Last year Trig Avionics were the first company in the world to achieve FAA TSO C166b certification for their 1090ES ADS-B Out transponders.
Recently, a Trig TT22 compact transponder was used to create a compliant ADS-B Out solution, installed in a Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopter for offshore use. This underlines the real world conditions that Trig ADS-B equipment is successfully operating in. The accompanying STC proves Trig’s suitability to the toughest circumstances in commercial aviation.
The FAA requires all certified aircraft to have initial STC approval for ADS-B Out installations. Trig has a rolling STC program and is continuing to expand its STC AML to include further aircraft and GPS units that can be used with our transponders, see www.trig-avionics/us-adsb.html. There is also a FAA field approval process for those wishing to add their own aircraft types.
Andy Davis, Trig CEO said “It’s been an exciting year for Trig – in the U.S. we now have STCs for both metal and fabric airplane types and Bristow Helicopters added the recent rotary STC. Peregrine of Denver are our STC partners and they’ve been working closely with the FAA to significantly expand the airplane models which can operate Trig’s 1090ES ADS-B Out transponders as ‘2020 compliant’ ADS-B installs.
On the other side of the world, in Australia, ADS-B flight trials have been conducted by Pacific Avionics.This initiative proved Trig’s compatibility with popular Garmin GPS units. Brad Granger, Head of Engineering at Pacific Avionics said. “We used a Trig TT31 transponder with the latest Trig 3.4 software integrated with our GNS 530W Garmin avionics. We’ve shown that Trig technology works in our own airspace, providing the visibility and accuracy of surveillance that pilots want to have and it delivered faultless performance.”
A similar program is ongoing currently with Peregrine to secure Garmin compatibility in the U.S.
The STC process has also shown that Trig ADS-B equipment performs well under extreme conditions. A Pitts S1-D was fitted with a TT22 transponder and WAAS GPS. Flying a series of aerobatic manoeuvres, including loops, hammerheads and barrel rolls the airplane was simultaneously tracked by ADS-B ground stations. Andy Davis explained, “At no point was the transponder signal lost or integrity compromised. We were fascinated by the results, pulling +6g was not part of our formal STC application but it certainly proves that Trig technology is dependable!”