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0. 08:08 AM - Value of the List... (Matt Dralle)
1. 05:48 AM - Re: NavWorx FAA Notice (Tim Olson)
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| Subject: | Value of the List... |
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| Subject: | Re: NavWorx FAA Notice |
I don't think it's as complicated as replacing the units completely.
Now, this is just opinion combined with a little historical knowledge,
but...
First of all, there was a "B" unit, and a "BG" Unit. The BG uses a
modular GPS that is, or is functionally, the FreeFlight 1201 GPS, which
is certified. The B units used another GPS module. (This next
statement is an educated guess/opinion) ** The B unit GPS is likely
a GPS that is of newer design, as the 1201 is a fairly old/slow GPS
module in the year 2016....my FreeFlight 1201 in one of my planes is
a very old GPS, and things like time-to-satellite-lock are much
slower than the GPS's you can get today. And GPS's today have become
much more accurate, and able to track more satellites. My guess is
that the B unit GPS, while never certified, is likely a "Better" GPS
than the 1201 module. I believe that they probably did a lot of
testing and realized that the GPS module performance specs met and
exceeded the TSO, and that they probably obtained some local
handshake approval to use it as 2020 compliant. But, I'm guessing
that others at the Feds later did not agree. So that's probably
why there would be legal wrangling over it...and why you would
see statements from both sides, one saying it's safe and good and
one saying it's not.
I've had a NavWorX box since at least 2010, but even flew them in 2009.
From that time forward the way they were being sold is this:
(paraphrased)
"You can buy the B unit or buy the BG unit. The BG unit is certified,
but the cost on the GPS module is high right now. We expect the cost
to drop later, when we order in quantity. So you can fly it as-is
right now, before 2020, but before the 2020 mandate kicks in you can
upgrade the GPS, because it's modular and is a snap in replacement,
at a later date. If you want it certified TODAY just buy the BG
module but you will pay more."
That was the way the units were sold a few years ago. Of course,
for us experimentals, once they tested the GPS's fully and got
the handshake that they met the specs, they probably decided at that
point to say they were good to go for 2020 compliancy for us
with experimentals. And realistically, for all of us who fly with
them, if we're flying a model, in our experimental, that meets and/or
exceeds the TSO, we should be happy with that. But the feds
of course like to be hard nosed with things like this. Personally,
I think they should bend on this one. It's THEM that wants to push
this system out to all aircraft so badly, and they should be as
reasonable as they can be to try to get all of the homebuilt community
to equip. In fact, I would even say that in my opinion, they should
look at making it easier to get GPS's approved under the TSO so
that we can all take advantage of newer/faster/more reliable GPS's
as soon as possible, rather than relying on legacy hardware.
The short answer to the end of the story is this... For people who
are losing sleep over the constant barrage of news on this, you do
have one easy choice. Call NavWorX and ask them if you can pay
to have your box upgraded to the BG version of GPS module. I don't
remember what the upcharge is, but it's well under $1000...maybe
$400-600...not sure. But at that point you would be free of worry.
For me, I am happily flying my systems, in 2 aircraft, for a long
time now and they work well. And, we're still a few years pre-2020,
so I'd rather sit back and wait to see what happens. I would be
cautious at this point, on doing any firmware updates without
knowing what they do. If you're running the current version,
you should be receiving good test reports back when you verify
them. But depending on what happens in this fight, and upgrade could
take that away from you. So don't do any upgrades without
knowing what the affect on your compliance will be.
Tim
On 11/22/2016 7:00 PM, Bob Bales wrote:
> EAA has also gotten involved because they believe this is an over-reach
> by the FAA for experimental aircraft. My system is up and running also,
> I am waiting for the final decision before thinking of an alternative.
> I would think NavWorx will have to make good on the existing units if
> they are not acceptable. Perhaps they could replace our experimental
> units with the certified units the FAA has approved.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From: *"Ralph E. Capen" <recapen@earthlink.net>
> *To: *avionics-list@matronics.com, rv-list@matronics.com
> *Sent: *Tuesday, November 22, 2016 4:47:22 PM
> *Subject: *RV-List: NavWorx FAA Notice
>
> Just read the FAA press release regarding the -012 and -013 version
> NavWorx boxes.
>
>
> Trying to figure out what it means for those of us that have them
> installed and running.
>
>
> Can we still use them? If not, then what?!
>
>
> Anybody on the Fed site monitoring this list?
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ralph Capen
>
>
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