Pilot Report: flying with the Garmin GDL 39 ADS-B receiver

Transcription

1 Tips and tricks News Apps Accessories Top 12 ipad Tips ipad FAQs Webinars Signup Shop Home / Accessories / Pilot Report: flying with the Garmin GDL 39 ADS-B receiver 14 August 2012 Accessories 26 comments Garmin generated a lot of buzz last month with the release of the GDL 39, a portable GPS and ADS-B traffic and weather receiver. This small antenna receives the signals from ADS-B ground stations in the US, and then wirelessly sends the data using Bluetooth to an ipad running the Garmin Pilot app. Along with the release of the GDL 39 Garmin also made a significant update to the Garmin Pilot app to support these new features, and they did an excellent job with the hardware/software integration.

2 For this product test we flew with both the Garmin GDL 39 and the Stratus from Sporty s. The Equipment To test out the Garmin GDL 39 we recently flew a trip in a Piper Aztec from Cincinnati, OH, to Akron, OH. The weather was forecast to be VFR for the flight, though there was a good deal of precipitation just south of our route in Kentucky a good test to check out the ADS-B weather radar display on the Garmin app. We also brought along a Stratus ADS-B receiver to compare the weather information with ForeFlight Mobile. It was easy to connect to both devices to the same ipad since the GDL 39 uses Bluetooth and Stratus uses Wifi. The Aztec is equipped with a Garmin GTN750 panel mount GPS navigator that, among other things, displays traffic from an active-interrogation traffic advisory system (TAS). This displays ALL the nearby traffic (regardless of radar or ADS-B coverage), and allowed us to accurately assess what percentage of traffic was actually being displayed by the portable Garmin ADS-B system. An important thing to remember with ADS-B traffic is that it s not continuously broadcast to all aircraft like the weather products. Rather, you must be equipped with a certified/installed ADS-B Out system in order for the traffic picture to be sent back to you. But with the deadline for ADS-B out equipage still 6 years away, very few aircraft have this capability. So the only traffic you will most likely see when using the GDL 39 are those airplanes equipped with ADS-B Out (specifically those with 1090 ES transponders, which are typically airliners). This is no fault of the Garmin s system, just a reality in this early phase of ADS-B adoption. ADS-B traffic is a complicated subject, and we ll have more information on traffic in an upcoming post. Garmin also has some great information at their ADS-B Academy educational site. ADS-B Traffic Performance

3 The dedicated traffic page on this flight was only showing aircraft equipped with 1090 ES transponders, which were typically airliners (FedEx flight 1780 in this example). After pairing the GDL 39 with the Garmin app you ll see a new option in the Home menu to bring up the dedicated traffic view. This sophisticated traffic display is very similar to what s shown on Garmin s panel mount traffic systems. You can configure several options here, including altitude filters to show unrestricted traffic, traffic above (useful during climbs), a normal view setting (useful during cruise), and a traffic below view (useful during descents). You can also toggle the motion vector originating from the traffic to show either a relative vector (TargetTrend is what Garmin calls it) or absolute vector. The relative vector is particularly useful since it shows the aircraft s motion relative to your position and groundspeed. For example, if you were overtaking an aircraft that was heading in the same direction as you but at a slower ground speed, the relative vector would actually be pointed opposite its direction of flight indicating that you are overtaking the aircraft. You can also tap any of the traffic targets to display N#, direction, ground speed, pressure altitude, climb/descent rate and closure information. Traffic can also be displayed on the moving map, and this overlay is enabled with a setting located under the Menu button in the upper right corner of the screen. At the upper left of the map are status icons to indicate what type of traffic you are receiving, either Air-to-Air targets coming directly from aircraft equipped with 1090 ES out or TIS-B traffic originating from ADS-B ground stations. Since the Aztec does not have ADS-B Out capability and cannot ping the ADS-B ground stations for the TIS-B traffic picture, we only saw a few traffic targets show up with the system for the entire flight.

4 The Garmin GTN active traffic (left) shows all in-range targets over Columbus, while the ADS-B traffic picture Garmin app (right) displayed no traffic. We were able to see all in-range traffic targets on the installed Garmin active-traffic system in the Aztec, and probably 5 10% of those showed up through the GDL 39 on the Garmin app. All but 1 of the traffic targets were airliners transitioning the terminal areas, and the 1 GA aircraft that did show up was about 70 miles away. At one point while passing through the Columbus Class C airspace we had 5 airplanes show up on the installed traffic system, while the ADS-B display on the Garmin app showed none of them. And we had 2 traffic callouts from ATC near Cleveland that showed on the installed active traffic system, but again neither showed up over ADS-B. This is no fault of the GDL 39, but just goes to show that a portable ADS-B traffic system provides a very incomplete traffic picture unless you have ADS-B out in your aircraft. ADS-B Weather Performance Most pilots will buy the Garmin GDL 39 for it s subscription-free ADS-B weather capability, and the performance of this feature is excellent. The system began receiving data from ground stations just a few hundred feet after takeoff from the Cincinnati area, and began displaying regional radar not The ADS-B weather performance was similar on both the ForeFlight app with Stratus (left)

5 and the Garmin Pilot app with GDL 39 (right). Note that the radar opacity was lowered slightly on ForeFlight when the screens were saved. long after. Similar to the ForeFlight/Stratus combo, the weather products can be displayed right on the moving map on top of sectional and en route charts. One thing to take note of is that there are two options for radar on the map overlay settings you need to choose the 2nd option called Radar (FIS-B). The Radar option shows internet-based weather radar when on the ground. And like ForeFlight/Stratus, the Garmin app combines the 250NM regional radar and national radar picture seamlessly with the same overlay toggle. See the screen at the right comparing the the same weather side by side (the radar opacity is turned down slightly on ForeFlight). Garmin GDL 39 status page in the Garmin Pilot app. The map depicts location and signal strength of ADS-B ground stations. The Garmin app displays all the ADS-B weather products, including NEXRAD radar, METARs, TAFs, Winds Aloft, Pireps, TFRs, Airmets/Sigmets and NOTAMs. The status page provides complete system information, including GDL 39 battery status (if installed), weather age, type and number of of traffic targets received, and even a map showing number, location and signal strength of ADS-B stations from which you re receiving data. This is a handy display for tracking when you might fly out of ADS-B coverage. One unique feature of the GDL 39 is that it continually caches the weather data to the antenna s internal memory. This means you don t have to keep the Garmin app active throughout the entire flight; once it wakes up from sleep mode or is switched to from another app, the GDL 39 will automatically send the latest weather data and not have to wait for the next data transmission from the

6 ADS-B ground stations. Garmin Pilot can also loop the radar image, so you get an idea of a storm s movement. Conclusion At $799 the GDL 39 is in the same price range as other portable ADS-B receivers on the market, and has the added benefit of integrating both 978 UAT and 1090 ES receivers for traffic. As mentioned above though, you will only see a small percentage of nearby traffic unless you are equipped with a compliant ADS-B transponder in your aircraft. The weather reception was nearly identical to Stratus, and the tight integration with the Garmin app is a big plus. One other feature that may be of interest is the GDL 39 can display weather on Garmin portable GPSs in addition to the ipad, including the entire aera series, the 696/695 and 796/795. This is a nice way to get some added value out of an older GPS you may have sitting on the shelf. A different part number should be ordered for this application. Garmin offers an optional battery for those who don t have access to 12/24v power in their airplanes, and they re even tossing in the battery for free if you order before August 31. Click here for more info on the Garmin GDL 39. Related Posts Garmin Pilot app Garmin Pilot app ADS-B traffic pilot Garmin introduces Garmin introduces adds new ADS-B updated with report GLO GPS for ipad, ADS-B weather features and iphone ADS-B & split iphone and Android receiver for ipad, 5 support screen support Android and Garmin portables Tags: garmin, gdl-39 Tweet 2 3 Like 5 26 Comments

7 Charles Bowser on Aug 27, 2012 at 7:53 am You refer to transponders with ADS-B capability. Name some and their prices. Hope they are not too expensive. John Zimmerman on Aug 27, 2012 at 8:49 am Charles, the easiest option is a Garmin GTX 330 (if you happen to have one). This can be upgraded for about $1200 to ADS-B Out. Garmin also recently introduced the GDL-88, which will be available soon. It will cost around $ Todd on Sep 01, 2012 at 10:17 pm You also need a GNS430/530 product, for example, I am fortunate to have a 530W to just do the GTX330 upgrade. Even then, a shielded cabled must be added from the 53OW to/from the GTX330 with the ES upgrade to get the ADS-B data. Chris on Aug 27, 2012 at 8:52 am Garmin sells the GTX 330es which runs around $5000 not including installation. I think that s about an average price for other manufacturers as well.

8 Nader Balata on Aug 31, 2012 at 10:20 am Hey John, enlightening! I just bought the GDL 39 and it s great. Quick question do you need the difference between the traffic data provided by ground stations vs. aircraft? There isn t anything online stating either way. Thanks John Zimmerman on Sep 02, 2012 at 9:57 am Nader, the only data provided by aircraft is the ones with ADS-B Out. The grounds stations show all Mode C aircraft, which is a lot more. So you could get by with only the ground station traffic, but not with only the air-to-air. Chad Stettler on Sep 05, 2012 at 9:50 am I live in Idaho and was researching purchasing either the Stratus/Foreflight or Garmin GDL39/Garmin app for my ipad. This is the first webpage discussion that I have heard that ADS-B does not work in Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Montana, most of the places I fly!! Can anyone expand on that?? Also I have a Garmin GTX330, does the $1200 upgrade include parts and labor or just parts?? Thanks John Zimmerman on Sep 05, 2012 at 10:12 am

9 Chad, the ADS-B network is not complete. They are still building towers, and some areas in the West have little or no coverage right now. You can find the coverage map here: Todd on Sep 05, 2012 at 9:56 am Chad I am doing the exact same thing. I also have a GTX330. I have ed back and forth with Garmin Aviation Support. They say a Garmin dealer must send off the GTX330 for the upgrade to ES. But that s not all. A shielded cable must be added to feed the data from the Garmin 530W to the GTX330ES. To answer that question, I guess I need to contact a Garmin dealer. I am probably going to get the Garmin GDL39/app or Stratus/Foreflight. I also trying to find out the subscription cost for the app plus geo-referencing. Chad Stettler on Sep 05, 2012 at 10:42 am I just talked to my Garmin rep in Idaho Falls. He is going to a conference in Vegas next week were he believes he will learn a lot. He has not done an upgrade on the 330 yet. I had read about the shielded cable which he said is not a major deal, but I don t think he knew the unit had to be sent in to Garmin, I didn t. I have a 530 and Mx20 and can use XM weather but I was wanting to get away from the monthly fee. I live 1/2 the time in Idaho and 1/2 in Arizona so I still think I will go with the stratus or Garmin GDL39. After much reading I still can t decide which. Think currently Foreflight has the edge but Garmin might catch up. Which one are you leaning towards?? Johan Vandenbussche on Sep 28, 2012 at 12:38 am

10 Hi, can the GTX330 with es also been connected to the 695/696 series? Ken on Oct 07, 2012 at 9:08 am I just purchased the GLD 39 and using my area 795 to display ADS B. ADS B weather worked perfect. I also have a Garmin 530W and 330 transponder. I will have my avionics shop send off my 330 to upgrade to 330ES then I will expect to see ADS B traffic. I will continue to use foreflight however for more for flight planning and back up in the air. I like the foreflight geo referenced approach plates. Richard on Oct 20, 2012 at 3:51 pm I have the GLD 39. The Nexrad radar is a little blocky compared with the Foreflight unit. This on an ipad 3. And the battery life stinks! Around 4 hours is it. I can stretch it out by turning the unit off during long cruises, but that sort of defeats the purpose. Todd Fuller on Oct 20, 2012 at 8:10 pm Richard thanks for sharing. You get 4 hours of battery life for your ipad 3, or, 4 hours on the GDL39? I think you mean GDL39, but just want to be sure. Also, anybody out there know how to get the Panel to work for Garmin Pilot while using Droid? I have the App Manual for Garmin Pilot and read through it today. It shows how to switch the Split-Screen to show the Panel, but, while using my Droid (Lenovo Thinkpad) with Garmin Pilot, one can not see any option for the Panel.

11 Thanks John Zimmerman on Oct 22, 2012 at 9:30 am Todd, as of today, the panel page is not available on Android. Todd Fuller on Oct 22, 2012 at 10:00 am Hopefully, Garmin will add the Panel page for Droid soon. Tom Redman on Dec 01, 2012 at 5:38 pm Hello, I have a garmin 430w, a Garmin 330 and an MX20 MFD. With the 330 conversion, can the ADS-B information be displayed on the MX20 throught the 430W? I also use a 696 for XM weather i flight; if I do away with the XM weather, is the 696 a better option for a larger screen? Thanks, Tom Mark Thompson

12 on Dec 06, 2012 at 5:44 pm Does either of these devices work in aircraft with heated windshields? neil on Dec 11, 2012 at 8:13 am hey i have garmin pilot on my i pad and a 396 also will this hook up to the 396? thanks John Zimmerman on Dec 12, 2012 at 9:47 am The GDL 39 will only show traffic on the 396, and only 4 traffic targets. No ADS-B weather. To me, that makes it a pretty bad deal (for this model GPS works great on ipad). Capt Gary on Dec 21, 2012 at 3:01 pm Any chance, Garmin will throw in a battery soon? My 60th BD is tomorrow (I m off to the Bahamas in the Skylane) & I would like to order a GDL 39 to go along with my Nexus7 & Pilot app :) That would be a great BirfDay present! Don Blakey

13 on Dec 29, 2012 at 1:54 pm I have a 496 and buy weather from XM, did I see weather may work on the 496 unit but I would need to order the GLD 39 with a different number? John Zimmerman on Dec 29, 2012 at 2:25 pm Don, the GDL 39 will work fine on the 496. You just have to plug it in with a wire. Here s the unit you would need: Add a comment Your Name Your Website required required optional Comment Submit Comment Subscribe to comments

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