicable.

Why am I not seeing my flights on FlightAware or Flighttrader24?

Flightradar24 and FlightAware are predominately 1090mhz reporting sites. They get their flight data from their own network of 1090 receivers, not from the FAA. The skyBeacon, tailBeacon, and the echoUAT are all on the 978mhz (UAT) frequency. They are working on getting more stations with 978mhz reporting but it will be pretty hit and miss getting accurate data from these sites until they get a wider network of users/receivers. FlightAware will sometimes filter out 978/UAT aircraft if not on an IFR flight plan. File a flight plan to be more likely to show up.

Does the aircraft position/NAV lights need to remain on during all operations?

Yes, the position lights need to remain switched on during all operations. Removing power from the position lights also removes power from skyBeacon and/or tailBeacon. According to 91.225(f) “Each person operating an aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out must operate this equipment in the transmit mode at all times.”

What does the small red LED flashing light mean?

The tailBeacon is searching for GPS satellites. The most likely cause is you may be inside a hangar or do not otherwise have a clear view of the sky. If you are outside with clear view of the sky and it continues to blink the check your grounding.

What does the small solid blue LED mean?

This means that the Wi-Fi on the unit has failed and the unit will need to be sent in for repair or replacement. Please submit a support ticket.

What does the small solid red LED light mean?

Either the unit is not configured or the unit has failed. Connect to the units Wi-Fi and confirm that it has been configured.

Is the tailBeacon a anti-collision light?

No, the tailBeacon is a rear position light only. There is no anti-collision or strobe capability.

Why is there water in my tailBeacon?

The tailBeacon has a static port so that it can sense altitude. As such it is open to the atmosphere so condensation may form. This is normal however there should be no standing water in the unit. The components have a conformal coating to protect them form the moisture. A service loop can be added to help prevent it filling with water. Here is a Video that will help.

Tech Tip Tuesday: tailBeacon Service Loop (Video Transcript)

In this instructional video, the instructors detail the incorporation of a service loop when installing the uAvionix tailbeacon ADS-B unit.

Where the wires enter the unit is also the static port, where the tailBeacon gets its BARO from. Because it’s a static port, it breathes—allowing condensation to form inside the bubble. And that is okay, because there is a conformal coating on the components, that protect those components, from moisture.

However, we do not want standing water in the unit. And with the tail draggers that are dragging their tail on a wet runway or users who may be overzealous with a pressure washer, we can fill the tailBeacon with water.

The service loop intention is to allow the unit to breathe, but still allow the wires to be connected to the unit. Now, the nipple on the endo f this unit is exactly the right size to snug up a piece of vinyl tubing (details: tubing used in video is ID [inside diameter] 3/16”, 5/16” OD, 20 ft long, with a working pressure of 55 PSI @ 70 degrees Fahrenheit.) If you select a vinyl tubing with a 3/16” inside diameter, it will fit snugly over the static port nipple on the tailBeacon.

Next, what you will want to do, is cut a 15–18-inch piece of the tubing and feed the wires through the vinyl tubing. You will want to fit the tubing snuggly over the nipple of the tailBeacon—so snug that you will not need to secure it.

We will then want to form a gentle service loop. You will want to the bottom of the loop facing down. Then you will secure it with a zip tie—you may want to use more than one.

For added safety, we will want to make a weep hole on the very bottom of that loop—just make sure that you do not drill through the wires. This weep hole will be a precaution, in the case that water does get in there, it will drip out to the bottom of the hole.

This will allow the air to go through a static port and the wires are in there. So you will officially have the tailBeacon service loop.

How can I troubleshoot my tailBeacon?

Request an ADS-B performance report. Common failures are: NIC – Please read the GPS troubleshooting guide uAvionix skyBeacon-tailBeacon GPS Performance Troubleshooting UAV-1004106-001 [ Revision B – 4/21/20 ]. BALT – If this is 100% then you will need to contact support and submit a ticket. Mode 3A failure – Check that the software has been updated to 1.5.1 Air on Ground – Check the the Vso is set correctly to the stall speed of the aircraft.

The tailBeacon light does not light up how do I fix it?

Make sure you connect to the app and confirm that the light has been enabled.

APP Issues

If you cannot get the phone or tablet to connect to the Wi-Fi OR it says “Incorrect password” OR it is stuck on the opening page, please try these steps: (1) Turn off the power to the Beacon. (2) Close ALL apps on your device (On Apple devices that involves swiping the app away and Androids require a Force close). (3) Turn on Airplane mode (This will turn off Wi-Fi on most devices so you will need to turn it back on. The main reason for doing this is to stop cellular data from being transmitted and interfering with the lower power Wi-Fi signal. If you have a newer Samsung phone, we have seen instances where the Bluetooth also needs to be turned off). (4) Power on the Beacon product (You now have 5 minutes to connect to the Beacon before the Wi-Fi shuts off. Once connected it will stay active until you get airborne). (5) Open the Wi-Fi page of the smart device (Located under Settings for Apple devices and Connections for Android users) (6) When you see the Beacon-XXXX Wi-Fi SSID pop up, tap it and enter the passphrase EXACTLY as printed on the supplied card or sticker. (7) Wait until it shows connected (You will get a note about No internet connection. This is normal). (8) Now open the skyBeacon app, it will open to the Monitor page. Enter your aircraft information. (9) If this is still not working, you may need to have the aircraft outside.

How do I find my tailBeacon Password?

The tailBeacon passcode can be found with either the units serial number or Wi-Fi SSID. With this information you can use our password tool on the support page of uAvionix.com.

How is my device protected form theft?

The certified skyBeacon and tailBeacon feature a unique password secured configuration interface via Wi-Fi. A user must enter the password to change the device configuration including the aircraft ICAO and callsign. The password is unique to the device, and once configured, cannot be reconfigured for another aircraft without that password. The password is essentially an anti-theft key, and should be kept secure with aircraft record. There are no external markings or indications on the skyBeacon or tailBeacon to indicate the password. uAvionix will be able to provide the password if lost provided proof of purchase can be validated.

ATC reports that they are seeing me as two aircraft, what is the cause"?

The most likely cause is that your tailBeacon is not in sync with your transponder. The transponder transmits your squawk code on 1090 MHz, the tailBeacon transmits on 978 mhz. If the tailBeacon does not “see” your transponder it transmits “0000” (with 1.5.1 software) while your transponder may be transmitting “1200”. Please adjust the transponder monitor threshold to so that the tailBeacon shows the same squawk code that is on your transponder. You can also refer to this article about adjusting the threshold.

How do I update my tailBeacon software?

Please follow our Service Bulletin. If you only have a tablet or smart device you can use this method.

I still have questions. Where do I go for customer support?

For additional customer support, please submit a Support Ticket to the uAvionix customer support team.

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Tech Tip Tuesday: tailBeacon Service Loop (Video Transcript)

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